The London Society is for all those who love London. Our aim is to translate and bring clarity to the complex issues that impact on our ‘built environment’ and ultimately the people who live and work in London.
Founded in 1912 by a group of influential Londoners concerned about the lack of vision for the future of the capital, for more than 100 years it has brought people together to debate key issues about the future of London.
London needs an independent forum that can act independently to support people in discovering and discussing important matters that face the city. The London Society has been and remains that place. Be part of the revival and listen to the debate.
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The London Society is for all those who love London. Our aim is to translate and bring clarity to the complex issues that impact on our ‘built environment’ and ultimately the people who live and work in London.
Founded in 1912 by a group of influential Londoners concerned about the lack of vision for the future of the capital, for more than 100 years it has brought people together to debate key issues about the future of London.
London needs an independent forum that can act independently to support people in discovering and discussing important matters that face the city. The London Society has been and remains that place. Be part of the revival and listen to the debate.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of Talk About London, hosts Leanne Tritton, The London Society and Dave Hill, OnLondon engage with Professor Greg Clark to explore the global perception of London. They discuss the city's historical significance, its challenges including Brexit and COVID, and the unique issues it faces compared to other major cities. The conversation also touches on London's reputation for crime and housing affordability, its status as a safe haven city, and the importance of government support. Ultimately, they reflect on the London Promise and the need for a balanced approach to growth and equity in the capital.
Takeaways
titles
Sound Bites
Chapters
00:00
Introduction to London and Its Global Perception
02:54
London's Historical Significance and Global Recognition
06:12
Challenges Facing London: Brexit, COVID, and Financial Crisis
08:53
Perceptions of Crime and Housing Affordability in London
12:03
Safe Haven Cities: London's Competitive Landscape
15:06
The London Promise: Opportunities and Challenges
17:54
The Role of Government in Supporting London
20:50
The Future of London: Balancing Growth and Equity
23:58
Soft Power and Cultural Influence of London
26:53
Conclusion: The Path Forward for London
keywords
London, global perception, challenges, Brexit, COVID, housing, crime, safe haven, soft power, cultural influence
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In this episode of Talk About London, Leanne Tritton, London Society and Dave Hill, OnLondon talk with Muyiwa Oki, the youngest-ever President of the RIBA, about the evolution of architecture — and what London might look like in the future.
They discuss whether the age of glass and steel is coming to an end, the rise of sustainable materials, and the collaboration between architects and scientists that could shape a zero-carbon future for London’s built environment.
Highlights:
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction to London’s Architectural Landscape
00:34 – Challenges Facing the Architecture Profession
00:47 – Conclusion and Future Outlook
#Architecture #London #Design #Innovation #Sustainability #RIBA #UrbanFuture
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In this episode of Talk About London, Leanne Tritton, The London Society and Dave Hill, OnLondon discuss the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation with its chair, Dame Karen Buck. The conversation covers the current state of the development, its significance for London's future, the importance of food production in Park Royal, the role of railway infrastructure, procurement partnerships, community benefits, sustainability efforts, and lessons learned from past regeneration projects. Buck emphasizes the need for flexibility in housing plans and the commitment to providing affordable homes while ensuring local communities benefit from the development.
Takeaways
The Old Oak and Park Royal area is crucial for London's future.
The development aims to create 25,000 homes and economic opportunities.
Park Royal is responsible for a third of London's food production.
Sustainability is a key focus in the development plans.
HS2 will enhance connectivity but is not a prerequisite for development.
Procurement partners will be sought to assist in building homes.
Local employment opportunities are a priority for the community.
The development will include a mix of housing types and tenures.
Lessons from past regeneration projects will inform current strategies.
Flexibility in planning is essential to adapt to future needs.
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In this episode, hosts Leanne Tritton, Chair of The London Society, and Dave Hill, founder and editor of OnLondon, are joined by Nicholas Boys-Smith, Chair and founder of Create Streets. Together they explore the state of London’s streets — from rubbish and “street scars” to the vital role they play in health, community life, and civic pride — and discuss what can be done to make them cleaner, safer, and more welcoming for everyone.
