Shows
The London Society PodcastTalk About London | The Southbank Centre - London’s favourite public space turns 75London’s Southbank Centre isn’t just an iconic cultural landmark — it’s a living example of resilience, innovation, and community spirit. In this episode, Elaine Bedell, CEO of the Southbank Centre, reveals how this historic space is navigating today's funding crisis, shifting public priorities, and the urgent need for capital repairs. From pandemic survival strategies to celebrating 75 years of cultural impact, Elaine shares the invisible architecture behind one of the world’s most beloved arts hubs.Discover how the Southbank Centre’s unique leasehold, owned by the government but operated by the community, shapes its future. Elai...
2026-02-0635 min
The London Society PodcastTalk about London | How did we get in this housing mess?In this episode of Talk About London, hosts Leanne Tritton, The London Society and Dave Hill, OnLondon discuss the ongoing housing crisis in London with guest Rowan Moore, renown journalist, architecture critic and author. They explore the historical context of the crisis, the role of government in providing affordable housing, and the need for innovative solutions. The conversation emphasizes the importance of viewing housing as a social good and the necessity of rethinking current policies, including the right to buy. The episode also touches on the challenges of micro living and the potential for repurposing existing buildings to address...
2025-12-0338 min
The London Society PodcastTalk About London | What does the rest of the world think about London?In this episode of Talk About London, hosts Leanne Tritton, The London Society and Dave Hill, OnLondon engage with Professor Greg Clark to explore the global perception of London. They discuss the city's historical significance, its challenges including Brexit and COVID, and the unique issues it faces compared to other major cities. The conversation also touches on London's reputation for crime and housing affordability, its status as a safe haven city, and the importance of government support. Ultimately, they reflect on the London Promise and the need for a balanced approach to growth and equity in the capital.
2025-11-2643 min
The London Society PodcastTalk About London – Architecture and What Will London Look Like in the FutureIn this episode of Talk About London, Leanne Tritton, London Society and Dave Hill, OnLondon talk with Muyiwa Oki, the youngest-ever President of the RIBA, about the evolution of architecture — and what London might look like in the future.They discuss whether the age of glass and steel is coming to an end, the rise of sustainable materials, and the collaboration between architects and scientists that could shape a zero-carbon future for London’s built environment.Highlights:The dominance of glass and steel is being re-evaluated.Inno...
2025-11-0334 min
The London Society PodcastTalk About London | Old Oak Common and Park Royal - London's Regeneration GiantIn this episode of Talk About London, Leanne Tritton, The London Society and Dave Hill, OnLondon discuss the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation with its chair, Dame Karen Buck. The conversation covers the current state of the development, its significance for London's future, the importance of food production in Park Royal, the role of railway infrastructure, procurement partnerships, community benefits, sustainability efforts, and lessons learned from past regeneration projects. Buck emphasizes the need for flexibility in housing plans and the commitment to providing affordable homes while ensuring local communities benefit from the development.Takeaways
2025-10-0237 min
The London Society PodcastTalk about London |The State of Our StreetsIn this episode, hosts Leanne Tritton, Chair of The London Society, and Dave Hill, founder and editor of OnLondon, are joined by Nicholas Boys-Smith, Chair and founder of Create Streets. Together they explore the state of London’s streets — from rubbish and “street scars” to the vital role they play in health, community life, and civic pride — and discuss what can be done to make them cleaner, safer, and more welcoming for everyone.Episode Running Order & Timestamps0:00 – 2:00 | IntroductionLeanne and Dave set the scene: why the condition of London’s streets matters for everyday l...
2025-09-2538 min
The London Society PodcastTalk About London | Planning BasicsHosts Leanne Tritton, The London Society and Dave Hill, OnLondon, as they delve into the intricacies of London's planning system with planning expert Mike Kiely. Discover how planning impacts housing, infrastructure, and urban development in the capital city. This episode demystifies the planning process, explores the role of local councils, and discusses the influence of the Mayor of London.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction by Leanne Tritton and Dave Hill 02:15 - The Basics of the Planning System 05:30 - Mike Kiely on Planning Myths and Realities 10:45 - The Role of Planning Officers vs. P...
2025-09-0946 min
The London Society PodcastTalk About London| Can Wimbledon expansion make everyone a winner?Explore the future of world renown Wimbledon in this episode of "Talk About London." Hosts Dave Hill, OnLondon and Leanne Tritton, The London Society are joined by Heather Topel, Estate Director for the All England Club, to discuss the ambitious expansion plans that promise to transform the iconic venue. Discover how the development of 38 new grass courts and a 27-acre public park will enhance the Wimbledon experience, offering significant benefits to both the local community and the broader public. Tune in to learn about the balance between tradition and innovation, and the exciting future that lies ahead for this...
2025-08-2231 min
The London Society PodcastTFL - One of London's biggest landownersIn this episode of Talk About London, Leanne Tritton and Dave Hill's guest is Graeme Craig, the chief executive of Places for London, to discuss the evolution of Transport for London's (TfL) land management strategy. They explore the establishment of Places for London, its role in housing development, and the importance of joint ventures with commercial partners. Graeme shares insights on major projects, the shift from car parks to housing, and the significance of overstation developments. The conversation also touches on affordable housing targets, community engagement, and the challenges faced in local development plans, particularly in South Kensington and...
