London Explained: Marble Arch

02/19/24 • 35 min

Episode 3 of London Explained tells the story of Marble Arch, one of London’s loveliest historic monuments which has been marooned on a roundabout at the western end of Oxford Street, severed from the park it once formed an entrance to and disconnected from its regal past. But now big plans are afoot to restore the arch to its former glory, make it the focal point of a tranquil new public space and tackle some of the traffic flow that blights it.

Journalist Dave Hill tells the story of the area, once a grim location for public executions but later a famous meeting point for the expression of free speech. Drawing on interviews with key figures behind the plans – including Simon Loomes from the Portman Estate and Lucy Musgrave and Tess McCann of urban design firm Publica – and a wealth of archive material, the podcast illuminates the complex challenges the plans address and what is needed to put them into effect for the benefit of London as a whole.

The podcast is researched, written and presented by Dave Hill, editor and publisher of the website OnLondon.co.uk, and produced by Andrew McGibbon for Curtains for Radio Ltd. It was supported financially by The Portman Estate, with The London Society retaining full editorial control.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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London Explained: Fleet Street Quarter

Episode 2 of London Explained takes a deep-dive into the Fleet Street Quarter, examining what makes this part of London so historically important and the huge impact that the pandemic has had on local businesses. The times they are a-changin’ and so Dave Hill has conducted a series of interviews that reveal some of the new projects that are underway to bring a bit of magic back to Fleet Street. This work is vital to encourage people to return to the City, for work and leisure. He also speaks to the custodians who are ensuring that the built heritage of the area is preserved and actually made more accessible through a considered public realm strategy.

London Explained is a series which explores why and how areas of London have changed and what the future may look like.

The episode is written and presented by Dave Hill. The producer is Andrew McGibbon. It’s a Curtains For Radio Production for The London Society. It was supported financially by the Fleet Street Quarter with The London Society retaining full editorial control.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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London Explained: Central District Alliance

In our fourth podcast, we explore the five different neighbourhoods (and their blurred boundaries) contained within the Central District Alliance, stretching from Clerkenwell to Tottenham Court Road.

Presenter Dave Hill takes us on a journey through both the history and geography of the area which features a wealth of private and public spaces covering hundreds of years.

Religious orders, markets, gin-making, legal practices, gardens, squares, universities, museums, churches, towers and the tech industry all show us how the past, present and future collide in the buildings and landscape of this unique part of London. Debbie Akehusrt and Alexander Jan of the Central District Alliance BID explain how they plan to rethink the area’s economy, consider the challenges of climate change, tackling air pollution and enhancing visitor experience.

The podcast is researched, written and presented by Dave Hill, editor and publisher of the website OnLondon.co.uk, and produced by Andrew McGibbon for Curtains for Radio Ltd. It was supported financially by the Central District Alliance with The London Society retaining full editorial control.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.