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 the power of public-private partnerships, Claire shares her bold vision for inclusive growth across London. She reflects on her personal journey rooted in social justice, how collaboration can unlock infrastructure potential, and why Lambeth’s history of innovation is shaping its ambitious future. This is a candid, inspiring conversation about leadership, opportunity, and why London is truly “open for business.”


KEY TAKEAWAYS

Lambeth’s housing crisis is urgent, with nearly 5,000 families in temporary accommodation - building affordable homes is a moral and social priority.

Claire’s leadership is driven by a passion for social justice, influenced by her upbringing and career as a legal aid children’s lawyer.

Viability is the #1 barrier to housing delivery in London, not planning reform - unlocking permissions requires new financial models and increased grant funding.

Lambeth is pro-growth and open to partnership, encouraging developers who prioritise inclusive growth and community benefit.

Collaboration is key - the London Growth Plan, Warmer Homes initiative, and partnerships like the one at County Hall show how pooled resources drive impact.

Waterloo Station regeneration is a flagship project, reimagining the area with Network Rail and Places for London to improve the public realm and experience.

Lambeth has a long tradition of transformation, from David Bowie to Black activism, and continues to innovate through clean tech and cultural infrastructure.

Public engagement is crucial, especially amplifying voices of underrepresented groups in development conversations to ensure growth is equitable.


BEST MOMENTS

“We have nearly 5,000 families living in temporary accommodation - that’s a lot of families away from their networks and their communities.”

“Lambeth is open for business. London boroughs are open for business.”

“We’re not afraid of change - we’ve always transformed. It’s about doing it in a way that brings everyone with us.”

“Viability is the number one issue for London - not planning reform.”


VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://www.ackroydlowrie.com 

https://www.lambeth.gov.uk 


EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Is UKREiiF better than Mipim? Did Keir Starmer try to ruin it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sat9clIoKXU

Why Places Fail - and How to Build Ones That Don’t with Martyn Evans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWK_JjFIzeA 


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.


CONNECT & CONTACT

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/ackroydlowrie/reel/CpcSrjlDreV/

LinkedIn

http://linkedin.com/company/urban-forecast-podcast

Email: info@ackroydlowrie.com