Episode Running Order & Timestamps
0:00 – 2:00 | Introduction
Leanne and Dave set the scene: why the condition of London’s streets matters for everyday life, civic pride, and wellbeing.
2:00 – 4:00 | Guest Introduction
Nicholas Boys Smith is introduced. He explains why human-scale, beautiful streets matter so much to how we experience the city.
4:00 – 10:00 | Why Streets Matter
How the design and upkeep of streets affect physical and mental health, mobility choices, and daily joy.
10:00 – 20:00 | High Streets and Community
The role of high streets as social spaces and economic lifelines. How tidy, well-managed streets encourage local pride and prosperity.
20:00 – 30:00 | Challenges and Solutions
Rubbish, commercial waste, potholes, graffiti, and clutter — what’s going wrong? Nicholas highlights practical solutions, from better waste management to community-led action.
30:00 – 40:00 | Cultural and Historical Context
London’s historic struggles with dirty streets and how civic attitudes compare to other cities around the world.
40:00 – 50:00 | Social and Political Implications
Homelessness, cycling culture, and political responsibility. Should London have a city-wide “clean streets” strategy?
50:00 – End | Conclusion
A reflection on the importance of clean, welcoming streets. Call to action for communities, councils, and politicians to put streets at the heart of London’s future.
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Hosts Leanne Tritton, The London Society and Dave Hill, OnLondon, as they delve into the intricacies of London's planning system with planning expert Mike Kiely.
Discover how planning impacts housing, infrastructure, and urban development in the capital city. This episode demystifies the planning process, explores the role of local councils, and discusses the influence of the Mayor of London.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction by Leanne Tritton and Dave Hill 02:15 - The Basics of the Planning System 05:30 - Mike Kiely on Planning Myths and Realities 10:45 - The Role of Planning Officers vs. Planning Committees 15:20 - Zoning Plans vs. Discretionary Systems 20:00 - Community Engagement in Planning 25:30 - The Mayor of London's Influence on Local Plans 30:45 - Challenges and Future of London's Housing Needs 35:00 - The Role of AI in Planning Departments 40:00 - Closing Thoughts and Key Takeaways
Hashtags: #LondonPlanning #UrbanDevelopment #Podcast
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Explore the future of world renown Wimbledon in this episode of "Talk About London." Hosts Dave Hill, OnLondon and Leanne Tritton, The London Society are joined by Heather Topel, Estate Director for the All England Club, to discuss the ambitious expansion plans that promise to transform the iconic venue. Discover how the development of 38 new grass courts and a 27-acre public park will enhance the Wimbledon experience, offering significant benefits to both the local community and the broader public. Tune in to learn about the balance between tradition and innovation, and the exciting future that lies ahead for this world-renowned sporting event.
Key Takeaways:
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In this episode of Talk About London, Leanne Tritton and Dave Hill's guest is Graeme Craig, the chief executive of Places for London, to discuss the evolution of Transport for London's (TfL) land management strategy. They explore the establishment of Places for London, its role in housing development, and the importance of joint ventures with commercial partners. Graeme shares insights on major projects, the shift from car parks to housing, and the significance of overstation developments. The conversation also touches on affordable housing targets, community engagement, and the challenges faced in local development plans, particularly in South Kensington and Seven Sisters. Additionally, Graeme highlights the importance of supporting small businesses and the training initiatives for construction skills, emphasizing the need for community involvement in shaping London's future.
Keywords
Transport for London, Places for London, housing development, community impact, affordable housing, joint ventures, overstation development, retail spaces, small businesses, construction skills
Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Places for London
01:14 The Evolution of TfL's Land Strategy
05:13 Development Partnerships and Joint Ventures
10:28 Current Projects and Future Aspirations
14:20 The Housing Crisis and Community Needs
18:52 Overstation Developments and Their Impact
22:50 The Importance of Naming and Community Engagement
27:51 Introduction to TfL Development Challenges
29:13 South Kensington Station Development
34:40 Seven Sisters Market and Community Engagement
38:28 Retail Spaces and Small Business Support
42:58 Construction Skills and Community Involvement
29:13
South Kensington Station Development
38:28
Retail Spaces and Small Business Support
42:58
Construction Skills and Community Involvement
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In this episode, Leanne Tritton and Dave Hill discuss the pressing issue of housing in London, focusing on Greenwich Council's successful strategies to reduce homelessness and reliance on temporary accommodation. They are joined by Leader of the Council, Cllr Anthony Okereke and Assistant Director Housing Needs and Tenancy, Shaun Flook, who share insights on the challenges faced during the pandemic, the assessment process for homelessness, and the innovative solutions implemented to provide stable housing for residents. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration across departments and the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle homelessness effectively.
