Open City
Open City
Open City is a charity dedicated to making architecture and built heritage more open, accessible and equitable.Providing you with essential listening, inspiring voices and built environment insights – the Open City Podcast covers news and current events as well as in depth studies of landmark buildings, and cities around the UK and world.At the centre of our line-up is our flagship show The Brief – an award-winning review of the big stories in architecture, planning and housing news – hosted by Sahiba Chadha and Fran Williams on a fortnightly basis.Alongside this is Deconstructed – a monthly podcast hosted by Matthew Lloyd Roberts taking apart the architecture of individual buildings and InterCities – a monthly podcast hosted by Owen Hatherley exploring municipal transformation around the world. All three shows profile new, expert and diverse voices from across industry, journalism, academia and beyond. The Open City Podcast is produced by Hunter Charlton and Paige Reynolds. The commissioning editor is Merlin Fulcher. The Open City Podcast is supported by Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture platform and produced in association with the Architects’ Journal, London Society, C20 Society and Save Britain's Heritage. The Open City Podcast is recorded and produced at the Open City offices located in Bureau. To help support excellent and accessible, independent journalism about the buildings and the urban environment, please become an Open City Friend.Photo credit: Owen Hatherley portrait © Antonio Olmos Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 15, 2023 • 41min
The battle to save 20th century buildings from the bulldozer
On this week's show Phin speaks to the architecture critic, incoming chair of heritage campaign group Twentieth Century Society, and author of the new book ‘About Architecture: An Essential Guide in 55 Buildings’ - Hugh Pearman.// Architects issue an open letter to design journalists over the climate crisis // Conservationists' listing bid for Peckham Library rebuffed // Residents with communal heating see energy bills soar by 350 percent // And big changes approved for two iconic 1980s London locations // Click here to get early, ad-free access to the Londown, and support accessible independent journalism from Open City.The Londown is recorded and produced at the Open City offices located in Bureau. Bureau is a co-working space for creatives offering a new approach to membership workspace. Bureau prioritises not just room to think and do, but also shared resources and space to collaborate. To book a free day pass follow this link.The Londown is produced in association with the Architects’ Journal, and the C20 Society.The C20 Society are offering Londown supporters 20% off membership, just follow this link and use the code C20LONDOWN at the checkout.If you enjoyed the show, we recommend you subscribe to the AJ for all the latest news, building studies, expert opinion, cultural analysis, and business intelligence from the UK architecture industry. Listeners can save 15% on a subscription using this link. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 8, 2023 • 43min
Six years on from Grenfell – we ask why housing is still in crisis
This week Merlin speaks to the journalist and author of the powerful account of the Grenfell disaster ‘Show Me the Bodies’, Peter Apps.// Six years on from Grenfell – we ask why housing is still in crisis // Labour pledges discount land sales for local authority housebuilders // RIBA calls for urgent government action on crumbling hospitals // And how climate crisis could force a billion from their homes worldwideClick here to get early, ad-free access to the Londown, and support accessible independent journalism from Open City.The Londown is recorded and produced at the Open City offices located in Bureau. Bureau is a co-working space for creatives offering a new approach to membership workspace. Bureau prioritises not just room to think and do, but also shared resources and space to collaborate. To book a free day pass follow this link.The Londown is produced in association with the Architects’ Journal, and the C20 Society.The C20 Society are offering Londown supporters 20% off membership, just follow this link and use the code C20LONDOWN at the checkout.If you enjoyed the show, we recommend you subscribe to the AJ for all the latest news, building studies, expert opinion, cultural analysis, and business intelligence from the UK architecture industry. Listeners can save 15% on a subscription using this link. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 3, 2023 • 46min
Shaping spaces to be inclusive to all
In this episode the Landscape Institute's Neelam Sheemar speaks to Glen Macfarlane and Pierre Chin-Dickey from Macfarlane + Associates, and the writer and landscape architect Jill White.They discuss the power of design in making spaces feel welcoming, safe, and ultimately inclusive to all. Through conversations around signs and a new piece of child-friendly public realm on the site of the former Ilford photographic factory in Redbridge, they cover how designing for one group can risk alienating others, the balance between signage and natural way-finding, the power of speaking to the community, landscape architecture education and much more.To read their articles and all the others in this edition, you can find an online version of Landscape for free here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 25, 2023 • 29min
The millions of adults living with parents amid the housing crisis
This week Fran speaks to the architect, writer and producer Ewa Effiom.// Close to five million adults living with parents amid the housing crisis // A row over nightime closures of London’s finest skyline viewing point – Primrose Hill // Road safety campaigners call out politicians for normalising dangerous driving // And the world’s largest architecture festival opens in Venice // Click here to get early, ad-free access to the Londown, and support accessible independent journalism from Open City.The Londown is recorded and produced at the Open City offices located in Bureau. Bureau is a co-working space for creatives offering a new approach to membership workspace. Bureau prioritises not just room to think and do, but also shared resources and space to collaborate. To book a free day pass follow this link.The Londown is produced in association with the Architects’ Journal, and the C20 Society.The C20 Society are offering Londown supporters 20% off membership, just follow this link and use the code C20LONDOWN at the checkout.If you enjoyed the show, we recommend you subscribe to the AJ for all the latest news, building studies, expert opinion, cultural analysis, and business intelligence from the UK architecture industry. Listeners can save 15% on a subscription using this link. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 18, 2023 • 39min
The British Pavilion at this years Venice Biennale
