Urban Forecast

Mete Coban’s passion for giving young people a voice stems from his own experiences growing up in Hackney. Listen to this episode to hear about his inspiring journey; born in an estate in Hackney, and now Cabinet Member for Energy, Waste, Transport and Public Realm. He was the youngest ever elected Councillor in the London borough of Hackney, he has been implementing the Climate Emergency Plan in the London Borough of Hackney, introducing the most radical transport plan in London, as well as green grants and a pioneering Community Energy Fund.As Chief Executive of My Life My Say, Mete is best known for contributing to the increase of turnout for young people at the 2017 and 2019 UK General Elections.In the New Years 2020 honours list, Mete received an MBE for services to young people recognising his efforts to make politics more accessible for the younger generation.In this fascinating episode, Mete talks us through how the challenges of his childhood have empowered him as a young leader to seek out a voice for young people.

Recent architecture graduates share their frustrations with job hunting during the pandemic, leading to the creation of a podcast. The episode explores diverse career paths post-architecture education and the impact on underrepresented voices. It discusses strategies for architects to establish their own practices, the benefits of apprenticeships, and the evolution from startup mentality to a structured company. The conversation also delves into the increasing importance of entrepreneurship in architecture and the balance between architect and entrepreneur roles.

Join us in this episode where Nicholas Boys Smith, the Chair of the Government’s Office for Place and Founder of Create Streets, sets out his vision for how we tackle the two fundamental challenges that have changed the direction of planning policy, as well as his career:It matters that we don’t have enough homesIt matters what people like when it comes to the places that we createA drive through South London 12 years ago led Nicholas on a voyage of discovery to try to understand why the places that the current planning and development system creates appear (in his words) to “replicate many, but not all, of the errors of what it is replacing”Nicholas founded Create Streets to try to understand what people actually want, and advocate for design solutions that will lead to better outcomes in terms of resident satisfaction, and allow developers to build places that ‘make people fall in love with the future’.His work on the Building Better Building Beautiful Commission led to a role Chairing the Governments’ new Office for Place, which has been influential in the creation of planning policy over the last five years.In this episode, Nicholas describes his background, what drives his passion for places, and how he goes about working with private and public sector partners to define the future of our urban and sub-urban realm.

Welcome to this week's episode of our podcast, where we're joined by Danny Thorpe, former Leader of Greenwich Council whose passion for transforming places was shaped by his upbringing in the Ferrier Estate in Greenwich.In this episode, Danny takes us through his route into politics where his passion for social justice and community welfare saw him chosen for the role of Cabinet Member for Regeneration, before taking on the role of Leader of the Council.Danny discusses his experience of working with the Public and Private sectors to deliver ambitious transformation within the borough.As the former Leader of Greenwich Council, Danny spearheaded “Greenwich Builds”, the largest council house building programme the borough had ever seen and led responses to critical challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic. His leadership extended to broader roles within London, including overseeing health and care portfolios for London Councils.Today, Danny continues his impactful role working for Clarion Housing Association where he shapes the future of our cities through housing development and political advocacy.Join us as we delve into Danny's inspiring journey, his influence on the intersection of politics and property, and his enduring commitment to creating inclusive and thriving urban communities.

In the latest episode of the Urban Forecast, Ben Cross, Development Director at General Projects, shares his transformative journey from The North to the architecture scene in London. After a decade in renowned practices, Ben pivoted to development, realising the innate synergy between creative thinking and solving large-scale, complex problems. At General Projects, he uses his architectural background to navigate the issues that need to be solved when reimagining existing buildings, emphasising the need for creative solutions aligned with business plans and investor expectations. Don't miss this episode for a concise exploration of Ben Cross's unique path, and the insights that he has gained from working at one of the UK’s most pioneering commercial developers. 

