Season 4 Episode 5: Are Australian cities still living with “The Australian Ugliness”?

High in the Andes of Peru, 2,400 metres above sea level, Machu Picchu stands as one of the world’s great architectural achievements. But the extraordinary stonework, terraces and temples of Machu Picchu are just part of a much biggerstory. In this special episode of Light, Cities & Architecture, AntonyDiMase and writer and editor Justine Costigan explore the architecture, culture and legacy of the Incan Empire. Recently returned from Peru, Justine shares her experiences visiting Machu Picchu, Cusco and other significant Incan sites,offering a firsthand perspective on a civilisation that built an enormous and sophisticated empire in little more than a century. How did the Incas construct precisely fitted stone buildings without mortar, iron or modern machinery? How did they govern an empire without a written alphabet or currency? And what can their agricultural systems, infrastructureand approach to building in one of the world’s most challenging landscapes tell us about architecture today? The conversation also explores the relationship between architecture and nature, from buildings aligned with the sun, moon and stars to agricultural terraces engineered to manage water and erosion. We consider why Incan buildings have survived centuries of earthquakes while many Spanish colonial structures have not—and what this reveals about architecture that is genuinely rooted in place. The episode also looks beyond the romance of Machu Picchu. Antony and Justine discuss the violence of Spanish conquest, the destruction of Indigenous architecture and culture, and the misleading story of Machu Picchu as a “lost city” supposedly discovered by the West. They explore how Incan traditions survived through cultural and religious syncretism, and how Indigenous influences continue to shape Peruvian culture today. Finally, the conversation turns to modern Peru: its extraordinary natural resources, food culture, agricultural knowledge, relationship with tourism and the enduring pride Peruvians have in their heritage. This is a story about stone, landscape and extraordinary ingenuity—but also about whose history gets told, what survives conquest, and what architecture can teach us about culture, resilience and our relationship with place.

Australia is entering a new era of climate accountability. As mandatory carbon reporting becomes law, businesses are being forced to rethink how they measure risk, manage emissions, and remain competitive. At the same time, the explosive growth of AI is driving unprecedented demand for data centres—bringing new questions about energy, water, infrastructure, and the environmental cost of our digital future. In this episode of Light, Cities & Architecture, architect Antony DiMase is joined by sustainability consultant Luke Fernandez and architect Ahmed Elsayed to unpack one of the most significant shifts facing the built environment and Australian industry. Together, they explore Australia's new Sustainability Reporting Standards (ASRS), how climate disclosure requirements are reshaping supply chains and procurement, why architects are increasingly leading sustainability conversations, and what the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure means for communities, energy systems, and climate policy. The discussion also examines the gap between voluntary sustainability initiatives and enforceable regulation, the growing importance of embodied carbon and climate risk in design decisions, and whether our economic models are equipped to deliver a genuinely low-carbon future. This conversation connects architecture, business, technology, governance, and climate into one compelling story about the systems shaping the places we build—and the future we're creating. In this episode you'll discover: Why Australia's mandatory carbon reporting laws are transforming corporate governance. How climate disclosure is reshaping supply chains and procurement. The role architects play in reducing embodied carbon and driving sustainable design. Why AI data centres are becoming one of Australia's fastest-growing environmental challenges. The policy gaps between digital infrastructure growth and climate responsibility. Why legislation—not voluntary action—is emerging as the key driver of meaningful emissions reduction. How new economic thinking, including Doughnut Economics, challenges traditional models of growth. Whether you're an architect, engineer, sustainability professional, business leader, policymaker, or simply curious about the intersection of climate, technology, and the built environment, this episode offers valuable insights into one of Australia's most important transitions.

In this episode of Lights, Cities and Architecture, we explore the fundamental role of light in shaping how we experience the world around us. From the science of what light is, to its impact on human perception, health, and circadian rhythms, the conversation moves between technical insight and philosophical reflection.We discuss how artificial lighting has transformed modern cities into 24-hour environments, often at the cost of our connection to the natural night sky. The episode also highlights the importance of darkness — not only for human well-being, but for ecosystems, cultural practices, and our sense of place in the universe.Drawing from architecture, urban design, and art, including the work of James Turrell and the Light and Space movement, this episode invites listeners to reconsider light not just as a tool, but as a powerful medium that shapes experience, emotion, and meaning.

In this episode of the Light, Cities + Architecture podcast, architect Antony DiMase sits down with buyer’s advocate Sven Fischer to explore a key question shaping contemporary housing: does sustainability truly add market value, or is it still largely driven by ethics? Drawing on insights from both architecture and real estate, the conversation unpacks the gap between how homes perform and how they are perceived. From passive house principles to the emotional drivers behind purchasing decisions, the discussion highlights the challenges of translating building performance into market recognition. The episode reflects on the broader implications of sustainable design—prioritising wellbeing, environmental responsibility, and the quality of everyday living within the built environment. As awareness grows, the value of high-performing homes will increasingly depend on how well their benefits are understood, experienced, and recognised within the market. Listen to the full conversation in this episode of Light, Cities + Architecture.

In this episode of Light Cities and Architecture, we explore the legacy of urbanist and writer Jane Jacobs and her 1961 book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities. Jacobs’ work challenged the planning ideologies of her time—rejecting top-down zoning, soulless high-rises, and sweeping expressways in favour of cities shaped organically by the people who live in them. Her ideas have influenced generations of urban planners and architects, but do they still have relevance today?