Infra[un]structured powered by the National Infrastructure Commission

In this episode, the YPP are joined by Henri Murison from Northern Powerhouse, Polly Barker from Hatch, and Chris Wanzala-Ryan from the National Infrastructure Commission, to explore how we can adapt our infrastructure to suit future ways of working and living.

In episode eleven of infra[un]structured (recorded in early March), host Charlotte Mitchell of the National Infrastructure Commission's Young Professionals Panel talks all things railways and railway stations, and how these buildings, both large and small, shape places. She is joined by two guests: Anthony Dewar, Professional Head of Building and Architecture at Network Rail, who is also a member of the Commission's Design Group; and Mihir Benison, a Senior Planner at Arup, who sits on the Mayor of London's Young Professionals Panel. Together they discuss among other things why stations are sited where they are, how they contribute to shaping a 'place' (and vice versa), what determines the design of new railway buildings … and terrazzo floor tiles!

Embedding good design into major infrastructure projects creates an outcome that works well, looks good and enhances the quality of life for the people who use it. Host Charlotte Mitchell is joined by Chair of the National Infrastructure Design Group, Professor Sadie Morgan, and Sakthy Selvakumaran from the NIC's Young Professionals Panel. Together they discuss the new Design Principles for National Infrastructure, the importance of encouraging design innovation and how people-centred design helps connect citizens to where they live. You can find out more about the Design Principles here: http://bit.ly/2S0Ag95

This episode considers the intersection of infrastructure, housing and design. Host Charlotte Mitchell is joined by Louise Wyman of Homes England, who is currently on secondment as Design Lead for the West Midlands Combined Authority, and Madeleine Kessler, an architect at Haptic Architects and member of the National Infrastructure Commission's Young Professionals Panel. Louise and Madeleine are also both members of the Commission's Design Group, chaired by Commissioner Professor Sadie Morgan. Charlotte, Louise and Madeleine consider a wide range of topics, including: why good infrastructure is crucial to overcoming local concerns about housing developments; the importance of an effective public realm to any new housing project; and the value of good design to creating infrastructure that enables liveable and sustainable communities.

Infra[un]structured is back with a new episode that puts tunnels under the spotlight. This kind of infrastructure can transform the connectivity of communities and requires impressive feats of engineering. Charlotte is joined by Malcolm Orford, Deputy Head of Development at the Lower Thames Crossing. Having previously worked as the Deputy Delivery Manager for London's new super sewer, Thames Tideway, there isn't much this man doesn't know about tunnels. Also representing the Young Professionals Panel is Henry Metcalf, an engineer who has worked on a number of major transport projects.

This instalment of Infra[un]structured focuses on diversity and inclusion. “Pale, male and stale” applies to few sectors more so than infrastructure. An industry that’s long been dominated by the usual suspects, there’s a mountain to climb to ensure it better reflects the society it serves. To explore how the world of infrastructure could benefit from greater diversity, Charlotte is joined by Casey Ryan, a transport specialist and trans advocate. Also representing the Young Professionals Panel is Dr Rosie Hughes, a social scientist who works for a design consultancy, examining how the delivery of major projects can be improved to meet the needs of all.

Welcome to the first episode of Infra[un]structured: the podcast that puts the systems that keep the world turning under the spotlight. With London bringing in its Ultra Low Emission Zone, we’re kicking off by looking at air pollution. Charlotte is joined by Annette Jezierska, a fellow member of the National Infrastructure Commission’s Young Professionals Panel and co-founder of The Future Fox, a tech startup specialising in planning for more people-friendly cities. Also in the studio is the brilliant Gary Raccuja – the winner of the 2017 Wolfson Economics Prize for his work on road user charging. Tune in to hear why we need to clean up our air and how we can go about doing it. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ You can find out more about Gary's winning entry, 'Miles Better,' here: https://policyexchange.org.uk/wolfson-winner/