Housing, Community, and the Future: A New Approach to Urban Inequality
Welcome back to Fair Enough. In this episode, Lauren and Victoria tackle the pressing issue of spatial inequality, focusing on the dynamics of cities and urban development.
Joined by expert guests Bridget Wilkins, Head of Adoption, Engagement and Innovation at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and Professor Mike Raco from the Bartlett School of Planning, the conversation explores the intersection of housing, community control, and the planning system.
In this episode:
Joined by expert guests Bridget Wilkins, Head of Adoption, Engagement and Innovation at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and Professor Mike Raco from the Bartlett School of Planning, the conversation explores the intersection of housing, community control, and the planning system.
In this episode:
- Housing Access and Fairness
The critical issues surrounding housing availability, ownership, and the impact on social mobility and opportunity.
- Decision-Making and Local Control
Exploring the challenges communities face in influencing decisions that affect their lives and environments.
- The Role of Technology in Urban Planning
How innovations like AI can streamline planning processes while ensuring community engagement and input remain at the forefront.
- Community-Led Regeneration
The importance of empowering communities to take charge of their local environments and the potential for new models of collaboration.
- Rethinking Economic Models
The necessity of transforming the relationship between the state, developers, and community interests to create equitable urban spaces.
Mike & Bridget both share their insights on the future of urban development, the role of technology, and the urgent need for a more inclusive planning system that prioritises community needs. This episode is a call to rethink how we approach urban inequality and the structures that underpin it.
Fair Enough is a podcast from UCL’s Grand Challenge of Inequalities, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to explore innovative ideas and solutions for delivering everyday justice.
Fair Enough is proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative
Mike & Bridget both share their insights on the future of urban development, the role of technology, and the urgent need for a more inclusive planning system that prioritises community needs. This episode is a call to rethink how we approach urban inequality and the structures that underpin it.
Fair Enough is a podcast from UCL’s Grand Challenge of Inequalities, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to explore innovative ideas and solutions for delivering everyday justice.
Fair Enough is proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative
Creators and Guests
Host
Lauren Andres
Lauren Andres is Pro-Vice-Provost for Inequalities at UCL Grand Challenges. She is also Professor of Planning and Urban Transformations at The Bartlett School of Planning, UCL, where she serves as Director of Research. An interdisciplinary urban scholar, Lauren explores how cities adapt and transform in times of crisis, from pandemics to emerging technologies. Her work focuses on resilience, sustainability and social justice, with a particular emphasis on the experiences of vulnerable groups, including children and young people. Her recent research spans pandemic recovery, future crisis preparedness, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in urban governance, with projects across the UK, China, and globally.
Host
Victoria Austin
Victoria Austin is Pro-Vice-Provost for Inequalities at UCL Grand Challenges. She is also Associate Professor of Social Justice and Innovation at UCL Engineering and co-founder of the Global Disability Innovation Hub, a global organisation working across 40+ countries to drive disability innovation for a fairer world. She now serves as Strategic Director, having stepped down as founding CEO in 2024. Victoria’s research sits at the intersection of disability justice, technology and urban development, with a strong focus on participatory, real-world solutions. She teaches on UCL East’s Innovation for a Fairer World and co-leads a Master’s on global disability and technology.
