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Resilience
In a world of rapid change, resilience isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about moving forward with strength and purpose. It’s not just about policies or structures; it’s a mindset. True resilience comes from embracing challenges as opportunities. Pegasus fuels this momentum by shaping culture and embodying it.
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At Pegasus, we believe in creating a future that sparks optimism. We don’t just navigate change—we harness it. Our energy is dynamic, our outlook is forward-thinking, and we embrace technology as a tool for deeper human connection, not a replacement for it. We believe it’s key* to feel good about the Future.
Podcast "The Philanthropist's Conversation"
In this show, we tackle the biggest challenges facing the world of tomorrow.
We interrogate experts in sustainability, urban design, or government policy to dive into the hard questions and strive for resilience. Together, we tap into the power of social architecture, and build a new cultural discourse to navigate the road ahead. From our social systems and our climate, to our individual power of action, The Philanthropist’s Conversation opens a dialogue to get you keyed into new areas of research, innovation and philanthropy. Because that’s what Pegasus is all about.
URBAN HEAT
Welcome to The Philanthropist’s Conversation: Social Architecture to Address Urban Heat. In this four-part series, we embark on a fictional journey around the world to talk about heat and how it’s changing our lives.
Episode 4
The Heat of Now: Designing the Future of Urban Heat, in Abu Dhabi
In the shimmering heat of the Gulf region, a new kind of city is taking shape. One where ancient architectural wisdom meets cutting-edge technology—and where people live well with extreme heat.
In this final episode of The Philanthropist’s Conversation, our host Paula lands in Abu Dhabi to ask a powerful question: What does urban life look like, in a world where temperatures frequently reach 40*C?
Joined by senior government advisor Hamdan Al Suwaidi, Paula tours Abu Dhabi’s historic landmarks like Qasr Al Hosn or the Grand Mosque to learn about the city’s centuries-old relationship with heat. They also spotlight the United Arab Emirates’ most innovative design initiatives, with a visit of the ultra-modern Masdar City – a large-scale urban project that put the UAE on the map when it comes to sustainability.
Along the way, you’ll hear an exclusive interview with Gerard Evenden, a senior partner at Foster + Partners who helped designed Masdar. And we’ll explore the UAE’s sustainability agenda, which is moving away from oil wealth, and towards ecological stewardship.
Episode 3
Follow the Money: Heat as an Economic Opportunity in New York City
New York is a place where private money has left a trail. From the high rise towers of Midtown, to large urban regeneration projects like the High Line, philanthropy is the reason New York rose up through the bad times and the good.
So in this episode of the Philanthropist’s Conversation, our host Paula takes a deep dive into the world of philanthropic innovation, and asks a burning question: how can the private sector advance heat resilience?
Paula meets with locals who can answer that question, and walk her through the history of New York’s iconic skyline. Along the way, we discuss the transformative impact of Michael Bloomberg’s policies and learn about the role of the Rockefeller Foundation in establishing Chief Heat Officers. Through real examples of grassroot initiatives and private-public partnerships, we break down how private investors and public authorities can come together to form a whole new system.
So what does New York’s approach teach us about the power dynamics of heat resilience? How does philanthropy turn ideas into action? And what happens when the private sector sees heat not just as a crisis, but as an economic opportunity?
Episode 2
The Heat of the Action: A Lesson on Political Engagement, in Paris
Urban heat is not just a weather phenomenon; it’s also something we can respond to socially. But the cities we live in are complex. Between government powers, private actors, and the public’s understanding of the issue, there are several moving parts to coordinate to achieve resilience.
So how does a city get mobilized around the heat question? What do we need to organize political action? And crucially: how can Social Architecture help fulfill resilience goals?
In the second episode of the Philanthropist’s Conversation: Social Architecture to Address Urban Heat, our host Paula takes us to Paris to answer these questions.
Paris is a city that has been paving the way for heat resilience for over two decades. From its world-famous architecture to its history of political engagement, the French capital has taken adaptation seriously since 2003, after a devastating heat wave gave authorities a wake-up call. The city has since developed a web of incentives and services to respond to urban heat, and map out a more resilient future.
Today, we dissect the city’s political wiring, with a deep dive into the Parisian Mayor’s Office. We discuss local partnerships between city government and the private sector, and we also meet up with key actors in the field of urban heat; including Alexandre Florentin, who is at the forefront of this movement.
Together, we find out what it takes to connect with civil society, and engage actors across the board, beyond political party lines.
Ready to get in the heat of the action? Then, welcome to Paris.
Episode 1
The Problem with Urban Heat: Risks & Adaptation in London
Why is heat more dangerous in an urban environment? What factors affect how we live with high temperatures? And how can we respond to heat efficiently, and responsibly?
Today, our host Paula and her co-host Jack walk the streets of London to answer these foundational questions. Together, they take a tour of their city to find out how heat affects Londoners, and what we can do to adapt.
This episode outlines the risks that urban heat poses for our health, our services and our social system at large. It also provides tangible applications for adaptation, on an individual and collective level. We discuss the mechanisms that drive heat in urban environments – like the “urban heat island effect” – and interrogate specialists in the field about the changes needed for heat resilience. And as you’ll see, it all starts with social architecture: an approach to design and innovation that can reshape our behaviours.
Ready for this conversation? Then let’s venture into London and beat the heat.