Send us a text

In this episode of Clear the Static, host Paige Buan interviews Paul Doherty, a pioneer in smart city development and CEO of The Digit Group. Recognized by Forbes as a visionary shaping the future, Paul shares how architecture, technology, and artificial intelligence are converging to create smarter, more human-centric urban environments. From discussing the Experience Economy to the "Internet of Buildings," Paul offers a deep dive into the future of cities, buildings with personalities, and how good design is critical for human survival. This conversation is essential listening for anyone interested in the future of architecture, sustainability, urban planning.

Key Highlights/Lessons:

• The importance of combining technology and human experience in city and building design.
• How buildings can be designed to have personalities and assist in daily human functions.
• The future of smart cities includes buildings that communicate and anticipate needs, such as safety and healthcare.
• Why focusing on designing for health and wellness is as critical as acute care in future urban environments.
• The "noble cause" of creating shelter that supports human survival and thriving on Earth.

Key Takeaways:

• Buildings and cities of the future will be embedded with intelligence and personality, improving safety, functionality, and human experience.
• Smart city design should focus on decentralizing services and creating environments that support health, wellness, and sustainability.
• AI and technology in urban spaces will shift human focus away from mundane tasks, allowing more time for creative and purposeful living.
• The role of architecture extends beyond aesthetics—it’s about crafting experiences that make people feel more connected to their environment.

What You'll Learn:

• How architecture can be used to embed intelligence into buildings and cities.
• The future of smart city development and how it will change daily life.
• The role of AI in transforming both building functionality and human experience.
• Insights into how sustainability and technology are converging in urban planning.
• Why decentralized systems are the future of city management and infrastructure.

ABOUT THE GUEST
Paul Doherty is Chairman and CEO of TDG (the digit group), a globally renowned and award-winning architect who is one of the world’s most sought after thought leaders, strategists and integrators of process, technology, and business.

As seen on The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg TV, acknowledged by CNBC as one of America's Business Titans and reported by Forbes as “Changing the World”, Paul is a Senior Fellow of the Design Futures Council and a Fellow of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA). Paul's current work is as Chairman of TDG Global Ventures, a Smart City real estate development company that provides financing, design-build and innovative technology solutions around the world.

Concurrently, Paul is also the co-founder and producer of the critically acclaimed AEC Hackathon that launched at Facebook Headquarters. His past successful ventures include Revit Technologies (Sold to Autodesk 2002), Buzzsaw (Autodesk 2001) and TRIRIGA (IBM 2011). His 2 latest books are Smart Cities: Reimagining the Urban Experience published by Quality Press and listed by BuiltWorld’s Recommended Reading List and Unlocking the Metaverse: A Strategic Guide for the Future of the Built Environment published by John Wiley & Sons and rated #1 New

Support the show