KunstlerCast - Suburban Sprawl: A Tragic Comedy
James Howard Kunstler, author of The Geography of Nowhere, The Long Emergency, and World Made By Hand, takes on the converging catastrophes of the 21st century. Features a new guest each month. (Note: Episodes 1 - 214 featured conversations between Duncan Crary and JHK during the years 2008 through 2012 and focused on the topics of suburban sprawl, disposable architecture and the end of the cheap oil era.)

A listener from New Zealand asks JamesHoward Kunstler what peak oil holds in store for his island nation. The picture isn't pretty. Kunstler says the Kiwis better watch their backs. China, Japan and even Australia could all pose threats to New Zealand as they face shortages in the new energy future. At the end of the program, a cast of listeners sounds off. We hear from a black man in Queens who is not African-American, a former Long Island nanny, and an urban planner from Canada who asks Jim to lay off the planners, dude.

 (Info about program and theme music at KunstlerCast.com)

Direct Download (10 MB):
KunstlerCast_16.mp3

Direct download: KunstlerCast_16.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:01am EDT


A listener from Canada asks if small cities will be willing and able to absorb more people after peak oil makes big city life problematic. James Howard Kunstler believes that many small cities across North America are waiting to be reactivated. These places would benefit from having more people living in them. But in order to prepare for returning populations, they will need to return to a much smaller increment of development.

(Info about program and theme music at KunstlerCast.com)

Direct Download (10 MB):
KunstlerCast_15.mp3


Direct download: KunstlerCast_15.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:10am EDT

James Howard Kunstler takes questions on personal rapid transit, sustainable green buildings and the happy motoring program in America.  He also scolds us for us referring to ourselves as consumers. This show is the result of a special collaboration between The KunstlerCast and Planetizen, the online network for professional planners.

(Info about program and theme music at KunstlerCast.com)

Direct Download (7.1 MB):
KunstlerCast_13.mp3

Direct download: KunstlerCast_13.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:49pm EDT

A listener from Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. wants to know about the ethics of gentrification. What happens to the poor people who get pushed out of the cities when wealthier people move in? James Howard Kunstler addresses how abnormal it is that American city centers are primarily inhabited by poor people. Jim and Duncan also touch upon the racial dimensions of gentrification.

(Info about program and theme music at KunstlerCast.com)

Direct Download (7 MB):
KunstlerCast_12.mp3

Direct download: KunstlerCast_12.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:17pm EDT