Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz of Newham, the first female directly elected mayor of a London borough, believes people must be involved in decision-making to improve the design of both the built environment and the way local authorities provide services. Finding 'hard to hear' voices and giving them a say is a powerful tool in improving opportunity and reducing inequality she argues. Her approach could herald a change in the way we organise society to tackle challenges highlighted by 2020.