2025-08-1146 min
The London Society PodcastTalk About London: How Greenwich got its homeless out of B&B'sIn this episode, Leanne Tritton and Dave Hill discuss the pressing issue of housing in London, focusing on Greenwich Council's successful strategies to reduce homelessness and reliance on temporary accommodation. They are joined by Leader of the Council, Cllr Anthony Okereke and Assistant Director Housing Needs and Tenancy, Shaun Flook, who share insights on the challenges faced during the pandemic, the assessment process for homelessness, and the innovative solutions implemented to provide stable housing for residents. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration across departments and the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle homelessness effectively....
2025-08-0541 min
The London Society PodcastTalk About London: Earl’s Court Update - Regenerating a Lost London LandmarkIn this episode of Talk About London, we return to one of the capital’s most talked-about regeneration projects – Earl’s Court.Once the site of a world-famous exhibition centre, the area has stood empty since 2015. But now, the Earls Court Development Company (ECDC) is leading a new plan to bring life, jobs, homes and cultural energy back to this long-dormant corner of London.This conversation picks up where we left off in the London Explained documentary podcast, first released in October 2023 and featuring ECDC CEO Rod Heasman. A lot has happened since then –...
2025-07-1833 min
The London Society PodcastTalk About London: Who will build the homes we need?In this episode of Talk About London, Dave Hill, Editor and Publisher of OnLondon and Leanne Tritton, Chair of The London Society talk to Amos Simbo OBE and Dave Rogers about the challenges facing the construction sector in meeting the new targets for house building as well as the demands for commercial office space and infrastructure across London. Much rests on being able to attract young people into the construction industry.Dave Rogers is the Deputy Editor of Building magazine and has spent over 30 years writing in and around the construction industry.Amos...
2025-06-2735 min
The London Society PodcastTalk About London: Introduction to the podcast seriesIn this episode, we discuss what we are trying to achieve with this podcast series about London and how plans and policies around the built environment shape our lives. Sometimes for better, sometimes not.We also learn hear from the co-hosts, Dave Hill and Leanne Tritton about their motivates for making the world of the built environment more interesting and easier to understand. You will also learn more about OnLondon and The London Society and explains what has inspired the launch of TALK ABOUT LONDON and what they hope their guests can provide for listeners.
2025-06-2715 min
The London Society PodcastTalk About London: Oxford Street PedestrianisationDave Hill, editor and publisher of OnLondon.co.uk, and Leanne Tritton, chair of The London Society, hear from their guest Alexander Jan, a brilliant expert on the workings and economics of central London.Many plans have been made to solve the problems of London's famous Oxford Street, but not many have come to fruition or worked for long. Many have called for its pedestrianisation, but that is far from as easy as it sounds. Alex guides us through the many, often conflicting, challenges, and points towards some ways they might be met. Hosted on...
2025-05-2137 min
The London Society PodcastTalk About London: Chelsea Flower Show & The Green Revival in LondonIn this episode of TALK ABOUT LONDON, co-hosts Dave Hill (OnLondon) and Leanne Tritton (Chair, The London Society) are joined by award-winning landscape designer Charlotte Harris to explore the growing momentum behind London’s green revival—and how one of Britain’s most beloved institutions, the Chelsea Flower Show, sits at the heart of it.Charlotte, a multi–Gold Medal winner at Chelsea, shares insights into what makes the event so extraordinary—from its scale and style to its £200 million direct economic impact and its deep cultural resonance. Charlotte reflects on how Chelsea have shaped her career designing spa...
2025-05-0534 min
The London Society PodcastTalk About London: In Conversation with Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor of LondonIn episode 2 of Talk About London, Dave Hill, editor and publisher of OnLondon.co.uk, and Leanne Tritton, chair of The London Society, discover what Jules Pipe CBE does all day (clue: it's a lot), the difference last year's change of national government has made (clue: it's a big one), why urban planning is very, very complicated and what the chances are of a lot more homes getting built in London in the near future.Jules Pipe CBE BiographyJules Pipe is working on key priorities for the Mayor, including: implementation of the...
2025-04-1948 min
The London Society PodcastLondon Explained: Brick LaneIn the fifth episode of this series, Dave Hill explores Brick Lane, which runs through the heart of Spitalfields in the East End and has a special place in London's history. For centuries, the narrow street and its surrounding area has been a place of industry and of sanctuary for incomers from other parts of the world.In recent decades, this avenue has transformed into a creative and leisure quarter, full of cafés, bars, crafts markets, vintage clothing shops and entertainment as well as workspace. Central to this has been the reinvention of the former T...
