Talking Place

What can a city learn about resilience when people are forced to redesign how they live? Mikael Colville-Andersen, urban designer, filmmaker and host of the TV Show 'The Life-Sized City', joins host Tanisha Raffiuddin on Talking Place to explore the tactical urbanism projects he delivered in Ukraine during the full-scale war. From coordinating thousands of donated bicycles as humanitarian aid to transforming Kyiv's Kontraktova Square with volunteers, Mikael shares how cities and communities can respond when conventional systems are under extraordinary pressure. The conversation goes beyond the immediate realities of war to examine what other cities can learn from Ukraine. Mikael reflects on the role of simple, analogue systems, from generators keeping local businesses running to trams repurposed to carry water, and how bicycle infrastructure can become part of evacuation planning. He also challenges cities to experiment through temporary projects, question decades of car-centric planning and give citizens more room to shape the places they live. Topics Covered How tactical urbanism transformed Kyiv's Kontraktova Square during the war What Ukrainian cities can teach us about resilience and analogue systems  Why cities need to experiment through temporary pilot projects  How bicycles became humanitarian and evacuation infrastructure in Ukraine  Why car-centric planning needs to be challenged  How citizens can play a bigger role in changing their cities  If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, subscribe and share.About our Guest Mikael Colville-Andersen is an urban designer, filmmaker, photographer, TV host and author known for his work exploring how cities can become better places for people. He has worked in more than 100 cities and is the host of the global TV series The Life-Sized City, which explores urban life through the people and ideas shaping cities around the world. From 2022 to 2025, Mikael was based in Kyiv, Ukraine, where he worked on tactical urbanism projects during the full-scale war, coordinated donated bicycles as humanitarian aid and developed projects including therapy gardens, community spaces and cycling strategies. His work combines urban design, storytelling and citizen-led action to challenge how we think about the cities we live in. Join the Conversation Who is your city built for? What would it take to make it work for everyone? Share your thoughts with us on Instagram or LinkedIn @TalkingPlacePodcast using #TalkingPlacePodcast Links & Mentions Mikael Colville-Andersen: Official website Mikael Colville-Andersen in Ukraine: Ukraine projects and activities TORV Kyiv: World's Largest Tactical Urbanism Project Bikes4Ukraine Crowdfunding Website: https://fundrazr.com/Bikes4Ukraine  The Life-Sized City: https://www.colville-andersen.com/lifesizedcity  Support 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

What happens when a 2,000-year-old city tries to build itself around artificial intelligence without losing the essence that makes it special?  Theo Blackwell MBE, London's first Chief Digital Officer, has spent the past nine years tackling exactly that challenge for the Mayor of London. Recorded live at SXSW London, Theo joins host Tanisha Raffiuddin on Talking Place from the London 2050 conference track to explore how the capital is using data, digital innovation and AI to improve the everyday lives of Londoners. This conversation dives into the transformation of King's Cross into a frontier AI hub, how Transport for London became one of the world's most influential smart city testbeds, who really owns London's data across 33 local authorities, and how the Greater London Authority is transforming London into a coherent digital city. Whether you work in placemaking, urban policy or simply want to understand what a smart city really looks like beyond the buzzwords, this episode is for you. Topics CoveredWhy a smart city should start with solving problems for citizens, not technology How Transport for London worked with Google Maps to improve cycling journeys How London doesn't have one central data lake Why the Mayor’s position is an AI realist, and not an AI pessimist How cities can embrace AI without losing public trust If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, subscribe and share.About Our Guest   Theo Blackwell MBE is London's Chief Digital Officer, leading the city's work on digital transformation, data and emerging technologies on behalf of the Mayor of London. He is responsible for shaping London's approach to digital inclusion, innovation and responsible AI, working across government, industry and academia to improve public services and everyday life for Londoners.  Theo has been instrumental in initiatives ranging from Transport for London's open data programme to the London Emerging Technology Charter, helping position London as a global leader in digital innovation while championing a people-first approach to smart cities. His work focuses on how technology, when supported by strong governance and public trust, can help create cities that are more inclusive, resilient and responsive to the needs of their citizens.  Join the Conversation  Who is your city built for? What would it take to make it work for everyone?  Share your thoughts with us on Instagram or LinkedIn @TalkingPlacePodcast using #TalkingPlacePodcast  Links & Mentions  Theo Blackwell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theo-blackwell-mbe/   Transport for London: https://tfl.gov.uk/   London Emerging Technology Charter: https://www.london.gov.uk/publications/emerging-technology-charter-london   Sadiq Khan - Mayor of London  Support 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

