On this episode of #Educrush, Alex talks to a Planner named Srimal Ranasinghe who believes whole heartedly that one of the keys to students thriving is looking at the spaces that we all spend time in. Listen while they discuss why it’s important and what it may look like to design spaces with health and engagement in mind. Alex on Twitter: @MrAlexNoel Natalie on Twitter: @natabasso Podcast on Twitter: @educrushpod Podcast on Instagram: @educrushpod   Show Notes: Intro [00:40] Today’s Guest [05:17] What does a planner do [05:43] The importance of urban planning for students [10:15] Useful, Safe, Comfortable and Interesting spaces 16:20 Well laid out neighbourhoods [21:31] Schools taking action [33:53] Planning for equity  [41:36] The purpose of education [50:17] Significant quotes: “There’s four factors that spaces need to be… useful, safe, comfortable and interesting.”  [16:43] “When you step out on the streets, how much of the street is taken up by asphalt automobile space vs spaces that are designated and welcoming to pedestrians and other forms of mobility?”[29:05] “Can you actually imagine a different way of being in your community, and the community actually looking a different way?”  [36:22] “Can we start looking at some of those foundational issues and making tweaks so that we can set up all schools for success in the longer term?” [40:54] “Talking about equity, It’s a question of “Can we design our spaces in a way that it welcomes the most vulnerable people””  [46:00]   Links Mentioned: < http://www.sustainablecalgary.org/>