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ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø magazine is 180 years old this year. What lessons about the built environment should we take from the past?

There are too many to count – there are so many radical ideas about pedagogy and the nature of professionalism that feel very timely.

But the frenetic debates about reform of architectural education in the late nineteenth century – some of those Ruskinian lines of architectural thought elaborated by the likes of Lethaby – have real relevance for our current moment.

Who or what has had the most positive impact on construction in the past couple of decades?

The extraordinary variety of networks and social enterprises that have sprung up to support diversity and social value in the construction industry and built environment sector.

What does the construction industry do well and why?

It builds places and homes – its ‘output’ surrounds, frames, mediates every aspect of our lives.

What does construction industry do badly and why?

Its different aspects don’t always communicate with each other as effectively as they might. It provides good training but too often in siloes, and in ways that do not engage the diversity of our society and communities.

What’s the biggest change you’ve seen during your career in construction?

The beginnings of a shift in attitude towards climate change and environmental sustainability; the beginnings of a shift in attitude to equity and diversity

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What do you think will have changed by the time ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø celebrates its 200^th anniversary?

I hope quite a lot will have changed, or we’re screwed!

If there is one thing individuals and firms could do to improve construction and the built environment, what would it be?

Establish a common and mutually respectful educational framework across the built environment; tackle the systemic, structural and regulatory barriers to the production of a healthy and sustainable built environment

What is the best thing government can do to support the industry?

Stop talking about beauty? Procurement reform?

What do you hope the ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø the Future Commission can achieve? And what role can you play?

Look holistically at the challenges the industry face; provide a detailed and nuanced blueprint for reform; give the wider sector a clearer sense of how to build evidence-based, radical, affordable, accessible, integrated built environment education, delivering green skills for a just transition.

What is your favourite building/piece of infrastructure and why?

At the moment, Seaforth Crescent by Darbourne and Darke in Islington.

Neal Shasore is the head of school and chief executive of the London School of Architecture