Power, Politics and Property with Phineas Harper

About this episode

Oli Lowrie interviews Phineas Harper to explore the forces shaping cities and the narratives surrounding architecture and housing.

Urban Forecast host Oli Lowrie sits down with Phineas Harper, British writer, cultural leader, and Guardian contributor, to unpack the real forces shaping our cities. From the myth that “ordinary people don’t care about architecture” to the uncomfortable truth about who really controls housing, Phineas challenges the narratives that dominate the built environment. The conversation dives into media influence, political power, global capital, and why architects might be thinking about their rol...

People in this episode

Host: Oli Lowrie

Guest: Phineas Harper

Topics covered

• power
• politics
• property
• architecture
• housing
• media influence
• global capital

Keywords

• urban development
• cultural leadership
• built environment

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Power, Politics and Property

More episodes of Urban Forecast

• Can Architecture Regain Its Influence? Russell Curtis Explains · June 1, 2026 · 38 min
• Peter Murray OBE: Why London Needs a New Vision · May 19, 2026 · 46 min
• Steve Watts: The Real Cost of Building London’s Skyline · May 5, 2026 · 33 min
• Mike Reader MP on Fixing Britain’s Housing System · April 20, 2026 · 43 min
• The Future of Regenerative Development with Joe Jack Williams · December 8, 2025 · 29 min
• How to unblock the system of community funding with Mark Shearer · December 1, 2025 · 34 min