Season 2. Episode 4: Keith Thorpe

In this episode of Inclusive Urban Futures, recorded live at the World Urban Forum, we had the pleasure of speaking with Keith Thorpe, an internationally recognised expert in housing, urban development, and public policy, whose career spans more than five decades of public service and international collaboration.

Drawing on his extensive experience in housing policy, planning, and local government—including senior leadership roles within the UK Government and his work with the OECD—Keith reflects on one of the defining challenges of our time: housing. But as the conversation unfolds, it becomes clear that housing is about much more than the homes we build. It is about creating communities where people can thrive—places that provide not only affordable homes, but also jobs, education, services, transport, biodiversity, and opportunities for people to build meaningful lives.

Throughout the conversation, Keith highlights the complexity of today's housing crisis and reminds us that there are no simple solutions. Housing is shaped by economic, social, demographic, and political factors, meaning that effective responses require long-term thinking rather than isolated interventions. Housing challenges also differ across the world: in some countries the priority is addressing homelessness, while in others the greatest concern is the growing lack of affordable housing. Rising house prices, stagnant wages, declining investment, lengthy planning processes, and shortages of social housing all contribute to a problem that continues to deepen.

Rather than searching for quick fixes, Keith advocates for integrated and balanced approaches. He discusses the importance of innovative tools such as land value capture, while also acknowledging the delicate balance governments must strike when designing housing policies. Well-intentioned legislation, he explains, can sometimes produce unintended consequences if it fails to consider the wider housing market and the perspectives of all those involved.

Ultimately, Keith reminds us that successful housing policy begins with listening. Governments must understand what people actually need—not what policymakers assume they need. Only by placing communities at the centre of decision-making can we create places where people genuinely want to live, work, and thrive.

Thoughtful, measured, and deeply insightful, Keith's reflections remind us that solving the housing challenge requires more than increasing supply. It requires creating inclusive communities where housing, employment, public services, nature, and quality of life are considered together. Because ultimately, building homes is only part of the solution—building thriving communities is the real goal.

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Host: Dr Orna Rosenfeld 

Edition : Clara Marcuard Fregonese

More About Keith Thorpe

Keith Thorpe is an internationally recognised expert in housing, urban development, and public policy, with more than four decades of experience advising governments, international organisations, and cities on sustainable and inclusive urban development.

Throughout his career, Keith held senior leadership roles within the UK Government, where he contributed to national housing and regeneration policies, and worked extensively with the OECD and other international organisations, supporting countries in addressing complex urban challenges through integrated policy approaches.

A regular participant in the World Urban Forum since its early editions, Keith has developed a deep understanding of the evolution of global urban policy, bringing together practical government experience with international expertise.

Known for his thoughtful and pragmatic approach, Keith continues to contribute his experience and expertise to international discussions on how cities can respond to today's housing challenges while improving quality of life and promoting more inclusive urban futures.