Urban Forecast

In this UKREiiF 2025 special of Urban Forecast, hosts Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd sit down with Cllr Dan Swords, Leader of Harlow Council, to explore how bold leadership, effective partnerships and a focus on people are driving one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration stories. From stalled schemes to strategic joint ventures, Dan shares the real challenges and hard won lessons behind delivering...

In this special UKREiiF 2025 edition of Urban Forecast, co-hosts Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd sit down with Cllr Claire Holland, Leader of the London Borough of Lambeth and Chair of London Councils. From the urgent need for affordable housing to the power of public-private partnerships, Claire shares her bold vision for inclusive growth across London. She reflects on her personal journey rooted in s...

In this special debrief episode of Urban Forecast, co-hosts Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd reflect on the highs and lows of UKREiiF 2025 in Leeds. They explore the atmosphere, key themes and industry sentiment fresh from the event, comparing it to MIPIM, and sharing candid views on policy challenges and developer frustrations. With soundbites from local authority leaders, developers like Pocket Living...

In this episode of Urban Forecast, co-hosts Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd sit down with Martyn Evans, Creative Director at Landsec, to explore how developers can create meaningful and enduring places, not just buildings. Martyn shares the story of his unconventional entry into property through The Truman Brewery, and how authenticity, reuse, and patient vision can unlock extraordinary long-term value...

In this episode of Urban Forecast, Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd sit down with Varun Soni, Director at The Property Smart Group, to unravel the complexities of the Building Safety Act and the Golden Thread. Varun shares hard-hitting insights into the regulatory shifts shaping how we design, deliver, and manage buildings, especially Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs). From Gateway obligations to on-site coo...

In this episode of Urban Forecast, co-hosts Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd sit down with Gary McLuskey, Greystar’s Managing Director of Global Design, to explore the evolving role of architects in development. From policy barriers to international design lessons and the power of collaboration, Gary shares a candid view on where the industry is heading and what needs to change. Expect robust debate, ri...

Podcast Description What really makes a place thrive? In this episode of Urban Forecast, we sit down with John Stiles, Placemaking Manager at the London Borough of Brent, to unpack the complexities of urban change and regeneration. John shares honest reflections from both public and private sector roles, challenges assumptions around placemaking, and explores how real impact comes from shaping pla...

In this reflective episode of Urban Forecast, Jon and Oli unpack the real reasons behind launching their podcast — from the significant investment of time and money, to the unexpected returns in thought leadership, professional development, and business strategy. It’s a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about the power of platform-building, the intersection of architecture with politics and u...

In this episode of Urban Forecast, we’re joined by Chris Williamson, co-founder of Weston Williamson + Partners, as he reflects on 40 years in architecture - from his unexpected pivot into the profession, to the evolution of his practice, and the deep value he places on mentorship, public service, and design with purpose. Chris shares raw insights on surviving multiple recessions, building a globa...

Welcome to Urban Forecast! In this special episode, Oli and Jon answer questions submitted by listeners, diving into bold predictions about the future of cities by 2050. They discuss the impact of climate change, the role of autonomous vehicles, the transformation of urban spaces, and the fascinating potential of AI-powered digital twins. If you’ve ever wondered how technology, the environment, an...

In this episode of Urban Forecast, we sit down with Alex Ely, Founding Director of Mæ to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing architects today. From navigating procurement hurdles to finding a unique voice in the industry, we explore how architects can build their profile beyond design. We delve into the social value of good architecture, the role of leadership, and why great design sho...

Are the UK’s building regulations stalling progress towards net zero? In this episode of Urban Forecast, we discuss how current policies and industry fears are limiting the use of sustainable materials like timber. From towering timber structures in Japan to the challenges of insuring low-carbon buildings in the UK, we explore whether regulation is holding back innovation in sustainable architectu...

In this insightful episode, we delve into the complexities of carbon emissions within the construction industry. Our guest, Gilbert Lennox King, CEO and co-founder of Construction Carbon, shares his mission to simplify carbon management for developers. We explore the crucial distinction between embodied and operational carbon, the drivers behind the growing focus on embodied carbon, and innovative...