In the latest episode of the Urban Forecast podcast, Krupa Sheth, the youngest councillor ever elected in Brent, takes us on a compelling journey from her unexpected entry into politics whilst still at University, to the transformation of the Borough of Brent during her time in Local Government. Reflecting on the constant concerns of the Brent community, including clean environments, education, and housing, Krupa discusses her instrumental part in crafting Brent's climate emergency policies and the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. She explores the delicate balance between urban development and community engagement, emphasizing the importance of transparent dialogue with developers, and with residents. The conversation concludes with insights into the impact of budget cuts on local services and the critical need for national support in investing in local councils. Join us for a thought-provoking episode, where Krupa Sheth's experiences highlights the complex interplay of local governance, urban development, and climate action in shaping the urban forecast.

In this captivating interview, we sit down with Matt Griffiths-Rimmer, the Director of Communications and Impact at Hadley Property Group, to explore his unique journey from being a musician in his twenties and thirties to his role working at Hadley Properties focusing on engaging with Communities and Businesses to re-imagine how Placemaking can be undertaken in Regeneration Projects.Matt's transition from a "crazy artist" to a community advocate makes him the ideal person to negotiate the complex process of weaving creative communities into the fabric of a new development, and also makes him an ideal guest to talk about the future of cities.

In this episode of Urban Forecast, we delve into the dynamic intersection of artificial intelligence and architecture with guest Allister Lewis. A former architect turned AI enthusiast, Allister shares insights into the evolving landscape of AI tools within the construction industry. The conversation explores:The likely significant impact of AI on the architecture and construction industries, particularly in generative design.The experimentation phase expected over the next three years, and how the industry will transform over the next 5-10 yearsThe potential for AI to unleash Offsite ConstructionThe potential for AI to create efficiency and redundancy in the same measure.The episode concludes with a sneak peek into Allister's startup, which aims to create a comprehensive marketplace for architecture, engineering, and construction software, promising to revolutionise the way professionals discover, test, and adopt these innovative solutions.Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the evolving relationship between AI and the future of architecture and construction.

How can we design and build cities that will design a fairer future : Panel debate recorded at the Labour Party Conference 2023 with Cllr Bella Sankey, Cllr Kieron Williams, Marvin Rees, Cllr Krupa Sheth, Cllr Mete Coban and Jon Ackroyd.Welcome to a very special episode of the Urban Forecast Podcast! Recorded at our exclusive Breakfast Club Briefing, this episode features an impressive lineup of guest speakers who are leading the way in shaping the future of urban development. We had the honour of hosting Cllr Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council; Cllr Kieron Williams, Leader of Southwark Council; Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol City; Cllr Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure, and Climate Action, LB Brent; Cllr Mete Coban MBE, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, LB Hackney; and Jon Ackroyd, an award-winning Chartered Architect and Co-founder of Ackroyd Lowrie. Guiding our discussion as the event's chair is Oliver Lowrie, an Architect and Co-founder of Ackroyd Lowrie.In this episode, our panel of distinguished speakers engaged in thought-provoking discussions and provided expert insights into designing cities that prioritise fairness, inclusivity, and equity for all. We explore innovative approaches, policies, and strategies that can transform our urban spaces into vibrant, inclusive environments, leaving no one behind.

In this episode of the Urban Forecast Podcast, we sat down with Andrew Teacher, founder of Blackstock Consulting and currently the Managing Director for real estate in ESG at Montfort, whose life story is a testament to the pursuit of creativity and resilience.We begin by revisiting Andrew's school days, where he and his friends ventured into the world of publishing, creating a magazine provocatively named "Balls." Their enthusiasm led them to cover diverse topics, from sports to music, and even secure press passes to major sporting events, igniting Andrew's passion for photography as well as journalism. However, life took an unforeseen turn when he faced a vision impairment, prompting him to use his talent for journalism and narrative within the Property Industry. Andrew takes us through the founding of Blackstock, from its early startup days to its acquisition last year by Montfort, and the insights he has gained into the property industry along the way.Tune in to this episode of the Urban Forecast Podcast for a tale of determination, reinvention, and the enduring power of passion.