249: How can cities use economics for better decisions? | Sanni Nørgaard Breining - Ramboll
Description
What if cities could make better choices simply by changing the way they measure value?
In this final English episode of the season, economist Sanni Nørgaard Breining from Ramboll joins Urbcast to share an economic lens which can help cities make smarter decisions, prioritize long-term investments, and avoid the high costs of inaction.
We explore why the 2011 Copenhagen cloudburst became a turning point, how thriving cities risk losing affordability, and what placemaking reveals about the connection between social well-being and economic value. Sanni also explains why GDP alone can’t capture what makes cities resilient — and how better data can guide better choices.
In this episode:
• The hidden cost of not acting
• Why resilience and GDP growth are linked
• The affordability paradox in successful cities
• How placemaking affects loneliness and housing value
• Rethinking prosperity beyond GDP
Quote:
“Start with data, start with evidence — and avoid decisions made out of fear or pressure.”
Recommended reading: Cities and the Wealth of Nations by Jane Jacobs
United States
