Talk about London |The State of Our Streets

In this episode, hosts Leanne Tritton, Chair of The London Society, and Dave Hill, founder and editor of OnLondon, are joined by Nicholas Boys-Smith, Chair and founder of Create Streets. Together they explore the state of London’s streets — from rubbish and “street scars” to the vital role they play in health, community life, and civic pride — and discuss what can be done to make them cleaner, safer, and more welcoming for everyone.Episode Running Order & Timestamps0:00 – 2:00 | IntroductionLeanne and Dave set the scene: why the condition of London’s streets matters for everyday life, civic pride, and wellbeing.2:00 – 4:00 | Guest IntroductionNicholas Boys Smith is introduced. He explains why human-scale, beautiful streets matter so much to how we experience the city.4:00 – 10:00 | Why Streets MatterHow the design and upkeep of streets affect physical and mental health, mobility choices, and daily joy.10:00 – 20:00 | High Streets and CommunityThe role of high streets as social spaces and economic lifelines. How tidy, well-managed streets encourage local pride and prosperity.20:00 – 30:00 | Challenges and SolutionsRubbish, commercial waste, potholes, graffiti, and clutter — what’s going wrong? Nicholas highlights practical solutions, from better waste management to community-led action.30:00 – 40:00 | Cultural and Historical ContextLondon’s historic struggles with dirty streets and how civic attitudes compare to other cities around the world.40:00 – 50:00 | Social and Political ImplicationsHomelessness, cycling culture, and political responsibility. Should London have a city-wide “clean streets” strategy?50:00 – End | ConclusionA reflection on the importance of clean, welcoming streets. Call to action for communities, councils, and politicians to put streets at the heart of London’s future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.