Takeaways
Chapters
00:00
Introduction to London's Housing Crisis
01:32
Understanding the Rise in Homelessness
06:01
Defining Homelessness and Its Impact
12:45
Strategies for Reducing Hotel Reliance
19:02
Achieving Dramatic Reductions in Temporary Accommodation
21:36
Rehousing Strategies for the Homeless
28:10
Challenges of Temporary Accommodation
34:49
Lessons Learned and Future Directions
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In this episode of Talk About London, we return to one of the capital’s most talked-about regeneration projects – Earl’s Court.
Once the site of a world-famous exhibition centre, the area has stood empty since 2015. But now, the Earls Court Development Company (ECDC) is leading a new plan to bring life, jobs, homes and cultural energy back to this long-dormant corner of London.
This conversation picks up where we left off in the London Explained documentary podcast, first released in October 2023 and featuring ECDC CEO Rod Heasman. A lot has happened since then – the masterplan has evolved, London’s economic context has shifted, and the need for high-quality, climate-conscious development has only grown.
Leanne Tritton, Chair of the London Society, and journalist Dave Hill, Editor and Publisher of OnLondon speak with Rebekah Paczek (Director of Public Affairs, Social Impact and Community Relations) and Sharon Giffen (Head of Design) from ECDC for an honest update on what’s changed, what’s still to come, and when we might finally see diggers on site.
They discuss the design ambitions, financial challenges, and political complexity of delivering across two very different boroughs – Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham – and reflect on what’s needed to make this new vision a success where earlier efforts fell short.
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In this episode of Talk About London, Dave Hill, Editor and Publisher of OnLondon and Leanne Tritton, Chair of The London Society talk to Amos Simbo OBE and Dave Rogers about the challenges facing the construction sector in meeting the new targets for house building as well as the demands for commercial office space and infrastructure across London. Much rests on being able to attract young people into the construction industry.
Dave Rogers is the Deputy Editor of Building magazine and has spent over 30 years writing in and around the construction industry.
Amos Simba is the founder of Black Professionals in Construction (BPIC) which has over 11,000 members and is the founder of construction consultancy, Winway Group.
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In this episode, we discuss what we are trying to achieve with this podcast series about London and how plans and policies around the built environment shape our lives. Sometimes for better, sometimes not.
We also learn hear from the co-hosts, Dave Hill and Leanne Tritton about their motivates for making the world of the built environment more interesting and easier to understand. You will also learn more about OnLondon and The London Society and explains what has inspired the launch of TALK ABOUT LONDON and what they hope their guests can provide for listeners.
Links:
London 2012: From Waste Land to Gold Rush
When Britain Built Something Big
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Dave Hill, editor and publisher of OnLondon.co.uk, and Leanne Tritton, chair of The London Society, hear from their guest Alexander Jan, a brilliant expert on the workings and economics of central London.
Many plans have been made to solve the problems of London's famous Oxford Street, but not many have come to fruition or worked for long. Many have called for its pedestrianisation, but that is far from as easy as it sounds. Alex guides us through the many, often conflicting, challenges, and points towards some ways they might be met.
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In this episode of TALK ABOUT LONDON, co-hosts Dave Hill (OnLondon) and Leanne Tritton (Chair, The London Society) are joined by award-winning landscape designer Charlotte Harris to explore the growing momentum behind London’s green revival—and how one of Britain’s most beloved institutions, the Chelsea Flower Show, sits at the heart of it.
Charlotte, a multi–Gold Medal winner at Chelsea, shares insights into what makes the event so extraordinary—from its scale and style to its £200 million direct economic impact and its deep cultural resonance. Charlotte reflects on how Chelsea have shaped her career designing spaces for RHS Bridgewater, commercial developers like Fabrix, and even celebrities like Cara Delevingne.