In this episode of Urban Forecast, we sit down with Kelly Alvarez Doran, Co-founder and CEO of Half Climate Design, to discuss the crucial role of embodied carbon in architecture. Kelly shares insights from his career, from working in mining to leading sustainable projects in Rwanda, exploring the choices architects make and their far-reaching impact. We dive into why current regulations are stifl...

In this special episode of Urban Forecast Podcast, we’re diving into the buzz of MIPIM – the global real estate event in Cannes. We discuss why we attend, how it compares to UKREiiF, and the evolving landscape of networking in the industry. From the shifting presence of local authorities to the changing culture of the event, we explore whether MIPIM still holds the same influence post-COVID and am...

RIBA is set to spend £85 million on refurbishing its London HQ - but could that money be better spent elsewhere? In this episode of Urban Forecast, we debate how those funds could be used to truly benefit the architectural profession. From AI’s impact on design to the need for research and development, we explore where investment could drive real industry change - rather than becoming a prestige p...

Is renting the future of housing in the UK? In this episode of Urban Forecast , we sit down with Michael Keaveney, Director of Land and Development at Grainger PLC, to explore the evolution of Build to Rent (BTR) and its impact on the housing market. From navigating planning challenges to the sustainability debate, Michael shares his insights on where the sector is heading, the role of investors,...

In this episode of Urban Forecast, we sit down with Andy Cox, Director & Co-founder of Trigon, to discuss the evolving landscape of development management, ESG, and the Building Safety Act. Andy shares his journey into real estate, the challenges of navigating increasing regulation, and why sustainability must be more than a compliance exercise. With discussions around risk management, strande...

In this special episode, Urban Forecast Podcast teams up with Architects for Change to explore the intersection of politics, architecture, and urban regeneration. Jay Morton, Director at Bell Phillips and former political candidate, joins host Oliver Lowrie to discuss the vital role of government vision, sustainable innovation, and community engagement in shaping the built environment. Together, t...

In this episode of the Urban Forecast Podcast, we’re joined by Mark Farmer, influential author of Modernise or Die and a leading voice in the housing industry. Mark dives into the hard truths about the future of housing delivery, exploring whether modern methods of construction (MMC) can truly meet the demands of 300,000 homes a year. From workforce challenges to the downfall of high-profile start...

In this episode of Urban Forecast by Ackroyd Lowrie, we speak to Shravan Joshi, MBA, Chair of the Planning and Transportation Committee at the City of London Corporation. Shravan discusses the transformative Vision 2040 framework, which redefines sustainability, heritage, and urban growth in the Square Mile. From addressing the embodied carbon of buildings to balancing modernisation with the City’...

In this episode of Urban Forecast by Ackroyd Lowrie, we talk to Jack Shaw, councillor at Barking and Dagenham and senior advisor at Labour Together. Jack shares his journey from an unexpected start in politics to becoming a key voice in housing policy and local government finance. We dive into the realities of delivering affordable housing, the challenges of local authority budgets, and the role o...

DESCRIPTION Join us in this compelling episode of Urban Forecast by Ackroyd Lowrie, as we sit down with Anthony Okereke, leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, and Jack Shaw, councillor at Barking and Dagenham. Together, they share their unique perspectives on the intersection of politics, urban development, and housing. From the moral case for regeneration to the challenges of delivering susta...

In this episode, Urban Forecast explores the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) with Danielle St Pierre, co-founder of Hybrid Planning and Development. Covering critical topics like brownfield regeneration, grey belt opportunities, and housing targets, Danielle breaks down how these policies affect local authorities and housing supply. We discuss sustainable urban growth, affordable hou...

In this episode of Urban Forecast, hosts Oliver Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd sit down with Mark Baigent, Corporate Director of Regeneration and Culture at Redbridge Council, to explore his extensive career in housing delivery and urban regeneration. From his early days advising on housing for the homeless to leading major council-led building programs, Mark shares the challenges and triumphs of deliveri...