The quality of places results from many factors. This week we're going to talk to two experts in very different fields, both of whom are deeply engaged in making better places.

Maria Hibbs directs , the Chicago brain trust that is working alongside the Chicago Housing Authority to transform the city's neighborhoods that formerly housed towers of public housing residents. Maria joined The Partnership after more than 20 years managing the public and governmental affairs and corporate communications functions of major Fortune 500 companies in the Chicagoland area.

Paul Lukez is focused on remaking suburbs. He is using his Adaptive Design Process to uncover local idiosyncrasies and reintroduce them into the planning and development of suburban monocultures. Paul is principal with Paul Lukez Architecture and Transform X and is also the author of Suburban Transformations from Princeton Architectural Press.