What does it feel like to move through a city without fear? To just... switch off?For Melissa Bruntlett, author, mobility advocate, and co-author of the new book Women Changing Cities, that feeling isn't a luxury. It's a design choice. Far too few cities are making it.In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin is joined by Melissa Bruntlett, mobility advocate and co-author of Women Changing Cities, to explore why the cities moving fastest on people-first mobility are so often led by women and what it's really costing them to get there.From the gendered reality of political backlash to the chronic underfunding of community engagement, Melissa brings evidence, honesty, and global perspective to one of the most important questions in urban design today: who is the city actually built for?This conversation goes beyond bike lanes and transport policy to ask something bigger: what does it feel like to move through a city without fear, and how do we build more of them?Topics covered:Why women-led cities are accelerating mobility reformThe real cost of women in urban leadership: backlash, police escorts, and personal attacksWomen-only carriages: progress or a step backwards?What a gender-responsive city looks, feels, and functions likeMultimodal travel explained and why car-centric thinking excludes most peopleThe "software" gap: why community engagement is chronically underfundedThe economic case for people-first mobilityGlobal lessons from Paris, Bogotá, Tirana, Delhi, Sydney, and MontrealE-bikes as an accessibility tool, not a trendThe future of urban mobilityAbout Our GuestMelissa Bruntlett is a mobility advocate, author, and co-founder of Modacity, based in Delft, Netherlands. Together with her husband Chris, she has written three books on cycling, cities, and the way we move, including Building the Cycling City, Curbing Traffic, and their latest, Women Changing Cities.Melissa's work sits at the intersection of gender, mobility, and urban design. She has collaborated with organisations including Women Mobilize Women and the Dutch Cycling Embassy, and has spent the past year travelling the world documenting the women leaders quietly transforming how cities move and the personal price many of them are paying to do it.Join the ConversationWho is your city built for? What would it take to make it work for everyone?Share your thoughts with us on Instagram or LinkedIn @TalkingPlacePodcast using #TalkingPlacePodcastLinks & Mentions●     Women Changing Cities: https://www.modacitylife.com/women-changing-cities●     Melissa Bruntlett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-bruntlett/●     Women Mobilize Women: https://womenmobilize.org/●     Dutch Cycling Embassy: https://dutchcycling.nl/●     Anne Hidalgo - former Mayor of Paris●     Claudia Lopez - former Mayor of Bogotá●     Clover Moore - Mayor of Sydney●     Valerie Plante -  former Mayor of MontrealSupport 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

What happens to a city that treats culture as an afterthought? Founder of MTArt Agency, Marine Tanguy explains why culture is not a luxury but essential urban infrastructure - and why investing in art and artists is one of the smartest decisions cities can make. Marine Tanguy has spent her career demonstrating that public art creates measurable economic, social, and mental health benefits. In this episode, recorded live at SXSW London in Shoreditch, host Tanisha Raffiuddin and Marine get into the real argument: why art is not a cultural luxury but a form of urban infrastructure, what the economics of public art actually look like, how the visual environments of working-class communities are systematically under-resourced, and why the rise of AI makes human creativity more urgent, not less.Marine also shares practical advice for developers, local authorities and city leaders looking to build places people genuinely love.This is a conversation about cities, belonging, and what we owe each other in shared space.TOPICS COVEREDWhy Marine built the world's first talent agency for visual artistsHow public art is valued economically - the academic frameworksThe billboard inequality statistic and what it reveals about cultural accessCities doing culture well: London, Manchester, Liverpool, Sydney, New York, Lyon, ParisPublic art, mental health, and social cohesionThe cost-of-living crisis versus long-term cultural investmentAI, creativity, and the class divide in access to critical thinkingWhat a culturally thriving city looks like in the next ten yearsIf you enjoyed this conversation, please like, subscribe and share.MARINE TANGUYMarine Tanguy is the Founder & CEO of MTArt Agency, the world's first talent agency for visual artists, a Certified B Corporation with offices in London and Paris. She has published academic work on the economic valuation of public art with both Warwick University and UCL, and her first book - The Visual Detox - was published by Penguin. She was appointed a Special Advisor for UN Women UK in 2025.•        MTArt Agency: https://mtart.agencySupport 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

