Urban Forecast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Is renting the future of housing in the UK? In this episode of Urban Forecast, we sit down with Michael Keaveney, Director of Land and Development at Grainger PLC, to explore the evolution of Build to Rent (BTR) and its impact on the housing market. From navigating planning challenges to the sustainability debate, Michael shares his insights on where the sector is heading, the role of investors, and whether BTR can truly help solve the UK’s housing crisis.

We also discuss the 'Goldilocks zone' for BTR viability, why placemaking is critical to long-term success, and the policy changes that could make or break the industry’s growth. Whether you're an investor, developer, or simply interested in the future of housing, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

 Key Takeaways:

Build to Rent is here to stay – BTR has grown significantly in recent years, but challenges remain in scaling it to meet demand.

The ‘Goldilocks’ principle – BTR only works in locations where land costs and rental income align, making it viable in some areas but not others.

Sustainability is a renter’s concern—up to a point – Operational energy costs matter, but embodied carbon remains low on the priority list for tenants.

The importance of placemaking – BTR developments thrive when they integrate well with their surroundings and contribute to local communities.

Policy and investment are crucial – Government subsidies, planning reform, and investor confidence all shape the future of the sector.

COVID-19 accelerated the rise of BTR – Lockdowns highlighted the importance of quality rental housing with strong amenities.

Tenant expectations are evolving – More renters are considering EPC ratings and total cost of living when choosing a home.

Subsidy is essential for affordable housing – Without increased government support, BTR alone won’t solve the UK’s housing crisis.

Best Moments (Quotes):

“COVID-19 really proved the value of Build to Rent – people started to understand why quality rental housing matters.”

“If you get placemaking wrong, your development won’t work – it has to feel like part of the community, not just a block of flats.”

“The reality is, you can’t have subsidised housing without subsidy – social rent needs serious government support.”

“There’s a ‘Goldilocks’ zone for Build to Rent – too expensive, and it doesn’t stack up. Too cheap, and it won’t get built.”

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Ackroyd Lowrie

Grainger PLC

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Modernise or Die: the hard truths about MMC and housing delivery

How ESG can make you money and help the planet with Andy Cox 

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.

CONNECT & CONTACT

Instagram

LinkedIn

Email: info@ackroydlowrie.com

In this episode of Urban Forecast, we sit down with Andy Cox, Director & Co-founder of Trigon, to discuss the evolving landscape of development management, ESG, and the Building Safety Act. Andy shares his journey into real estate, the challenges of navigating increasing regulation, and why sustainability must be more than a compliance exercise.

With discussions around risk management, stranded assets, and the impact of regulation on development, this episode is a must-listen for anyone in the property, construction, or investment sectors.

Are we drowning in legislation, or can we carve out a clearer path forward? Tune in to find out.

 Key Takeaways:

From karaoke to construction – Andy’s unconventional route into real estate and why people, not just projects, fuel his passion.

The real impact of ESG – Why sustainability isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have’ but essential for asset resilience.

Regulation overload? – The tension between economic growth and increasing legal constraints in the UK property market.

The risk of stranded assets – How developers are adapting to maintain asset value amid rising ESG expectations.

Building Safety Act realities – What’s working, what’s not, and why clarity is key for the industry.

Procurement evolution – Are we heading towards a new hybrid model of development and construction management?

A housing market in limbo – Can planning reform, increased housing targets, and viability challenges ever align?

What’s next? – Predictions for 2025 and beyond—will we see real progress, or are we in for another year of uncertainty?


 Best Moments (Quotes):

 “Sustainability shouldn’t be a bolt-on. It needs to be woven into everything we do.” – Andy Cox

 “We’ve got the accelerator on and the brake on at the same time. No wonder the industry is stalling.” – Oli

 “The Building Safety Act has changed the definition of compliance - it’s no longer about ticking a box.” – Andy Cox

 “If we want certainty in the market, we need to distill regulation - not just keep adding more.” – Jon


VALUABLE RESOURCES

Ackroyd Lowrie - https://www.ackroydlowrie.com/

Trigon - https://trigon-dm.com/about/

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

The Architect who entered politics - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmrNRTM5HKk

Modernise or Die: the hard truths about MMC and housing delivery - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW4N6hDk5i4

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.

CONNECT & CONTACT

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ackroydlowrie/reel/CpcSrjlDreV/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/urban-forecast-podcast

Email: info@ackroydlowrie.com

In the final part of our series on Urban Co-Living, we welcome Jenna Harris, Head of Co-Living and Co-Founder of Harris Studios at Harris Associates. Jenna shares her expert insights and innovative ideas on the evolving world of co-living.

Join us as we discuss the journey of Harris Associates, a leading firm in real estate known for its groundbreaking strategies and creative marketing solutions. Jenna talks about her background, from her start in digital marketing to her role in shaping modern co-living spaces.

