City Builders - Talking with Urbanist, Robert Freedman | City Builders Ep.34

In this City Builders Podcast, Mark and Dorian have an in-depth discussion with theri long time friend and colleague, Robert Freedman.

Robert was the Director of Urban Design for the City of Toronto, for over a decade, assisting in guiding much of the intense development of that city.

Enjoy an interesting discussion as three City Builders talk towers, zoning, visioning, growth, and how a very active city manages development issues
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NOTE: Photos and videos taken by Mark Nickita, FAIA and Dorian Moore, FAIA unless otherwise noted. Some images provided by Robert Freedman.

Please join the City Builders, LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the channel
and SHARE this episode with others!

@CityBuildersLog
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City Builders hosts:

Mark Nickita, FAIA
President of Archive DS, Detroit + Toronto.
Architects, Urban Designers, City Builders

Dorian Moore, FAIA
Vice President of Archive DS, Detroit + Toronto.
Architects, Urban Designers, City Builders

Mark Nickita, FAIA and Dorian Moore, FAIA lead Archive DS, a distinctly unique urban design, architectural, planning and development consulting practice. Archive DS travels the globe studying and documenting urban development for use in practice in cities around North America.

They are City Builders.

Archive DS [Design Studio] is an award-winning team of urban specialists focused on re-establishing post-industrial cities and urban sites, with a primary emphasis on the Lake Belt Region of North America. Through architecture, urban design, civic leadership, entrepreneurial activity, lecturing and global urban research, Archive DS has established a reputation as experts regarding the enhancement of the built environment and their various challenges.

The firm’s partners also serve as a resource on urban issues, as civic and professional leaders for local and national media outlets. Their professional experience has encompassed many aspects of city-making. These include major civic projects, adaptive reuse buildings, innovative mixed-use developments and historic renovations as well as the creation of design and economic strategies, urban visioning, and Placemaking, in addition to working as developers and the branding of projects and urban districts.

Mark Nickita, FAIA and Dorian Moore, FAIA are available to assist in the development of building and urban design projects. They often team up with other firms and consult with development groups and municipalities. They have also presented and lectured for numerous groups on a variety of urban issues and topics throughout North America.

contact info:
www. ArchiveDS.com
info@ArchiveDS.com
313.963.6687
________________________________________________________
Music for video Intro and Outro:
"Changers"
written and performed by Curtainwall

Curtainwall is:
Dave Baker - Guitars
Mike Gusway - Bass
Mark Nickita - Drums+Vocals
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Fair Use Disclaimer
The content shared on this channel may include copyrighted material used for commentary, criticism, news reporting, teaching, research, or education purposes. All such use falls under the guidelines of Fair Use under Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. § 107). We do not claim ownership of any third-party images, video clips, or audio featured in this channel’s content. All rights remain with their respective owners.

Copyright ©︎ 2026 City Builders, Mark Nickita, Dorian Moore. All Rights Reserved.

Here is a City Builders episode with a focus on housing issues.

Housing in North American cities has been a hot topic for discussion and has had some zoning activity and rethinking over recent years. Housing costs have been increasing and many feel that the idea of buying a house is becoming out of reach. Renting a residential unit is also becoming notably costly and has caused anxiety for many, especially younger people entering the work force and starting families.

What are the drivers of this housing cost increase?

What options are there for addressing the issue?

How is the current situation different than years ago when housing was more accessible for the young and growing families?

What is going on with the cost of housing and how does size factor in?

Join Mark and Dorian for this discussion about housing history and the current reality. They also reference their relevant Archive DS projects and share personal experiences growing up in Detroit neighborhoods and family housing insights.
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NOTE: All photos and videos shown in this episode were taken by Mark Nickita, FAIA and Dorian Moore, FAIA except as noted. We do not claim ownership of any third-party images, if unintentionally included, in this channel’s content. All rights remain with their respective owners.

Please join the City Builders, LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the channel
and SHARE this episode with others!

@CityBuildersLog
______________________________________________________________________
City Builders hosts:

Mark Nickita, FAIA
President of Archive DS, Detroit + Toronto.
Architects, Urban Designers, City Builders

Dorian Moore, FAIA
Vice President of Archive DS, Detroit + Toronto.
Architects, Urban Designers, City Builders

Mark Nickita, FAIA and Dorian Moore, FAIA lead Archive DS, a distinctly unique urban design, architectural, planning and development consulting practice. Archive DS travels the globe studying and documenting urban development for use in practice in cities around North America.

They are City Builders.