We then broaden the lens to look at the renewed focus on greening London. Is it a genuine revival or just a fashionable phase? And how does it compare to earlier moments in the city’s green history, like the Victorian park movement?
From public realm regeneration to private commissions, Charlotte offers a grounded view of how urban landscapes are evolving, and what planners, developers and designers need to do to keep pace with Londoners’ growing demand for natural space.
If you're interested in how plants, policy and public space intersect in the capital, this is a conversation not to miss.
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In episode 2 of Talk About London, Dave Hill, editor and publisher of OnLondon.co.uk, and Leanne Tritton, chair of The London Society, discover what Jules Pipe CBE does all day (clue: it's a lot), the difference last year's change of national government has made (clue: it's a big one), why urban planning is very, very complicated and what the chances are of a lot more homes getting built in London in the near future.
Jules Pipe CBE Biography
Jules Pipe is working on key priorities for the Mayor, including: implementation of the London Plan, major and community-led regeneration projects across the capital, providing Mayoral oversight of London’s fire and rescue service (the London Fire Brigade), and ensuring London’s infrastructure supports good growth, meets the needs of London’s communities and makes London a cleaner, greener and smarter city.
Jules has unrivalled knowledge of London government, becoming the first directly elected mayor of Hackney in 2002 and serving as Chair of London Councils from 2010 until he joined the Mayor’s team in 2016.
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In the fifth episode of this series, Dave Hill explores Brick Lane, which runs through the heart of Spitalfields in the East End and has a special place in London's history. For centuries, the narrow street and its surrounding area has been a place of industry and of sanctuary for incomers from other parts of the world.
In recent decades, this avenue has transformed into a creative and leisure quarter, full of cafés, bars, crafts markets, vintage clothing shops and entertainment as well as workspace. Central to this has been the reinvention of the former Truman Brewery, which stopped making beer in 1989 and became today's buzzing cultural and retail hub.
Seeking to build on its success, the Truman company has produced plans to develop a car park and yards within its complex, with the goal of adding to its widespread appeal. However, an alliance of opponents has been seeking to block the plans, claiming they will compromise the architectural essence of Spitalfields and have a detrimental effect on local businesses and residents, in particular Bengali Londoners who have been integral to Brick Lane's character for many decades.
This latest episode in our London Explained series aims to bring enlightenment to a contentious subject, with interviews, archive material and historical insights. It tells a more nuanced story about the issues involved, leaving listeners to reach their own conclusions about the best way to look to the future while valuing the past.
The podcast he podcast is researched, written and presented by Dave Hill, editor and publisher of the website OnLondon.co.uk and a London Society trustee, and produced by Andrew McGibbon for Curtains for Radio Ltd. It was supported financially by the Truman Brewery Company, with The London Society retaining full editorial control.
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The London Society and OnLondon.co.uk welcome you to the podcast series called Talk About London in which co-presenters Leanne Tritton, chair of the London Society, and Dave Hill, publisher and editor of On London, explore big themes about the capital’s built environment, including housing, transport, architecture, planning, culture and all else that goes with it with the help of expert guests.
Each episode will seek to enlighten, educate and entertain its audience about a topical issue that affects the daily lives of Londoners and their futures, rising above the fray of culture wars and political point-scoring to bring much-needed clarity to debates about how to make London a better place.
Episode 1 discusses the London Growth Plan launched by the Mayor of London in conjunction with London Councils.
The expert guests for this episode are Antonia Jennings, CEO of Centre for London and Dr Jack Brown, Lecturer in London Studies Kings College London who explain what the short term and long term implications are for London and how the plan has been received so far.
Antonia Jennings Biography
Antonia is Chief Executive Officer at the Centre for London. She joined in September 2023, from the Centre for Local Economic Strategies. Prior to joining the team, Antonia worked in numerous charities, think tanks and campaigning organisations promoting new economic thinking. She has expertise across progressive local economic development, deepening democracy and sustainable economics. Antonia holds a Master’s degree with distinction in Politics and Communications, and a BA (Hons) in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. She is Chair of the board of Rethinking Economics.
