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 MIPIM, and sharing candid views on policy challenges and developer frustrations. With soundbites from local authority leaders, developers like Pocket Living, and advocates for inclusion like Women in Architecture, this episode tackles the state of UK housing delivery head-on. From Building Safety Act bottlenecks to affordability innovation, it’s a snapshot of a sector poised for action - if only regulation and leadership would catch up.


KEY TAKEAWAYS

UKREiiF 2025 felt more inclusive and optimistic than MIPIM, with stronger UK-centric engagement and a notable presence of local authority leaders, planners and policy-makers.

Weather makes a surprising impact on conference enjoyment, with Leeds sunshine lifting spirits compared to rainy Cannes.

The event's core message was clear: councils are “open for business” and hungry for delivery, but face real-world systemic blockers.

Viability remains the elephant in the room, with developers frustrated by unrealistic targets and post-event finger-pointing from the government.

The Building Safety Act is seen as a significant bottleneck, with many calling for clarity, simplification and practical reform to unlock housing delivery.

Pocket Living’s discounted housing model is an inspiring example of innovation in affordability, offering high-quality homes with a retained covenant for long-term market impact.

UKREiiF is around half the price of MIPIM, making it a more accessible and cost-effective event for firms looking to connect and collaborate.

There’s a growing appetite for collaboration across political lines and between sectors, but the rhetoric must match the resources and legislative clarity.


 BEST MOMENTS:

“The government has its foot on the accelerator and the brake at the same time.”

“Councils are saying we’re open for business, but are we actually set up to deliver?”

“Just tell us what we need to put in the gateways and it’ll be way easier.”

“UKREiiF is about half the cost of MIPIM, and you don’t have to pack your blue suit.”


VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://www.ackroydlowrie.com 


EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

How the Building Safety Act Is Changing Everything - Varun Soni

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei9p9yr1LKw

Global Challenges, Local Solutions for Architects – with Gary McLuskey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHJAWHJKrm4


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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