What does it mean for a city to be genuinely co-authored by the people who live in it? In Episode 30 of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin speaks with one of the most consequential figures in the global conversation about digital democracy: Audrey Tang, Taiwan's Cyber Ambassador-at-Large and the world's first openly non-binary cabinet minister.Audrey didn't enter government by campaigning. She occupied the parliament - as a civic hacker during Taiwan's 2014 Sunflower Movement, helping coordinate deliberation among half a million people on the streets of Taipei. Out of that moment came vTaiwan: a participatory platform that turned citizen voices into legislation, resolving disputes from Uber to social media scam advertising by surfacing the ideas both sides could actually live with.In this conversation, Tanisha and Audrey explore:• What it means to be a civic hacker, and how to hack a city• How vTaiwan works, and why it rewards bridging voices rather than outrage• Why the biggest risk of the smart city is that it becomes smarter than its citizens• The difference between data as oil (extractive) and data as soil (tended together)• What mayors and city leaders should actually be doing about AI today• How to move cities from tick-box consultation to genuine co-authorshipIf you work in urban planning, development, or local government - or you just care about the places you live in - this episode is for you.Episode recorded during SXSW London 2026, Shoreditch, LondonLinks and mentions:Audrey Tang: audreyt.orgRight Livelihood Award: rightlivelihood.orgPlurality (public domain): plurality.net Civic AI toolkit: civic.aiSupport 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

Can regeneration strengthen a community rather than replace it?Chrisp Street Market has been part of East London's story for generations. Chrisp Street in E14 is five minutes from Canary Wharf, named on the DLR, and about to turn 75. Built as part of the Festival of Britain in 1951 - one of the UK's first purpose-built mixed-use developments - it's a place with homes, a market, a listed clock tower, and a community that has stayed rooted here across generations.In this episode of Talking Place: Know Your Neighbourhood, host Tanisha Raffiuddin is joined by Georgia Sharpe from Telford Homes to explore what makes Chrisp Street so special, why authenticity matters in regeneration, and how communities can shape the future of the places they love.Together they discuss:•What makes Chrisp Street distinct in East London•The Festival of Britain legacy and Frederick Gibberd's original design•How diversity — ethnic, economic, generational — creates belonging•Community consultation and the future redevelopment vision•Why E14 was named the Sunday Times' No.1 postcode for 2026•What regeneration gets right (and wrong) when it comes to community identityThis episode is part of the Know Your Neighbourhood series, made in partnership with the London Festival of Architecture 2026 on the theme of Belonging.🗓️ LFA Event at Chrisp Street: 27th June 2026. Find details at londonfestivalofarchitecture.org🎙️ Guest: Giorgia Sharpe, Telford Homes🎙️ Host: Tanisha Raffiuddin, Creative Director, Concept CultureSubscribe to Talking Place for more conversations about the built environment, urban design, and the future of cities.Support 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

Host Tanisha Raffiuddin visits Cody Dock in East London and speaks with Simon Myers and Bella Quirin from Cody Dock about what belonging looks like when it is built on collective ownership. This episode is part of the Know Your Neighbourhood series, produced in partnership with the London Festival of Architecture 2026. The theme is Belonging. Cody Dock sits on the River Lee in East London - on the Greenwich Meridian Line, north of the O2. It has a rolling bridge that is the first of its kind in the world, a reed bed that survived the ice age, and an ecology that includes kingfishers, the occasional seal, and a snail that has been here since before the ice age. It is also, somewhat unusually for this part of London, a community space that 4,000 people a year help build with their own hands.Cody Dock is part of the wider Leamouth and Canning Town neighbourhood, a part of East London regenerating at pace but still - as Simon notes - disconnected in ways that developers, planners, and local authorities need to urgently address.In this episode, you will discover:•       What Cody Dock is and why people are surprised when they arrive•       Collective ownership as the foundation of belonging•       4,000 volunteers a year - and 400 names carved into a 12-tonne rolling bridge•       The 999-year lease and thinking beyond short-term regeneration•       The historic lifeboat and its role in the new heritage centre•       Ecology: kingfishers, seals, the German hairy snail, and the dream of oysters back in the Lea•       What the River Lea has been, and what it could become•       Connectivity as the missing piece in East London's regenerationGuests: Simon Myers and  Bella Quirin, Cody Dock. Host: Tanisha Raffiuddin, Creative Director, Concept Culture.Chapters00:00 — Introduction01:00 — Welcome to Cody Dock02:14 — Where is Cody Dock? Locating it on the map03:23 — Belonging at Cody Dock: collective ownership04:54 — 55,000 new homes and why belonging matters in a transient borough05:14 — What is being built right now: the heritage centre and arts space07:14 — What Cody Dock wants to stay the same08:38 — The River Lea: London's forgotten second river09:24 — V&A East, Sadler's Wells, and the cultural shift in East London10:16 — The rolling bridge and 400 names carved in steel11:44 — The 999-year lease: thinking a thousand years ahead13:06 — High-density housing and ecology: can they coexist?14:21 — The German hairy snail and the reed bed surviving since the ice age15:15 — Oysters back in the Lee: a resident's vision becomes an ecology mission18:04 — Zoom out: Cody Dock in the wider Leamouth and Canning Town neighbourhood21:07 — What will make people keep coming back23:48 — Know Your Neighbourhood: rapid fire roundSupport 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

