S3E4: The Power of Placemaking in Modern Homes with Akeel Malik

This episode of The No Bullsh*t Property Podcast features Howard Lord in conversation with Akeel Malik, partner at SURE Capital and fund manager of the Urban Splash Residential Fund. Together they explore the concept of placemaking, its role in shaping modern homes, and how design, technology, capital and sustainability interact to create places that endure and foster community.

WHAT PLACEMAKING REALLY MEANS

Howard begins by asking Akeel what placemaking means in the context of housing today. Akeel explains that placemaking goes far beyond narrow property development and that it creates environments where people feel connected, inspired, and part of a community. Instead of focusing on buildings in isolation, placemaking involves intentional design therefore it considers how people live, move, and interact within a space.

THE CENTRAL ROLE OF DESIGN

From there, the conversation shifts to the role of design. Akeel believes being design-led is essential. He describes how good design ensures functionality, longevity, and emotional connection between people and the spaces they occupy. Design is not an optional extra or a luxury. It’s a differentiator that adds real value beyond bricks and mortar. Howard queries whether prioritising design can conflict with cost. Akeel responds by pointing out that cutting corners on design undermines long-term value and leaves developments sterile and uninspiring.

CAPITAL AND REGENERATION

The relationship between capital and regeneration is another central theme. Akeel stresses that capital must align with regeneration goals. Investment should never detach from the social, cultural, and human dimensions of place. Financial returns and social value are not opposing forces. They should reinforce each other. When placemaking succeeds, it strengthens both community outcomes and investor returns.

TECHNOLOGY AS A DRIVER

Technology also features in their discussion. Akeel highlights how modern systems transform tenant experience and property operations. Early adoption of technology creates cost efficiencies and allows developments to scale smoothly. It also improves the daily lives of residents.

LOCAL CONTEXT AND IDENTITY

The conversation turns to local and regional contexts. Howard asks about differences between placemaking in regional cities compared to London or other global capitals. Akeel emphasizes that local character, demographics, and cultural nuances matter enormously. A one-size-fits-all model does not work. The best placemaking adapts to the identity of the place and the people who live there.

BALANCING VALUE AND RISK

Akeel acknowledges that placemaking adds long-term value but also carries risks. These include capital exposure, market fluctuations, and execution challenges. Strong leadership and alignment between stakeholders—investors, operators, and local authorities—are essential. A clear vision helps manage those risks.

SUSTAINABILITY AND LONG-TERM THINKING

Throughout the episode, sustainability and long-term thinking recur as guiding principles. For Akeel, placemaking must be sustainable environmentally, socially, and economically. Energy use and materials matter, but so do community and financial resilience. The goal is to create places that endure, evolve, and remain relevant. Short-term approaches tend to produce disconnected and lifeless environments.

SCALE AND INTIMACY

In their closing reflections, Howard and Akeel discuss the balance between scale and intimacy. How can developments grow while preserving identity and sense of place? For Akeel, the answer lies in intentional design, aligning financial capital with human needs, and focusing on the lived experience of residents.

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