2025-04-1637 min
The London Society PodcastTalk About London: The London Growth PlanThe London Society and OnLondon.co.uk welcome you to the podcast series called Talk About London in which co-presenters Leanne Tritton, chair of the London Society, and Dave Hill, publisher and editor of On London, explore big themes about the capital’s built environment, including housing, transport, architecture, planning, culture and all else that goes with it with the help of expert guests. Each episode will seek to enlighten, educate and entertain its audience about a topical issue that affects the daily lives of Londoners and their futures, rising above the fray of culture wars a...
2025-03-2835 min
The London Society PodcastLondon Explained: Central District AllianceIn our fourth podcast, we explore the five different neighbourhoods (and their blurred boundaries) contained within the Central District Alliance, stretching from Clerkenwell to Tottenham Court Road.Presenter Dave Hill takes us on a journey through both the history and geography of the area which features a wealth of private and public spaces covering hundreds of years. Religious orders, markets, gin-making, legal practices, gardens, squares, universities, museums, churches, towers and the tech industry all show us how the past, present and future collide in the buildings and landscape of this unique part of L...
2024-09-1638 min
The London Society PodcastLondon Explained: Marble ArchEpisode 3 of London Explained tells the story of Marble Arch, one of London’s loveliest historic monuments which has been marooned on a roundabout at the western end of Oxford Street, severed from the park it once formed an entrance to and disconnected from its regal past. But now big plans are afoot to restore the arch to its former glory, make it the focal point of a tranquil new public space and tackle some of the traffic flow that blights it. Journalist Dave Hill tells the story of the area, once a grim location for pub...
2024-02-1935 min
The London Society PodcastLondon Explained: Fleet Street QuarterEpisode 2 of London Explained takes a deep-dive into the Fleet Street Quarter, examining what makes this part of London so historically important and the huge impact that the pandemic has had on local businesses. The times they are a-changin’ and so Dave Hill has conducted a series of interviews that reveal some of the new projects that are underway to bring a bit of magic back to Fleet Street. This work is vital to encourage people to return to the City, for work and leisure. He also speaks to the custodians who are ensuring that the built heritage of th...
2023-12-1935 min
The London Society PodcastLondon Explained: Earls CourtEpisode 1 of the London Society's new podcast, London Explained, will investigate ideas for regenerating Earls Court, a place of legend in inner west London. Little has been achieved beyond the flattening of the Earls Court Exhibition Centre, which gave the area much of its life and character. Now, a new development company with a new approach is putting a new plan together. It says it wants to create a sustainable, affordable, mixed-use scheme that has community support and will, in its own words “bring the wonder back” to the area. Dave Hill tells the story of a unique part of th...
2023-09-2534 min
The London Society PodcastGeorgia Gould - the 2023 Banister Fletcher LectureThe live recording of Cllr Georgia Gould's Banister Fletcher Lecture, given to an audience of 300 at RIBA in Portland Place.The chair of London Councils and leader of Camden sets out a powerful agenda for change ranging from drawing on the strengths of communities to transforming relationships with national government.In her 50-minute address Cllr Gould sets out a range of imaginative, already-emerging new approaches to working with London’s varied communities, together with proposals for building on those initiatives, for transforming relationships between London and other UK cities and national government, and fo...
2023-03-071h 06The London Society PodcastThe Future of the West EndLondon’s West End, so vital to the capital and the country, took a huge battering from Covid-19. But it is recovering slowly and also adapting to changes brought about and accelerated by the pandemic. Dave Hill, London Society trustee and editor of On London, went into town and spoke to three people about the new West End that is emerging: John McRae of architects Orms, designers of the radical new entertainment venue The Outernet: Grosvenor’s Heather Topel, who talks about plans to transform the South Molton Triangle; and Geoff Barraclough, Westminster Council’s cabinet member for planning and ec...
2022-12-2217 minThe London Society PodcastLove Letters to London 2022Listen to the winners and runners-up entries from the first Love Letters to London writing competition organised by The London Society.There were nearly 500 entries from all ages and from all around the globe, writing on the theme of "recovery and resilience", a celebration of the capital as it emerged from lockdowns.We’re biased, but we believe London is the greatest city in the world. It is the nation’s capital, but woven from hundreds of separate communities; the economic powerhouse of the UK with a richly diverse demographic. It has an amaz...
2022-12-1330 minThe London Society PodcastEast Bank StoryA new powerhouse for innovation, creativity and learning on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 'East Bank' is a unique collaboration between world-leading universities, arts and cultural institutions that will transform this part of east London.In this first podcast from The London Society, Dave Hill talks about the development and meets some of the people involved in the vision. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2022-12-0617 minThe London Society Podcast"Cities Need Slums"Broadcaster Robert Elms gives The London Society's Banister Fletcher Lecture"The poor, the marginal, the young, the creative and the bohemian are the lifeblood of urban life, but they are being excluded, expelled, exiled from our great urban centres by the process of making everything luxury, exclusive, designed and desirable.We must desist from ‘developing' every area to within an inch of its life; Kings Cross, once a dangerous wonderland is now a chic but sterile designer mall. Punk once happened on the Kings Road. Pushing people to the periphery, like in Paris, is...
2022-12-061h 01