The Real Costs and Benefits of the Urban Forecast Podcast
whatshot 4 snips
May 13, 2025
Discover the real costs of launching a podcast and why it requires a hefty investment of time and money. The hosts reflect on their mission to influence urban design, highlighting the blend of architecture, politics, and societal issues. They discuss the benefits of engaging with diverse guests, offering richer conversations than traditional media can provide. Also explored are the vital connections formed through long-form content and how these interactions can lead to meaningful professional relationships. Tune in for insights on shaping the cities of the future!
12:50
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Podcast's Strategic Investment
Creating a podcast requires substantial investment: about £36K annually plus leadership time.
It reflects the company's vision to influence cities' futures beyond architecture alone.
insights INSIGHT
Leading Through Dialogue
The podcast enables leading key industry conversations rather than following.
Discussing complex issues with cross-sector guests enriches architecture's impact.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Inspiration from Richard Rogers
Jon walked into Richard Rogers' office 35 years ago and got a job, inspired by his wide influence beyond design.
Rogers used media and politics to impact London’s cities significantly, a model for them.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
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 urbanism, and how long-form conversations can shape the city-making agenda. Whether you're a podcast creator, an architect, or just passionate about urban change, this episode peels back the curtain on the why behind the mic.
🧠 KEY TAKEAWAYS
Creating a podcast takes serious investment — £36K+ per year, plus time from senior leaders like Jon and Oli.
The podcast reflects their founding vision: to influence the future of cities, not just individual buildings.
It’s a tool for thought leadership — helping Ackroyd Lowrie lead, not follow, key industry conversations.
Long-form content allows more depth and nuance than traditional media.
Guests come from across sectors — politics, activism, authorship — expanding conversations beyond architecture.
With 12,000 listens a year, it’s a powerful amplification tool for ideas and values.
Getting people on the podcast is often a first step in building meaningful client relationships.
Above all, it’s a space for reflection, learning, and reaffirming their mission to shape the city of the future.
BEST MOMENTS (Quotes)
“Just worth stating, I suppose, the level of investment that it requires to do a weekly podcast…” – Oli
“I walked into Richard Rogers’ offices 35 years ago and asked for a job…” – Jon
“If you were speaking to a room with 12,000 people in it, you’d think: that’s a lot of people — and that’s what this podcast does.” – Oli
“One of the things I don’t think the podcast is… is a direct sales tool. It’s more a touchpoint — a way of drawing an ecosystem together.” – Jon
VALUABLE RESOURCES
www.ackroydlowrie.com
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
The Future of Sustainable Construction The Future of Sustainable Design
ABOUT THE HOSTS
Jon Ackroyd and Oliver Lowrie, the visionary hosts of Urban Forecast, bring their expertise from leading their innovative practice, Ackroyd Lowrie. Known for pushing the boundaries in urban design, Jon and Oliver use their podcast to delve into the future of cities, sharing insights from their work on projects that emphasise sustainability, community, and transformative architecture. Through Urban Forecast, they engage listeners with discussions on how architecture and design shape urban living, aiming to inspire new ways of thinking about the spaces around us.
Urban Forecast