Austin Williams

director, Future Cities Project; author of 'China's Urban Revolution' and 'New Chinese Architecture.' Critic on architecture, environmentalism, and China.

[Austin Williams @Future_Cities]

In 1978, China's urban population was 18%; today it is 65%.
In 1978 there were 193 Chinese cities; today there are around 650.
Thanks @spectator #Chinesewhispers @CindyXiaodanYu for a thoroughly enjoyable chat about cities, development & progress in China.
https://t.co/II0DjuTSLs

[Claire Fox @Fox_Claire]

Today, the Minister stated that Henry Nowak's murder had nothing to do with racism, and repeatedly stated that "lessons will be learned". I used my question to challenge both false statements - to no avail.

[Austin Williams @Future_Cities]

Question everything you thought you knew about architecture & urbanism.
With OMA's Reinier de Graaf and RIBA Presidential candidate, Austin Williams
Monday, 15 June, 7pm – 8:30pm
Register:
https://t.co/d1dogfanGN

[Austin Williams @Future_Cities]

Architecture has become its own worst enemy.
One of the sharpest minds in the game tells it like it is.
Don’t miss Reinier de Graaf debate with RIBA Presidential hopeful, Austin Williams
Online. Free.
15 June 7pm
Register: https://t.co/d1dogfanGN

[Austin Williams @Future_Cities]

This is not a "misremembering of the quote" as he clearly looks down and reads it off the page. It is a potentially wilful distortion with political implications.

[Zia Yusuf @ZiaYusufUK]

🚨The BBC had just sunk to a new low.

On Newsnight last night, presenter Matt Chorley claimed Nigel Farage said people should respond to the murder of Henry Nowak with “white cold rage”.

Nigel DID NOT SAY THIS.

The insertion of the word “white” by the BBC is obviously designed to change the meaning completely.

It was no slip of the tongue, Chorley said it THREE TIMES.

He came prepared to defame Nigel and lie to the country.

This is disgusting from the BBC.

Why do they insist on spitting in the faces of the millions of Reform supporters who are forced to contribute to their salaries?

THE BBC MUST APOLOGISE IMMEDIATELY

[Austin Williams @Future_Cities]

If architecture is the problem, what’s the solution?
If architecture is the solution, what’s the question?
Find out more with Reinier de Graaf, partner, Office of Metropolitan Architecture [OMA]
Mon 15 June
7pm – 8:30pm
Register - https://t.co/d1dogfaVwl

[Austin Williams @Future_Cities]

What projects should architects reject on moral grounds.
OMA’s partner, Reinier de Graaf’s – who has led projects in Russia and the Middle East – explains all to RIBA presidential hopeful, Austin Williams
You don’t have to have read his book “Architecture Against Architecture” to have an opinion
Mon 15 June
7pm
Online
https://t.co/VixwQW0kyp

[Austin Williams @Future_Cities]

Enjoyable evening at #RIBA presidential hustings debating the absence of a Climate Emergency.
I wanted my pitch to reflect my positive, not fearful view of the future.

[Liam Halligan @LiamHalligan]

Conventional wisdom says that leaving the European Union has harmed the British economy.

Listen to almost any Brexit debate – over the airwaves or on the professional conference circuit – and it’s invariably taken for granted being outside the EU has done serious economic damage.

Now we're in June, and as the 23rd approaches – the ten-year anniversary of that hotly-contested, era-defining referendum – this message will be rammed home again and again.

But it simply isn’t true.

My latest "Economic Agenda" column in @Telegraph

🧵1/7

https://t.co/3x1C903R8n

[Austin Williams @Future_Cities]

.@policylaila Well done on #newsnight tonight.
How you kept your cool when every other guest seemed to have zero conception of what the entire country thinks [and ironically all the front pages of the newspapers!]
Spot on. Well said.

[Austin Williams @Future_Cities]

@fehler Well captured

[Austin Williams @Future_Cities]

Seems that #Newsnight doesn't have a paid-for Zoom account!

[Austin Williams @Future_Cities]

@dafydd_rees @DefundBBC Haha

[Austin Williams @Future_Cities]

@Fox_Claire Staggering!

[Austin Williams @Future_Cities]

@patrickkmaguire This is a turning point

[Austin Williams @Future_Cities]

This a great short video.
Britain's erasure of power.
"Fiddlers Ferry - Power Down" by @ColinSpofforth https://t.co/Wz3nOpTHW1

[Austin Williams @Future_Cities]

Blair:
"You begin with the question: what is the right answer? And only once you have that do you engage in the political task of persuading people of it. "
https://t.co/wnFHw2KAUZ

[Austin Williams @Future_Cities]

Random VOX POP in the streets of London https://t.co/y8eoyFCWnY @YouTube
@KingstonSchArt @KingstonSchArt @KingstonUni

[Austin Williams @Future_Cities]

#AvantiWestCoast @AvantiWestCoast kicked everyone out at Crewe once again. @transport_wales Chester train cancelled yet again. This time the excuse is that lightning struck overhead signallng lines between Chester and Wrexham. Another day, another problem, another excuse.

[Claire Fox @Fox_Claire]

Thought @toadmeister handled this question really well. Sometimes, issue of anonymity is treated as dodgy. In contentious matters of free speech, it's an understandable precaution. For too many people, there's a threat of cancellation or worse if you eg support crowdfunding for contentious issues. At @acadofideas we know only too well that esp young people fear getting into trouble at work/university for supporting 'wrongthink'. Out & proud is a great ideal BUT right to privacy matters.

[Austin Williams @Future_Cities]

@JRTurnerWrites Modesty forbids!

[Austin Williams @Future_Cities]

Super-impressive, from the mysterious @JRTurnerWrites
Congratulations.
Not content with "Book One out now" but "Book Two is almost ready".
Puts my work ethic to shame.
https://t.co/IfhoiySydP