Talk About London: Earl’s Court Update - Regenerating a Lost London Landmark
In 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 – the masterplan has evolved, London’s economic context has shifted, and the need for high-quality, climate-conscious development has only grown.Leanne Tritton, Chair of the London Society, and journalist Dave Hill, Editor and Publisher of OnLondon speak with Rebekah Paczek (Director of Public Affairs, Social Impact and Community Relations) and Sharon Giffen (Head of Design) from ECDC for an honest update on what’s changed, what’s still to come, and when we might finally see diggers on site.They discuss the design ambitions, financial challenges, and political complexity of delivering across two very different boroughs – Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham – and reflect on what’s needed to make this new vision a success where earlier efforts fell short. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Talk 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 Simba is the founder of Black Professionals in Construction (BPIC) which has over 11,000 members and is the founder of construction consultancy, Winway Group. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Talk About London: Introduction to the podcast series
In 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.Links: London 2012: From Waste Land to Gold RushWhen Britain Built Something Big Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Talk About London: Oxford Street Pedestrianisation
Dave 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 Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Talk About London: Chelsea Flower Show & The Green Revival in London
In 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 spaces for RHS Bridgewater, commercial developers like Fabrix, and even celebrities like Cara Delevingne.We then broaden the lens to look at the renewed focus on greening London. Is it a genuine revival or just a fashionable phase? And how does it compare to earlier moments in the city’s green history, like the Victorian park movement?From public realm regeneration to private commissions, Charlotte offers a grounded view of how urban landscapes are evolving, and what planners, developers and designers need to do to keep pace with Londoners’ growing demand for natural space.If you're interested in how plants, policy and public space intersect in the capital, this is a conversation not to miss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The London Society is for all those who love London. Our aim is to translate and bring clarity to the complex issues that impact on our ‘built environment’ and ultimately the people who live and work in London.Founded in 1912 by a group of influential Londoners concerned about the lack of vision for the future of the capital, for more than 100 years it has brought people together to debate key issues about the future of London.London needs an independent forum that can act independently to support people in discovering and discussing important matters that face the city. The London Society has been and remains that place. Be part of the revival and listen to the debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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