Reflecting On MIPIM 2016

Sitting on the train to Paris, here are some reflections on this year's MIPIM:

1. Glad I took a coat – this was by far the coldest, windiest and wettest MIPIM that I have attended.  I pity the poor cyclists who packed for the predicted weather of back to back sunshine, only to find that a low pressure system had moved in after they left London.  They shivered their way around Cannes after using up their body fat in the 1,400 km bike ride.  Well done to them.
2. Solving London's growth needs – there was lots of debate about how to meet London's housing and economic needs.  There was a feisty discussion at Addleshaw Goddard's Housing for London session, featuring the leaders of Hounslow and Barking & Dagenham, David Lunts of the GLA, Graeme Craig of TfL and Mark Boleat of the Corporation of London.  The general tone was that there are huge opportunities for meeting housing needs, but it will take very firm leadership and early dialogue with communities that will be