E28: Be More Bradford: What Happens When a City Designs for Health

85% of our health is determined by non-clinical factors. So why does the built environment remain an afterthought in most public health conversations? In this episode of Talking Place, recorded live at the Bradford Showcase at UKREiiF 2026, Tanisha sits down with three people who are making the evidence-based case for healthier cities - and delivering it.Professor Rosie McEachan (Director, Born in Bradford) shares landmark data from one of Europe's largest longitudinal health studies - including the finding that one in three children's asthma cases in Bradford are directly attributable to traffic-related air pollution. Abigail Scott Paul (Global Head of Humanise Campaign, Heatherwick Studio) makes the neuroscience case for why bland buildings are a public health emergency. James Almond (Managing Director, P+HS Architects) brings the delivery reality - including a £65m mental health hospital in Bradford that is already changing how an NHS trust operates. Together, they tackle the big structural question: where is the power sitting that is preventing the change that needs to happen?CHAPTERS0:00 Introduction1:10 Guest introductions2:40 What Born in Bradford reveals about place and health6:20 How healthcare design changes behaviour: the sexual health clinic case study8:50 What design decisions genuinely improve health outcomes10:40 The Humanise Campaign: buildings, neuroscience and visual stress13:20 How Bradford's city centre transformation is already changing lives18:10 Leadership, long-term thinking and why Bradford's pedestrianisation was worth the fight24:15 Bradford teenagers: reaching a tipping point in civic pride28:10 Where is the power sitting that's blocking change?34:40 Final thoughts: one message for decision-makersJoin the ConversationYour city is shaping your health every single day. What would it take to build somewhere that actually works for people's wellbeing?Share your thoughts with us on Instagram or LinkedIn @TalkingPlacePodcast using #TalkingPlacePodcastLinks & MentionsInvest in Bradford - https://www.investinbradford.com/ Born in Bradford - https://borninbradford.nhs.ukP+HS Architects - www.pandhs.co.ukHumanise Campaign - https://www.humanisecampaign.orgBradford Council - https://www.bradford.gov.ukUKREiiF 2026 - https://www.ukreiif.comLinfield Mount mental health hospital, BradfordBradford City Centre pedestrianisationWest Yorkshire Mass TransitKing's Cross regeneration, LondonSupport the showTo learn more about host Tanisha Raffiuddin:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tanisharaffiuddin/Website: www.conceptculture.coInstagram: @tanisha.rrTo learn more about Talking Place:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/talking-place-podcastWebsite: www.conceptculture.co/talking-place-podcastInstagram: @talkingplacepodcastBluesky: @talkingplaceTikTok: @talkingplacepodcastTo learn more about Concept Culture:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/concept-culture-ukWebsite: www.conceptculture.coSign Up to Our Newsletter — mailchi.mp/conceptculture/newslettersignup