Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
From hybrid-working to a de-centralised city, how is the living and working landscape in London changing? Find out more in this week’s ‘Sandbox’ FOMO5...
In a post-covid era, the way our cities operate has changed. Hybrid working has become the norm, meaning there is a reduced need for London residents to travel to the city centre on a daily basis.
In this week’s ‘Sandbox’ FOMO5 episode, taken from our most recent episode, ‘Heart of the City: Re-thinking Capital Living’, our panel explores the challenges and opportunities facing London, including:
- Challenges to London’s world status: The panel discusses how London’s Alpha ++ status has changed in an era where we are seeing fragmentation in the international market, particularly with other capitals across Europe being better positioned to attract top talent and businesses.
- De-centralisation of the city: Other prominent hubs throughout London have seen huge investment in development, including Battersea and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, meaning there is less reliance on the city centre. The panel suggests that connectivity between these hubs around London could be improved to ensure they are networked into the global city economy.
- Change in working patterns: The panel discusses the change in working patterns following the pandemic, where people need more from their office spaces. Rainier Valcarcel touches on Buro Happold’s new London office, which is an example of how office spaces could be adapting, with breakout rooms, rest areas, and interactive spaces.
Joining our regular host Andy Duncan, in this episode, were Buro Happold experts Lawrie Robertson, Head of Strategic Planning, and Rainier Valcarcel, Discipline Director, Cities Infrastructure.
Subscribe to the whole series; Sometimes we’ll tackle a subject head on, sometimes a sideways view - but always with curiosity, expertise and maybe even a dash of humour.
This podcast series is brought to you by Buro Happold (https://buro.im/SandboxPodcast).
From hybrid-working to a de-centralised city, how is the living and working landscape in London changing? Find out more in this week’s ‘Sandbox’ FOMO5...
In a post-covid era, the way our cities operate has changed. Hybrid working has become the norm, meaning there is a reduced need for London residents to travel to the city centre on a daily basis.
In this week’s ‘Sandbox’ FOMO5 episode, taken from our most recent episode, ‘Heart of the City: Re-thinking Capital Living’, our panel explores the challenges and opportunities facing London, including:
- Challenges to London’s world status: The panel discusses how London’s Alpha ++ status has changed in an era where we are seeing fragmentation in the international market, particularly with other capitals across Europe being better positioned to attract top talent and businesses.
- De-centralisation of the city: Other prominent hubs throughout London have seen huge investment in development, including Battersea and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, meaning there is less reliance on the city centre. The panel suggests that connectivity between these hubs around London could be improved to ensure they are networked into the global city economy.
- Change in working patterns: The panel discusses the change in working patterns following the pandemic, where people need more from their office spaces. Rainier Valcarcel touches on Buro Happold’s new London office, which is an example of how office spaces could be adapting, with breakout rooms, rest areas, and interactive spaces.
Joining our regular host Andy Duncan, in this episode, were Buro Happold experts Lawrie Robertson, Head of Strategic Planning, and Rainier Valcarcel, Discipline Director, Cities Infrastructure.
Subscribe to the whole series; Sometimes we’ll tackle a subject head on, sometimes a sideways view - but always with curiosity, expertise and maybe even a dash of humour.
This podcast series is brought to you by Buro Happold (https://buro.im/SandboxPodcast).
