#12 Ruben Hanssen: Dutch City Building; Beauty & Culture; Everyday Experience; Tradition v Modernity

Today I interview Ruben Hassan, a Dutch podcaster and founder of the Aesthetic City podcast. Ruben shares his journey from being an engineer to becoming a full-time podcaster and filmmaker. We discuss the state of construction and development in the Netherlands and the importance of creating beautiful and sustainable built environments. We also explore the day-to-day life in the Netherlands, including transportation, education, and the value of beauty in society. The conversation covers various themes related to the built environment, society, and culture. Some of the key takeaways include the importance of prioritizing people and their well-being in urban planning and design, the need to address environmental and health issues alongside climate change, the tension between tradition and modernity, the role of institutions in shaping the world, and the emergence of countercultures as a response to societal challenges. We also touch on the Dutch farming protests and the value of different perspectives in shaping the built environment.

• Takeaways

  • Ruben Hassan transitioned from being an engineer to a full-time podcaster and filmmaker, focusing on improving the built environment.

  • The Aesthetic City podcast aims to foster the creation of beauty and true sustainability in architecture and urbanism.

  • Dutch cities prioritize local, timeless, traditional, and human-centered design principles and traditions.

  • The Netherlands has a more gentle density approach to urban planning, with cities consisting of mostly five-story buildings.

  • The Dutch value the ordinary and find beauty in the simple, everyday things.

  • Day-to-day life in the Netherlands includes a strong emphasis on cycling, integrated neighborhoods, and a sense of community.

  • Beauty is not just a nice-to-have, but an essential aspect of creating livable and sustainable cities.

  • The Dutch approach to architecture and urbanism is influenced by their history of religious tolerance, distributed wealth, and residential neighborhoods. Prioritize people and their well-being in urban planning and design.

  • Address environmental and health issues alongside climate change.

  • Recognize the tension between tradition and modernity.

  • Consider the role of institutions in shaping the world.

  • Acknowledge the emergence of countercultures as a response to societal challenges.

• Chapters

  00:00 - Introduction
  03:02 - Transitioning to a New Chapter in Life
  05:21 - The Issues with Construction and Development
  08:24 - Dutch Cities and the Built Environment
  09:47 - Urban Planning in the Netherlands vs. the United States
  14:28 - The Importance of Building Places People Want to Go
  16:08 - Day-to-Day Life in the Netherlands
  21:36 - The Height and Density of Dutch Cities
  24:09 - The Cultural Heritage of Dutch Cities
  30:40 - The Value and Importance of Beauty
  38:36 - Perspectives of Older and Younger Generations
  44:48 - The Dutch Farmers' Protests
  47:27 - The Nitrogen Issue and Farming Practices
  48:31 - Government Actions and Public Opinion
  50:16 - Tyranny and Populism
  51:45 - Disconnect Between Elites and Regular People
  53:32 - The Dark Side of Modernity
  55:10 - Tradition and Innovation
  55:49 - Hope for Change and Paradigm Shift
  59:45 - Upcoming Plans and Trip to the US
  01:03:31 - Recommended Cities in the Netherlands
  01:07:03 - Dutch Perception of Americans

• Resources

  1. Recommended Book: North Atlantic Cities by Charles Duff

  2. Recommend Video: Why Beauty Matters by Roger Scruton

  3. Painting: The Little Streets by Vermeer

  4. Examples of some wonderful NEW humanist cities: Cayala, Guatemala and Le Plessis-Robinson outside of Paris

  5. Recommended Dutch Cities: Utrecht, Leiden, Amersfoort, Harlem

• Connect with Ruben

  Website - Cayala Video - Le Plessis Video - Summer School

• Connect with Austin

  https://linktr.ee/austintunnell
  https://twitter.com/AustinTunnell
  https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/
  https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/

01:08:32 listen