Ricky Burdett - From Grit to Growth: London's Urban Transformation

Richard Burdett CBE, professor of Urban Studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science and the director of LSE Cities, joins episode 7 of The Century of Cities. He transports us to London's gritty 1980s, juxtaposing it with the vibrant public spaces of Rome and maps the city's remarkable transformation driven by democratic accountability and the pivotal role of directly elected mayors. Ricky reflects on the pioneering efforts of the Urban Age program, which has revolutionized dialogue around global city development, and the groundbreaking work of the Council on Urban Initiatives in creating more green and healthy urban spaces. Looking toward 2080, he examines the critical decisions cities must confront, from combating environmental challenges to redefining communities and adapting to new urban technologies. This conversation offers a powerful and forward-thinking view on an essential question: How do we create cities that truly serve everyone?