In this episode of the Grow Places Podcast, Tom Larsson is joined by John Williams of Scail UK to explore what it really means to get ahead with AI — and where the built environment should be doubling down as technology accelerates. John shares his journey from journalism, through senior marketing roles in property, to building AI-led businesses focused not on hype, but on unlocking the story inside organisational data.

Together, they discuss why AI is only as powerful as the data and context behind it, why real estate still struggles to understand the “why” behind customer decisions, and how unstructured conversations — from stakeholder meetings to emails — can become structured intelligence when approached with the right methodology. The conversation expands into the future of cities, personal AI agents, and what it might mean for buildings and neighbourhoods to publish meaningful data rather than relying on static digital interfaces. At its heart, this is an optimistic discussion about AI removing administrative burden and amplifying the most human parts of our work: judgement, creativity, synthesis, and relationships.

In this episode of the Grow Places Podcast, host Tom Larsson is joined by Ailish Killilea of The Townscape Consultancy, for a compelling exploration of heritage, townscape, and their roles in shaping places people want to live, work, and visit.

Ailish reflects on her journey from the west of Ireland to London’s complex urban fabric and her experiences running marathons, sharing how her fascination with human experience and design led to a career in townscape and heritage consulting. The conversation covers the nuanced balance between preservation and progress, how to assess the significance of buildings and places, and the often overlooked human side of planning — from daily commutes to moments of surprise and civic pride.

With references to cities like Barcelona, Paris, and Chicago, this episode offers insight into global approaches to urban identity and density, as well as the importance of collaborative, iterative design processes in shaping sensitive, context-aware development.

Whether you're a planner, architect, developer, or simply someone who cares about how cities evolve, this episode offers an inspiring look at how to build the future without erasing the past. 

In this powerful episode of the Grow Places Podcast, Tom Larsson speaks with Pooja Agrawal, co-founder and CEO of Public Practice, a pioneering not-for-profit that places built environment professionals into local government roles to drive meaningful change.

Pooja shares her journey from growing up in Mumbai to becoming a passionate advocate for public service in the UK. She dives deep into the importance of multidisciplinary teams in local government, the challenges of resourcing in the public sector, and why empathy between public and private sectors is more vital than ever.

🔍 Episode Highlights

• How Public Practice is placing professionals into councils to close skills gaps
• The long-term value of design and spatial thinking in local government
• Why 75% of associates stay in the public sector post-placement
• The financial realities of local councils and their effect on planning
• The role of empathy in public-private collaboration
• Insights on the New Towns programme and the future of place-led development
• International perspectives: what the UK can learn from Mumbai, Denmark, and more
• Pooja’s vision for public sector confidence, leadership, and systems change

🌍 Learn more about Public Practice: https://www.publicpractice.org.uk
🎧 Listen and subscribe for more: https://www.growplaces.com/podcast
 

#PublicPractice #UrbanPlanning #BuiltEnvironment #PublicSector #PlaceMaking #Sustainability #NewTowns #Leadership #GrowPlaces

How do you actually deliver a school, an office, or a housing block and turn it into something extraordinary?

In this episode, Tom Larsson speaks with Paul Monaghan, co-founder of AHMM, about a career spent designing buildings that shape everyday life and the people behind them. With warmth, honesty, and a quiet determination, Paul reflects on the evolution of architecture, the joy of delivering real projects, and why staying grounded matters in an ever-changing industry.

💬 From building loyalty inside his firm to earning the trust of clients and planners, Paul shares stories of lessons learned, challenges embraced, and the belief that good design can genuinely change lives.

🏗️ “The next building we do will be the best one we do”

Whether you're in architecture, property, or simply care about how places shape people, this is a conversation worth hearing.

In this episode, Tom Larsson is joined by Kevin McKeever, Managing Director of Lowick Group, a leading strategic communications and public affairs consultancy working at the intersection of development, politics, and community. Kevin also recently co-founded Hedry, a cross-party consultancy focused on building resilience in the built environment.

This wide-ranging and honest conversation unpacks the urgent challenges facing the UK’s housing and planning system, from viability and delivery to trust and political will. Drawing on decades of experience in local government, Westminster, and large-scale regeneration, Kevin provides sharp insights into the systemic issues stalling progress and what it will take to build places that work for people now and in the future.

Topics covered include:

• Why trust has broken down between developers and the public sector
• The economics of viability and the political misunderstanding around it
• How the left and right frame “growth” and what that means for cities
• The role of public sector land and long-term partnerships in delivery
• The limitations of our planning system and the case for a reset

Kevin also shares personal reflections on why this work matters to him and the human impact of good development done well.

💡 Whether you're a planner, policymaker, developer or engaged citizen, this episode offers a deeply informed and thought-provoking perspective on how to get Britain building again, fairly, sustainably, and strategically.

