00:00

Up next

    Science FridayWhat urban design tells us about democracy
    17 minEpisode 1285

    What urban design tells us about democracy

    Listened

    In progress

    The way ancient societies like the Greeks, Maya, and Khmer Empire built their cities can tell us a lot about how a place was governed. Did rulers live in ornate palaces or alongside other residents? Are there large, open spaces for community gatherings?

    In a new study, archaeologists document how they use the design of ancient temples, plazas, and cities to understand how a society was governed. So what does ancient architecture reveal about democracy? And do the democratic design principles hold true today?

    Read more
    Listen now17 min

    © Science Friday and WNYC StudiosLength 17 min24 April 2026Episode 1285ScienceFactsEducationalUSAEpisodic

    Agricultural Bees, China’s Energy Future, Frankenstein In Class. Feb 2, 2018, Part 1

    Agricultural Bees, China’s Energy Future, Frankenstein In Class. Feb 2, 2018, Part 1

    This is an episodic podcast, so you can listen to it in any order, but episode one is a great place to start.

    Listen to episode one here

    The way ancient societies like the Greeks, Maya, and Khmer Empire built their cities can tell us a lot about how a place was governed. Did rulers live in ornate palaces or alongside other residents? Are there large, open spaces for community gatherings?

    In a new study, archaeologists document how they use the design of ancient temples, plazas, and cities to understand how a society was governed. So what does ancient architecture reveal about democracy? And do the democratic design principles hold true today?

    Host Flora Lichtman chats with anthropologist Jake Holland-Lulewicz about ancient democracies, and with archaeologist Jeff Hou about how the role of public spaces in democracies has changed.

    Guests:

    Dr. Jacob Holland-Lulewicz is an anthropologist and assistant professor at Penn State.

    Dr. Jeff Hou is the head of the architecture department at the National University of Singapore.

    Other episodes you may enjoy:

    Secrets Of Ancient Concrete, And… Data Centers In Space?

    One Crisis After Another: Designing Cities For Resiliency

    Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com.

    Subscribe to this podcast. Follow our show on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Bluesky @scifri and sign up for our newsletters. Got a science question that’s keeping you up at night? Call us: 877-472-4374

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.


    © Science Friday and WNYC Studios |Original Episode URL. The content, artwork and advertising within this podcast is not owned or affiliated with Sound Carrot and remain the property of their respective owners.


    Find your next favourite Podcast

    Sound Carrot is your source for Family Podcast Discovery. Verified awesome, 0% boring.

    Privacy Focused

    Distraction free website, no flashing banners or adverts to steal your attention.
    (Some shows do contain their own ads however).

    Kid verified

    At first I made this site for my kids, but like any dad I got a little over excited. I hope you find it as useful as they do.

    Family Friendly

    Whether you want to listen to them together in the car, or alone in your room - the content is all safe for younger ears.