In this episode of PodParks, host Maria Burnett speaks with Gavin White, Director of Planning and Projects at RiverLife in Pittsburgh, about the power of urban parks to shape more resilient, connected, and people-centered cities. With a background that spans film set design, community engagement, and public space development, Gavin brings a thoughtful and multidisciplinary perspective to the future of parks and riverfronts.

The conversation explores Gavin’s role in transforming Pittsburgh’s riverfronts through connectivity, ecological restoration, play, and public engagement. It also dives into his work with the World Urban Parks Climate Change and Resilience Committee, where he has helped build a framework for understanding how urban parks contribute to climate adaptation, public education, mobility, stormwater management, and long-term resilience.

From flood-sensitive park design in China and the Netherlands to community engagement strategies in Pittsburgh, this episode offers practical insight into how parks can respond to the climate crisis while remaining welcoming, democratic, and deeply rooted in the needs of local communities.

Key highlights / takeaways

• A nonlinear path into parks: Gavin shares how he moved from film set design into public space work, driven by a desire for more meaningful, lasting, and sustainable impact.
• Why urban parks matter in climate action: Through the World Urban Parks Climate Change and Resilience Committee, Gavin has helped frame how parks contribute to climate adaptation, education, mobility, and mitigation.
• From broad ideas to measurable action: The conversation highlights how climate discussions in parks have evolved—from general awareness to more detailed modeling, case studies, and evidence-based design solutions.
• Water is central to urban resilience: Gavin reflects on the importance of blue space, riverfront planning, and designing parks that can work with water rather than against it.
• Flooding can be part of the design: Examples from Turenscape, the Netherlands, and FDR Park in Philadelphia show how parks can be intentionally designed to absorb flooding and strengthen city resilience.
• Community engagement takes time—and it matters: Gavin explains why meaningful participation cannot be rushed, and why listening to people early and often is essential to building parks that truly belong to their communities.
• Young professionals should start by observing: His advice for the next generation is simple but powerful: spend time in parks, listen, watch, and understand how people move through and experience these spaces.
• There’s a place for everyone in parks: Whether through planning, volunteering, ecology, activation, or play, Gavin reminds us that almost any skill or interest can contribute to building better public spaces.

About PodParks

PodParks is the official podcast of World Urban Parks. Hosted by Maria Burnett, each episode shares real stories and bold ideas from the people making parks, public space, and urban nature more inclusive, innovative, and essential.

🎙️ Meet the PodParks Team

Maria Burnett | Luis Romahn | Vitoria Martin | Cynthia Hernández | Gisselle Ibarias | Brizel Lopez

🌐 worldurbanparks.org