🔗 Listen now and subscribe for future episodes: www.growplaces.com/podcast

In this insightful episode of the Grow Places Podcast, Tom Larsson sits down with one of the most forward-thinking voices in the UK real estate sector – Denz Ibrahim of Legal & General.  As Head of Futuring & Place, Denz shares how he and his team are turning traditional development models on their head by embedding creativity, community, and customer-centric design into every layer of placemaking.

We dive into Foundry, Legal & General’s innovative co-working and micro-enterprise platform that’s bringing underused spaces in town centres and new residential neighbourhoods to life. From repurposed job centres in Poole to high street rejuvenation in Wandsworth, Denz explains how Legal & General is curating ground-floor experiences that boost retention, attract independents, and generate holistic value.

Discover how long-term thinking, community programming, and the power of local businesses can create places with true character and soul — not just commercial assets. This episode covers:

• Rethinking retail and residential ground floors as dynamic, community-led environments
• The shift from passive landlord to active place curator
• The role of data, partnerships, and programmatic use in creating value
• Real-world stories from Eastbourne, Hove, Walthamstow, Bromley, and more
• Why place personality matters — now more than ever

This is a must-listen for anyone working in regeneration, BTR, asset management, or urban design — or anyone who simply cares about how we build better places.

In this milestone 50th episode of the Grow Places Podcast, host Tom Larsson sits down with renowned architect Kai-Uwe Bergmann, Partner at BIG, to explore the interplay between design, place-making, and global urban transformation.

Recorded at BIG’s London studio, this episode dives into:

• The evolution of BIG’s London office and its roots in the Google King’s Cross and Serpentine Pavilion projects
• BIG’s philosophy of context-driven design, balancing global thinking with local relevance
• Powerful case studies like CopenHill (a power plant-turned-urban ski slope in Copenhagen) and The BIG U (a visionary climate resilience project for Manhattan)
• Insights on the architect's role as storyteller, collaborator, and midwife to ideas
• How diverse, inclusive engagement shapes better built environments—from Bhutan to New York

Whether you're in architecture, development, or just fascinated by how cities evolve, this episode offers compelling insights on how bold ideas and thoughtful design can shape the future of our urban world.

In this episode of the Grow Places podcast, Tom Larsson sits down with James Armitage-Hobbs, Director at DP9, to ask a big question: What role does co-living play in the future of our cities?

They explore:

• How co-living has evolved over the past decade from a niche idea into a recognised housing model.
• Why loneliness, affordability, and housing shortages make professionally managed shared living so relevant today.
• The planning and policy challenges of a use class that doesn’t neatly fit existing categories.
• Lessons from early schemes, and how case studies shaped today’s “second-generation” co-living projects.
• The tension between creating amenities that build community within buildings and ensuring they also contribute positively to neighbourhood life.
• The potential of repurposing outdated office stock into sustainable co-living communities.
• How public benefit stories—affordable housing, ground floor uses, and wider economic impact—are reshaping conversations with local authorities.

As James reflects, “It was only when people could see live case studies that the model really started to gain traction.”  And as Tom observes, “Successful projects must enrich not just the building, but the neighbourhood and the city around it.”

This conversation dives deep into the opportunities and challenges of co-living, why it matters for London’s housing mix, and how it can help create more connected, resilient urban communities.

In this episode of the Grow Places podcast, Tom Larsson sits down with Keir Regan Alexander of Arka Works to ask a big question: Can architects stay relevant in the age of AI?

They explore:

• Why architects need to move beyond aesthetics to embrace responsibility, coordination, and strategy.
• How AI tools—from masterplanning software to generative models—are reshaping design practice.
• The risk of architecture being reduced to “product” and how the profession can push back.
• The evolving role of the architect as lead consultant, custodian of vision, and human in the loop.
• What bundling, unbundling, and future industry structures might mean for practice over the next decade.

As Tom reflects, “If architects only define themselves by aesthetics, they risk giving away the real value they bring.”
And as Keir warns, “The danger is treating design like pure science—cities and places are more human than that.”

This wide-ranging conversation looks at where value lies in architecture, how the profession can adapt, and why human judgement, taste, and responsibility remain essential.

In this episode of the Grow Places Podcast, Tom Larsson sits down with Pip Simpson, Director of Buildings and Renewal, at the Barbican. They explore the evolving role of cultural institutions in shaping cities, fostering creativity, and building community. Pip shares insights from her experience at major UK institutions, discusses the Barbican’s unique mixed-use design, and reveals plans for its ambitious revitalization. From architecture and accessibility to programming and public engagement, this conversation uncovers how spaces like the Barbican can inspire, connect, and adapt for the future.