UCL Future Cities

In this new series, UCL Future Cities explores the complexity of urban living. We’ll be examining today’s most crucial topics and how technology, climate change, health and society all interconnect with the urban spaces of tomorrow. Listen to cutting edge conversations from experts who ask what the future of our cities might be and how new research and applied innovation can help. In this first six-part series, we’re looking at London and what the future holds for the city’s many communities. Tune in every Thursday for discussions on gentrification, city planning, and the effects of Brexit and coronavirus on the capital, plus much more.

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Episodes

Live Finale: From New York to Camden The High Line Effect

For our live finale event, we hosted a fascinating debate with Christoph Lindner, Dean of The Bartlett and editor of Deconstructing the High Line: Postindustrial Urbanism and the Rise of the Elevated Park; Simon Pitkeathley, CEO of Camden Town Unlimited and the Camden Highline; and Jodie Eastwood, CEO of London’s Knowledge Quarter, who explore how the New York ‘High Line effect’ might shape the future of Camden. Using the learnings from the New York High Line, they discuss the impact this famous...

Nov 11, 2021•48 min•Ep. 6

Learning and working in a future London

This week, we’re looking at knowledge, skills and jobs in a future London. How has the pandemic affected education, and what lessons can we take from it in the future? How can we continue to attract and retain talent in an era of virtual working, and how will increasing digitisation augment learning and social justice? Join special guests Prof Allison Littlejohn (Professor and Director of the UCL Knowledge Lab, IOE), Lalage Clay (Director of Education and Talent at London & Partners) and Dia...

Jun 03, 2021•23 min•Ep. 5

Memory Maps of London

This episode is all about the capital’s memory maps and why we need to remember and preserve the past as we step into the future. We’ll be taking a look at several memory maps from around London and how these intersect with culture, gender, race and religion. Tune in to special guests Leah Lovett (Research fellow at UCL’s Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis), Montaz Marche (UCL Alumna, PhD Student and Research Assistant for the City of Women Map), Lettice Kemp (former Head of Content for the vi...

May 27, 2021•29 min•Ep. 4

Is London truly a Smart City?

This week’s episode is all about Smart Cities – but what does that mean in reality? We are living and working in a city where technology is becoming increasingly embedded into the fabric of London. But is this technological freedom improving our lives or is consumer exploitation enslaving us? Should we be resisting or embracing urban technology? Join the discussion with special guests Dr Sarah Wise and Prof Duncan Wilson from the Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis at The Bartlett, UCL's Facult...

May 20, 2021•29 min•Ep. 3

How gentrification has created a city of paradoxes

Gentrification has become synonymous with London. While being a system of development, gentrification has created a city of paradoxes. In this episode, we'll be examining how can a city like London contain such extreme divisions between wealth and poverty? Why do we keep building homes that no one can afford? Is it possible to do gentrification in a better, fairer way? Listen to special guests Professor Christoph Lindner, Dean of The Bartlett, UCL’s Faculty of the Built Environment, Hannah Sende...

May 13, 2021•32 min•Ep. 2

Post-Pandemic, Post-Brexit London

What are the challenges facing London as it comes out of the pandemic and into a post-Brexit world? Join Prof Alan Thompson , Pro-Vice-Provost for London, in conversation with Dr Jon Reades from The Bartlett, UCL’s Faculty of the Built Environment. Show Notes and Transcript https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ucl-minds/podcasts/ucl-future-cities 'Why Face-to-Face Still Matters' by Jon Reades and Martin Crookston...

May 06, 2021•25 min•Ep. 1