Dr Jack Brown Biography
Jack Brown is Lecturer in London Studies and is part of the Strand Group, in the Policy Institute at King’s. Previously, Jack was Researcher in Residence at No. 10 Downing Street, Research Manager at thinktank Centre for London, and studied Contemporary British History at BA and MA level at Queen Mary University of London. His PhD thesis, also undertaken at QMUL, was entitled ‘The London Docklands Development Corporation under Reg Ward and the Emergence of Canary Wharf: 1981-87’.
Dr Brown is author of No.10: The Geography of Power at Downing Street (published by Haus), The London Problem: What Britain gets wrong about its capital city (Haus); and co-author of London's Mayor at 20, published by BiteBack.
The London Society - https://londonsociety.org.uk/
OnLondon - https://www.onlondon.co.uk/
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In our fourth podcast, we explore the five different neighbourhoods (and their blurred boundaries) contained within the Central District Alliance, stretching from Clerkenwell to Tottenham Court Road.
Presenter Dave Hill takes us on a journey through both the history and geography of the area which features a wealth of private and public spaces covering hundreds of years.
Religious orders, markets, gin-making, legal practices, gardens, squares, universities, museums, churches, towers and the tech industry all show us how the past, present and future collide in the buildings and landscape of this unique part of London. Debbie Akehusrt and Alexander Jan of the Central District Alliance BID explain how they plan to rethink the area’s economy, consider the challenges of climate change, tackling air pollution and enhancing visitor experience.
The podcast is researched, written and presented by Dave Hill, editor and publisher of the website OnLondon.co.uk, and produced by Andrew McGibbon for Curtains for Radio Ltd. It was supported financially by the Central District Alliance with The London Society retaining full editorial control.
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Episode 3 of London Explained tells the story of Marble Arch, one of London’s loveliest historic monuments which has been marooned on a roundabout at the western end of Oxford Street, severed from the park it once formed an entrance to and disconnected from its regal past. But now big plans are afoot to restore the arch to its former glory, make it the focal point of a tranquil new public space and tackle some of the traffic flow that blights it.
Journalist Dave Hill tells the story of the area, once a grim location for public executions but later a famous meeting point for the expression of free speech. Drawing on interviews with key figures behind the plans – including Simon Loomes from the Portman Estate and Lucy Musgrave and Tess McCann of urban design firm Publica – and a wealth of archive material, the podcast illuminates the complex challenges the plans address and what is needed to put them into effect for the benefit of London as a whole.
The podcast is researched, written and presented by Dave Hill, editor and publisher of the website OnLondon.co.uk, and produced by Andrew McGibbon for Curtains for Radio Ltd. It was supported financially by The Portman Estate, with The London Society retaining full editorial control.
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Episode 2 of London Explained takes a deep-dive into the Fleet Street Quarter, examining what makes this part of London so historically important and the huge impact that the pandemic has had on local businesses. The times they are a-changin’ and so Dave Hill has conducted a series of interviews that reveal some of the new projects that are underway to bring a bit of magic back to Fleet Street. This work is vital to encourage people to return to the City, for work and leisure. He also speaks to the custodians who are ensuring that the built heritage of the area is preserved and actually made more accessible through a considered public realm strategy.
London Explained is a series which explores why and how areas of London have changed and what the future may look like.
The episode is written and presented by Dave Hill. The producer is Andrew McGibbon. It’s a Curtains For Radio Production for The London Society. It was supported financially by the Fleet Street Quarter with The London Society retaining full editorial control.
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Episode 1 of the London Society's new podcast, London Explained, will investigate ideas for regenerating Earls Court, a place of legend in inner west London. Little has been achieved beyond the flattening of the Earls Court Exhibition Centre, which gave the area much of its life and character. Now, a new development company with a new approach is putting a new plan together. It says it wants to create a sustainable, affordable, mixed-use scheme that has community support and will, in its own words “bring the wonder back” to the area. Dave Hill tells the story of a unique part of the capital, explores the latest vision for its renewal, and asks local people what they think.
London Explained is a series which explores why and how areas of London have changed and what the future may look like.
The episode is written and presented by Dave Hill. The producer is Andrew McGibbon. It’s a Curtains For Radio Production for The London Society.
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