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To have a good life in a great city it’s essential to have a comfortable, affordable place to live and Berlin, unlike London, has long had a reputation for good low-cost housing. But Dr Tim White has discovered that a strange loophole concerning flats advertised as ‘furnished temporary’ being able to increase rents, Berlin is quickly changing from a tenant’s paradise to a landlord’s playground.

Do citizens’ assemblies give real power to the people, or are they just democratic window dressing? Public policy expert Dr. Rob Keeling and filmmaker Sabine Pusch talk with Dr. Kerstin Lücker, Head of Technology and Participation, Department Work and Technology at Technical University Berlin and Dr. Timothy Hall, Academic in Residence & Organiser with Citizens UK, about the promises, struggles, and roadblocks of these participatory forums.

What does a “good life” in a democratic society look like? How do cities like Berlin and London foster civic engagement, social justice, and urban well-being? In their new podcast, physicist Rob Keeling and documentary filmmaker Sabine Pusch explore urgent topics such as climate change, inequality, and the future of democracy. With expert insights, personal stories, and a sharp focus on today’s urban challenges, they deliver compelling ideas and inspiration for politically engaged and curious listeners.