Peter Murray OBE: Why London Needs a New Vision
In this episode of Urban Forecast, Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd sit down with Peter Murray OBE, one of the most influential voices in British architecture and urbanism. As co-founder of New London Architecture and former chairman of The London Society, Peter reflects on four decades shaping the conversation around London’s future and why he now wants to move from commentary into direct political action through his mayoral ambitions. The discussion explores the housing crisis, the failures and opportunities within the London Plan, the role of design in city making, and why architects need to become better businesspeople and communicators. Peter also shares his thoughts on AI, the future of architectural education, pedestrianisation, driverless transport, and what still makes London one of the world’s greatest cities. KEY TAKEAWAYS • Peter Murray believes London has not delivered enough housing and argues City Hall has reacted too slowly to changing economic conditions and viability pressures. • The private sector has become essential to delivering affordable housing, but policy must adapt quickly enough to keep projects viable and investment flowing. • Small sites and smaller developers could play a major role in solving London’s housing shortage if planning barriers were reduced. • Peter argues that design and architecture have slipped too far down the decision-making hierarchy in London governance. • London’s greatest strength is its adaptability. Peter believes the city continues to reinvent itself through crises, cultural change and migration. • AI will fundamentally reshape architecture and education, making creativity, critical thinking and cultural understanding more valuable than technical production skills. • Architects need to think like entrepreneurs and business leaders, not just designers, if the profession wants greater influence and better fees. • Cities must continue reducing the dominance of cars, reclaiming public space for pedestrians, cycling and better public transport. BEST MOMENTS • “London’s greatest strength is its adaptability.” • “You cannot have a successful city when young people can’t afford to live there.” • “We need STEAM, not STEM.” • “Roads are public spaces and should have pedestrian priority.” VALUABLE RESOURCES https://www.ackroydlowrie.com EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT Steve Watts: The Real Cost of Building London’s Skyline https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bghIBw5cmV4 Mike Reader MP on Fixing Britain’s Housing System https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO6OiedDBy8&t=1s 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 http://linkedin.com/company/urban-forecast-podcast Email: info@ackroydlowrie.com