Archive DS [Design Studio] is an award-winning team of urban specialists focused on re-establishing post-industrial cities and urban sites, with a primary emphasis on the Lake Belt Region of North America. Through architecture, urban design, civic leadership, entrepreneurial activity, lecturing and global urban research, Archive DS has established a reputation as experts regarding the enhancement of the built environment and their various challenges.

The firm’s partners also serve as a resource on urban issues, as civic and professional leaders for local and national media outlets. Their professional experience has encompassed many aspects of city-making. These include major civic projects, adaptive reuse buildings, innovative mixed-use developments and historic renovations as well as the creation of design and economic strategies, urban visioning, and Placemaking, in addition to working as developers and the branding of projects and urban districts.

Mark Nickita, FAIA and Dorian Moore, FAIA are available to assist in the development of building and urban design projects. They often team up with other firms and consult with development groups and municipalities. They have also presented and lectured for numerous groups on a variety of urban issues and topics throughout North America.

contact info:
www. ArchiveDS.com
info@ArchiveDS.com
313.963.6687
________________________________________________________
Music for video Intro and Outro:
"Changers"
written and performed by Curtainwall

Curtainwall is:
Dave Baker - Guitars
Mike Gusway - Bass
Mark Nickita - Drums+Vocals
________________________________________________________
Fair Use Disclaimer
The content shared on this channel may include copyrighted material used for commentary, criticism, news reporting, teaching, research, or education purposes. All such use falls under the guidelines of Fair Use under Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. § 107). We do not claim ownership of any third-party images, video clips, or audio featured in this channel’s content. All rights remain with their respective owners.

Copyright ©︎ 2026 City Builders, Mark Nickita, Dorian Moore. All Rights Reserved.

Many believe that the greatest cities are in full 4 season climates. In this City Builders episode, Mark and Dorian emphasize the many ways in which cities embrace the spring, summer, autumn and winter months.

From sitting in a shady Detroit public space during a warm summer day to springtime in Paris, a walk through leafy square in London, to ice skating on the Toronto Harbourfront, the City Builders illustrate the numerous experiences that create a refreshing change every 12 weeks or so.

Mark and Dorian have a lively discussion about urban changes in each of the 4 seasons.
______________________________________________________________________
NOTE: All photos and videos shown in this episode were taken by Mark Nickita, FAIA and Dorian Moore, FAIA except as noted. They do not claim ownership of any third-party images, if unintentionally included, in this channel’s content. All rights remain with their respective owners.

Please join the City Builders, LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the channel
and SHARE this episode with others!

@CityBuildersLog
______________________________________________________________________
City Builders hosts:

Mark Nickita, FAIA
President of Archive DS, Detroit + Toronto.
Architects, Urban Designers, City Builders

Dorian Moore, FAIA
Vice President of Archive DS, Detroit + Toronto.
Architects, Urban Designers, City Builders

Mark Nickita, FAIA and Dorian Moore, FAIA lead Archive DS, a distinctly unique urban design, architectural, planning and development consulting practice. Archive DS travels the globe studying and documenting urban development for use in practice in cities around North America.

They are City Builders.

Archive DS [Design Studio] is an award-winning team of urban specialists focused on re-establishing post-industrial cities and urban sites, with a primary emphasis on the Lake Belt Region of North America. Through architecture, urban design, civic leadership, entrepreneurial activity, lecturing and global urban research, Archive DS has established a reputation as experts regarding the enhancement of the built environment and their various challenges.

The firm’s partners also serve as a resource on urban issues, as civic and professional leaders for local and national media outlets. Their professional experience has encompassed many aspects of city-making. These include major civic projects, adaptive reuse buildings, innovative mixed-use developments and historic renovations as well as the creation of design and economic strategies, urban visioning, and Placemaking, in addition to working as developers and the branding of projects and urban districts.

Mark Nickita, FAIA and Dorian Moore, FAIA are available to assist in the development of building and urban design projects. They often team up with other firms and consult with development groups and municipalities. They have also presented and lectured for numerous groups on a variety of urban issues and topics throughout North America.

contact info:
www. ArchiveDS.com
info@ArchiveDS.com
313.963.6687
________________________________________________________
Music for video Intro and Outro:
"Changers"
written and performed by Curtainwall

Curtainwall is:
Dave Baker - Guitars
Mike Gusway - Bass
Mark Nickita - Drums+Vocals
________________________________________________________
Fair Use Disclaimer
The content shared on this channel may include copyrighted material used for commentary, criticism, news reporting, teaching, research, or education purposes. All such use falls under the guidelines of Fair Use under Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. § 107). We do not claim ownership of any third-party images, video clips, or audio featured in this channel’s content. All rights remain with their respective owners.

Copyright ©︎ 2026 City Builders, Mark Nickita, Dorian Moore. All Rights Reserved.