Shravan Joshi, Chair of the Planning and Transportation Committee at the City of London Corporation, shares insights on the transformative Vision 2040 framework. He discusses the balance between sustainability and the preservation of London's rich heritage, along with the rise of retrofit-first policies. Joshi highlights the significance of green finance in urban development and how hybrid working impacts office space design. He draws inspiration from global cities like Paris and New York, emphasizing the collaborative efforts needed for a sustainable urban future.
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insights INSIGHT
Balancing Heritage and Modernization
The City of London faces the challenge of balancing 2000 years of history with modern development.
Shravan Joshi believes a static skyline would signal market stagnation.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Career Transition Mirrors City's Shift
Shravan Joshi noticed a shift from fossil fuels to renewables during his energy sector career.
This mirrors the City of London's transition to sustainable buildings in Vision 2040.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Balancing Policy and Market Realities
Policymakers should listen to the market to determine what's deliverable.
Prioritize retrofitting, but acknowledge redevelopment is sometimes necessary.
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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’s rich 2000-year history, Shravan offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to plan for the future. We explore the rise of retrofit-first strategies, the power of green finance, and the role of global collaboration in building a truly sustainable urban environment.
KEY TAKEAWAYS Vision 2040: A bold roadmap for the City of London, focusing on sustainability, heritage preservation, and economic growth.
Retrofit-First Policy: How prioritising retrofitting over redevelopment is reshaping the City’s approach to sustainability.
Green Finance & Transition Finance: Why investment is increasingly driven by environmental credentials and the rise of super-prime sustainable buildings. Balancing Heritage with Modernisation: The unique challenge of preserving historic architecture while embracing cutting-edge development.
Post-Pandemic Reimagining: Adapting office spaces for hybrid working and integrating cultural and experiential elements to “earn the commute.”
Global Urban Learnings: Insights from cities like Paris and New York on sustainable urban regeneration and planning innovations.
Incentivising Sustainability: Why tax reforms like reduced VAT on retrofitting are crucial for driving sustainable development.
Digital Planning Revolution: How the City of London is spearheading a unified digital framework for planning across the UK.
BEST MOMENTS
“You cannot not have change. What we need is responsible change that respects both heritage and sustainability.” – Shravan Joshi
“Retrofit is no longer just policy—it’s market demand. Developers are now driving the shift towards sustainability.” – Shravan Joshi
“Vision 2040 is about growth, but growth done responsibly, celebrating our history while innovating for the future.” – Shravan Joshi
“Urban densification is not just about economics—it’s about reducing our carbon footprint and planning for long-term sustainability.” – Shravan Joshi
VALUABLE RESOURCES Ackroyd Lowrie - http://www.ackroydlowrie.com City of London Corporation - https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/about-us
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
Labour Reacts to the budget: Can we deliver £1.5 million homes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCvAcDx9e6g
Housing Crisis: Local Leaders, Bold Solutions - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6EVosyQcyE
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.
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