We explore how marketing, content, and property come together to create vibrant living environments, and discuss the challenges and opportunities in the co-living sector, including changes in investor interests and the importance of community-driven spaces.

Harris Associates leads the way in innovation, creating tailored, content-driven campaigns that achieve outstanding results in real estate. Whether you’re an investor, a real estate professional, or curious about the future of urban living, this episode offers valuable insights into the trends and changes shaping our cities.

Discover how Harris Associates is setting new standards in co-living. Don’t miss this insightful conversation with one of the industry's leading thinkers. Listen now to be inspired by the future of co-living!

Please note, this episode was recorded on 6th December 2023, and some topics discussed may have evolved since then.

Welcome to our special three-part series on the emerging co-living sector. In this series, we explore how co-living is transforming urban living and addressing critical societal issues.

In our first episode, we sit down with Brent Stojanovic, a seasoned expert in creative communications, brand development, and the property sector. Brent is the Director of Verv Life specialists in management of BTR, Co-Living and PBSA properties. Brent discusses the significant role co-living plays in combating loneliness and building community in today's society. With insights from a Savills study identifying a substantial market for co-living, we delve into how this innovative housing model creates supportive environments and meaningful connections for individuals living alone.

Join us as we uncover the potential of co-living to reshape urban living and enhance the well-being of residents.

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Carolyn Steel, the visionary author behind Sitopia: How Food Can Save the World and Hungry City: How Food Shapes Our Lives. With over 1 million views on her TED Talk, "How Food Shapes Our Cities," Carolyn delves into the intricate relationship between urban environments and the natural infrastructure needed to sustain them.

Join us as we explore how cities can integrate natural systems to create more resilient and sustainable urban spaces. We also discuss our exciting collaboration with the urban farm ‘Growing Communities’ in Dagenham, where we're developing a new visitors’ centre aimed at educating the public about the essential role of natural systems in food production. Discover how food can transform our cities for the better!

Tune in for a conversation that promises to redefine how we think about the spaces we live in and the food that sustains us.

Chris Williamson is Chairman of the board at Weston Williamson + Partners which he founded in 1985.

Chris was recently the International Vice President of the RIBA responsible for setting a strategy to grow into a global membership institution and to encourage more UK architects to seek work globally, and is running for RIBA President at the moment. 

This episode covers how one book changed his life and took him from a rural midlands village to running a successful London-based practice with his business partner for 40 years, before selling the business last year. 

The episode also covers Chris’ opinion on the challenges that the industry faces, and the changing role of the architect in a rapidly changing world. 

If you missed us at UKREiiF - catch all the insights here! In this episode of the Urban Forecast Podcast, live-streamed from the ‘Industry in Focus’ Pavilion at UKREiiF 2024, our panel of experts: Nicholas Boys Smith, Tim Heatley, Dan Swords and Ghislaine Halpenny, discuss the future of housing and placemaking.

In this engaging and informal session, our panelists explore ‘Shaping Our Places in the Next 5 Years, tackling key topics such as regeneration, community engagement, and the pivotal role of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) in urban development.

The conversation is rich with practical insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping our urban environments, making it a must-listen for those interested in the latest trends in sustainable development.

Grab a drink, sit back, and tune in to this stimulating episode that brings the lively UKREiiF discussion directly to you.

Karolina Grebowiec-Hall is Planning Decisions Manager at Enfield Council and started the 'Pinch yourself You're a Planner Podcast' in response to her feeling that the planning profession hasn’t been getting the admiration it deserves. 

In her words "Planners are a passionate bunch.  We need opportunities to take back the conversation, define by ourselves who we are and reclaim the joy of what we do.

Pinch Yourself, You’re a Planner is a spirited place containing a mine of stories from planners all over the UK about what they take pride in and how they stay optimistic and engaged"

In this episode we discuss Karolina's reflections on the UK and London Planning system, its challenges and nuances, and where it succeeds and fails. She gives us a Planners' view on the application process, and we discuss the potential opportunities and downsides of planning reform.

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.

Join us for this collaborative episode between Urban Forecast and the 1:100 Podcast.

For those who haven’t heard of the 1:100 Architecture Podcast, it is a transformative platform uniting architects and creatives worldwide. Through raw and relatable personal experiences as 7 women of colour, they ignite an ethical design approach while expanding opportunities for design enthusiasts everywhere. Their mission is to empower individuals like them, fostering confidence in their unique abilities to thrive with originality, creativity, and innovation. By curating engaging content, design tips, and thought-provoking architectural conversations, 1:100 cater to diverse backgrounds, inspiring confidence and enabling individuals to embrace their full potential.

In this joint episode, we discuss different perspectives on the role of the Architect, and how the education system currently serves those entering the industry from diverse backgrounds, and how entrepreneurship can allow the profession to transform in a shifting economy.