Urban Forecast
The show where Ackroyd Lowrie's co-founder and director, Oliver Lowrie talks to the people defining the future of our cities. Discussing their background, what drives them and the insights they have learnt along the way. This is a show for investors, developers, planners, consultants and anyone who is interested in how we will work, live and play in the cities of the future and what that means for the property market today.
Episodes
87 episodes
Mike Reader MP on Fixing Britain’s Housing System
Urban Forecast welcomes Mike Reader, British Labour Party politician and Member of Parliament, for a candid conversation on the realities of delivering change in the UK’s built environment.Drawing on his background in construction and p...
Power, Politics and Property with Phineas Harper
Urban Forecast host Oli Lowrie sits down with Phineas Harper, British writer, cultural leader, and Guardian contributor, to unpack the real forces shaping our cities.From the myth that “ordinary people don’t care about architecture” to t...
The Future of Regenerative Development with Joe Jack Williams
In this episode of Urban Forecast, Oli Lowrie sits down with Joe Jack Williams, Head of Regenerative Strategy at Bywater, to explore the future of low-carbon development, the realities of building in mass timber, and why the industry desperatel...
How to unblock the system of community funding with Mark Shearer
Urban Forecast sits down with Mark Shearer, CEO and Co-founder of ActionFunder and a councillor for Westminster. With a rare dual perspective spanning politics, community impact and the built environment, Mark breaks down the staggering ineffic...
The 1 Percent Housing Trap with Chris Worrall
In this episode of Urban Forecast, Oli sits down with Chris Worrall, Director at LSL Partners, for a frank and fast-paced conversation about the realities of the UK housing crisis. Chris dismantles common myths around land, planning and develop...
Why London Stopped Building with Nick Cuff
In this episode of Urban Forecast, co-hosts Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd sit down with Nick Cuff, Managing Director and founder of Urban Sketch, to unpack why London has stopped building and how we can start again. From his beginnings in local go...
Reclaiming Value in Architecture with Hari Phillips
In this episode of Urban Forecast, co-hosts Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd sit down with Hari Phillips, co-founder of Bell Phillips Architects and Trustee at the Museum of Architecture, for a candid conversation about the realities of the professio...
Are Architects Being Replaced by AI?
In this episode of Urban Forecast, Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd dive into the unexpected success of their TikTok clip that racked up over 70,000 views and the fiery comments it sparked. From the frustrations of being undervalued in architecture t...
Michael Clark’s Take on London’s Development Challenge
In this episode of Urban Forecast, co-hosts Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd sit down with Michael Clark, Design Director at Hadley Property Group, to explore the evolving role of the architect, the realities of development in today’s market, and how...
Labour’s Housing Delivery Crisis: Planning isn’t the Problem
In this episode of Urban Forecast, hosts Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd dive into the outcomes and mood from the Labour Party Conference, exploring what it all means for the future of housing and planning in London. With housebuilding figures falli...
The Future of the City of London with Tom Sleigh
In this episode of Urban Forecast, co-hosts Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd are joined by Tom Sleigh, Councillor for Bishopsgate Ward at the City of London Corporation and Chair of the Planning & Transportation Committee. Tom offers an insider’s...
Engineering a Greener Future with Steve Webb
In this episode of Urban Forecast, hosts Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd sit down with Steve Webb, Director of Webb Yates Engineers, at Milieu 134 Old Street, a landmark project by HGG London. Designed around natural materials, Milieu is a workspace...
The devastating effect of cars in our cities with Henrietta L. Moore & Arthur Kay
In this episode of Urban Forecast, co-hosts Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd sit down with Professor Dame Henrietta L. Moore, Founder and Director of the Institute for Global Prosperity at UCL, and Arthur Kay, CEO & Founder of Skyroom. Together t...
The Big Opportunity London Can’t Waste with Jace Tyrrell
In this episode of Urban Forecast, Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd are joined by Jace Tyrrell, Chief Executive of Opportunity London. Jace shares how London can stay ahead in the global race for investment, why it matters that the city works togethe...
Housing and Regeneration in Tower Hamlets with David Joyce
In this episode of Urban Forecast, co-hosts Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd sit down with David Joyce, Corporate Director of Housing and Regeneration at the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. David shares his insights into the challenges and opportuni...
Biobased construction myths & how the UK can keep up with Europe - Anna Lisa McSweeney
In this episode of Urban Forecast, Oli and Jon are joined by Anna Lisa McSweeney, UK Networks Lead at Built by Nature, a pioneering not-for-profit working to accelerate the shift toward biobased construction materials. With a background in arch...
Building Towns from Scratch with James Scott of Urban and Civic
In this episode of Urban Forecast, hosts Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd are joined by James Scott, Group Director of Strategy and Planning at Urban&Civic plc. From Cold War airfields to thriving new communities, James shares his journey through...
Reinventing Affordable Living with Paul Rickard, CEO at Pocket Living
In the final episode recorded at UKREiiF 2025, co-hosts Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd sit down with Paul Rickard, CEO of Pocket Living, to explore bold housing innovation in London. Paul brings a finance-savvy lens to the pressing challenges facin...
The Future of Inclusive Design and Women in Architecture with Ana McMillin
In this UKREiiF 2025 special episode of Urban Forecast, Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd are joined by Dr Ana McMillin, Director of Architecture at Broadway Malyan, steering committee member of Women in Architecture, and executive member of the Urban...
Inside Brent’s Regeneration Project with Alice Lester
In this special UKREiiF 2025 edition of Urban Forecast, co-hosts Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd sit down with Alice Lester, Director for Neighbourhoods and Regeneration at Brent Council. Alice shares her journey from a geography student fascinated ...
Harlow’s Regeneration Comeback | How Harlow Delivers More Homes with Cllr Dan Swords
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 m...
Building Fairer Cities with Cllr Claire Holland
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 ...
Is UKREiiF better than Mipim? Did Keir Starmer try to ruin it?
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 ...
Why Places Fail - and How to Build Ones That Don’t with Martyn Evans
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 s...
How the Building Safety Act Is Changing Everything - Varun Soni
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 ...