This week Merlin travels to Venice to catch up with Jayden Ali, one of the curators for the British Pavilion at the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale.// The British Pavilion shines a light on everyday urban customs at this year’s Venice Architecture Biennale // Resident accuses a south London estate regeneration of ‘social cleansing’ in high court battle // BikeStormz under threat due to moral panic and unfair policing // And campaigners fight back over council bid to remove their plant pots //Click here to get early, ad-free access to the Londown, and support accessible independent journalism from Open City.The Londown is recorded and produced at the Open City offices located in Bureau. Bureau is a co-working space for creatives offering a new approach to membership workspace. Bureau prioritises not just room to think and do, but also shared resources and space to collaborate. To book a free day pass follow this link.The Londown is produced in association with the Architects’ Journal, and the C20 Society.The C20 Society are offering Londown supporters 20% off membership, just follow this link and use the code C20LONDOWN at the checkout.If you enjoyed the show, we recommend you subscribe to the AJ for all the latest news, building studies, expert opinion, cultural analysis, and business intelligence from the UK architecture industry. Listeners can save 15% on a subscription using this link. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 11, 2023 • 30min
With four months to go Open House Festival announces its guest curators
This week Sahiba speaks to Open House Festival assistant curator Hafsa Adan.// With four months to go Open House Festival announces its guest curators // A row erupts over the mass arrests of anti-Coronation protesters // The Museum of London is on target for a delayed 2026 opening // And should people who keep their gardens green receive a tax cut? //Click here to get early, ad-free access to the Londown, and support accessible independent journalism from Open City.The Londown is recorded and produced at the Open City offices located in Bureau. Bureau is a co-working space for creatives offering a new approach to membership workspace. Bureau prioritises not just room to think and do, but also shared resources and space to collaborate. To book a free day pass follow this link.The Londown is produced in association with the Architects’ Journal, and the C20 Society.The C20 Society are offering Londown supporters 20% off membership, just follow this link and use the code C20LONDOWN at the checkout.If you enjoyed the show, we recommend you subscribe to the AJ for all the latest news, building studies, expert opinion, cultural analysis, and business intelligence from the UK architecture industry. Listeners can save 15% on a subscription using this link. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 6, 2023 • 29min
SuperBloom and the not-so-green credentials of urban trees
In this episode Jaideep Warya, landscape architect at Allies and Morrison and Andrew Grant from Grant Associates, discuss how to steer projects and clients towards long-lasting, sustainable outcomes especially in their choice of materials.Through conversations about SuperBloom (Grant Associate's spectacular landscape in the moat of the Tower of London), and the not-so-green credentials of urban tree planting schemes (researched by Jai in the current edition of Landscape), they delve into issues of biodiversity, carbon sequestration and the profession's progress towards designing for a net zero future.To read their articles and all the others in this edition, you can find an online version of Landscape for free here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 4, 2023 • 34min
The Londown Transport Special
This week we revisit some of our favorite London transport stories we've covered over the past year/Episodes featured:The 15-minute city culture war debate with Denean RoweParis bans rental e-scooters with Neal ShasoreThe opening of Crossrail (the Elizabeth Line) with Deborah SauntThe plight of rail workers with Alpa DepaniThe argument for dismantling road infrastructure with Phin HarperAlternative uses for parking spaces with Deborah DennerClick here to get early, ad-free access to the Londown, and support accessible independent journalism from Open City.The Londown is recorded and produced at the Open City offices located in Bureau. Bureau is a co-working space for creatives offering a new approach to membership workspace. Bureau prioritises not just room to think and do, but also shared resources and space to collaborate. To book a free day pass follow this link.The Londown is produced in association with the Architects’ Journal, and the C20 Society.The C20 Society are offering Londown supporters 20% off membership, just follow this link and use the code C20LONDOWN at the checkout.If you enjoyed the show, we recommend you subscribe to the AJ for all the latest news, building studies, expert opinion, cultural analysis, and business intelligence from the UK architecture industry. Listeners can save 15% on a subscription using this link. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 20, 2023 • 36min
Poor housing costing NHS £1.4 billion each year
This week new host Fran Williams speaks to Melissa York, assistant property editor at The Times and The Sunday Times.|| Poor housing costing NHS £1.4 billion pounds each year || Rishi Sunak scraps housing targets amid pressure from Conservative members || Developers failing to deliver the play spaces London needs || And new data reveals enduring inequalities in the UK’s architecture industry ||Click here to get early, ad-free access to the Londown, and support accessible independent journalism from Open City.The Londown is recorded and produced at the Open City offices located in Bureau. Bureau is a co-working space for creatives offering a new approach to membership workspace. Bureau prioritises not just room to think and do, but also shared resources and space to collaborate. To book a free day pass follow this link.The Londown is produced in association with the Architects’ Journal, and the C20 Society. The C20 Society are offering Londown supporters 20% off membership, just follow this link and use the code C20LONDOWN at the checkout.If you enjoyed the show, we recommend you subscribe to the AJ for all the latest news, building studies, expert opinion, cultural analysis, and business intelligence from the UK architecture industry. Listeners can save 15% on a subscription using this link. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 13, 2023 • 34min
Gove admits Coalition policies added to social housing failures
This week Phin Harper speaks to the founder and director of the consultancy Municipal, Claire Bennie.| Gove admits Coalition policies added to social housing failures || Landlords roll out draconian new vetting procedures || UK insulation scheme set to take 300 years to meet targets || And the architecturally acclaimed London college facing demolition |Click here to get early, ad-free access to the Londown, and support accessible independent journalism from Open City.The Londown is recorded and produced at the Open City offices located in Bureau. Bureau is a co-working space for creatives offering a new approach to membership workspace. Bureau prioritises not just room to think and do, but also shared resources and space to collaborate. To book a free day pass follow this link.The Londown is produced in association with the Architects’ Journal, and the C20 Society.If you enjoyed the show, we recommend you subscribe to the AJ for all the latest news, building studies, expert opinion, cultural analysis, and business intelligence from the UK architecture industry. Listeners can save 15% on a subscription using this link. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