In this episode of Know Your Neighbourhood - produced in partnership with the London Festival of Architecture 2026 - host Tanisha Raffiuddin travels to the City of London, the Square Mile, to meet Eliza Grosvenor of NLA at The London Centre.Together they explore this year's LFA2026 theme of Belonging through one of London's most contradictory neighbourhoods: a place with 2,000 years of Roman history sitting beside some of the capital's newest buildings, where the Great Fire of London destroyed 80% of the city, and where the long-standing perception of “bankers only” is being quietly rewritten by community organisations, free cultural programming, and a new wave of public realm projects.In this episode you will discover:•        Why the City of London is best understood as a “neighbourhood of contrast”•        The real story of the Great Fire of London - and why it shaped the City's winding streets•        Why Christopher Wren's rebuilding plan never happened, and what we got instead•        The myth that the City is “only for bankers” - and what's actually changing•        LFA2026 in the City of London: the Lecture series, the LEGO Challenge, and open livery halls•        A bench, a scale model, and what “belonging” really looks like•        Accessibility and disability justice in a 2,000-year-old neighbourhood•        Know Your Neighbourhood rapid-fire round: coffee, cocktails, views and a curry under £6GuestEliza Grosvenor, NLA (New London Architecture)Chapters•        00:00 — Welcome to Know Your Neighbourhood•        02:28 — The City of London: a neighbourhood of contrast•        03:29 — Inside the Square Mile•        04:26 — What does belonging mean here?•        08:13 — LFA2026: what's on in the City of London•        10:03 — The Great Fire that destroyed 80% of London•        11:59 — Busting the “bankers only” myth•        13:15 — The bench that says it all•        18:20 — What the City risks losing•        20:13 — If Eliza could change one thing in this neighbourhood it would be...•        21:47 — Know Your Neighbourhood - rapid fire roundSupport 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

Bradford was UK’s City of Culture in 2025. The events happened, the crowds came, the spotlight found a city that had been waiting a long time to show the world what it was made of. The real question begins: what did it actually leave behind? In this final episode of our Bradford miniseries, recorded live at the Bradford Showcase at UKREiiF 2026, Tanisha Raffiuddin sits down with Zulfikar Karim, who has spent 25 years in Bradford's cultural landscape, and David Watson, Bradford Council's new Assistant Director of Culture, Policy and Events, to talk about legacy, momentum, and what comes next. Topics covered: The 20-year ambition behind Bradford's City of Culture bid and what winning actually felt like Delivering the year: pace, partnership, exhaustion, and why some of it was experimental on purpose Why Bradford extended City of Culture beyond the city to the whole district Culture as civic infrastructure: Why the argument has already been won Culture as the number one pillar in Bradford's Built Different growth plan The return on £50 million invested in cultural programming Core memories, collective experiences, and the intangible value of a cultural year How to stop momentum stalling when the spotlight moves on Planning Bradford's cultural legacy for 2030, 2040, and beyond 2025 was a rebrand, not a reinvention: Bradford is still Bradford Timestamps:00:01:08 - Welcome and introductions 00:04:01 - Going back to the bid: a 20-year ambition and what winning actually felt like 00:05:13 - What happened immediately after winning: panic, a small pot of money, and making it work 00:11:06 - What it actually takes to deliver a City of Culture: pace, partnership, exhaustion 00:15:40 - Legacy: the year has come and gone. Now what? 00:16:02 - Culture as a catalyst for investment and why Bradford is at UKREiiF talking about it 00:19:15 - Culture as civic infrastructure: the argument has already been won 00:23:03 - The tension between culture and economic development: is there one? 00:32:33 - Creative industries: the third biggest economy in the UK, worth £120 billion 00:34:07 - Core memories: Taylor Swift, Eurovision, a child running through the Mirror Pool 00:36:05 - Final thoughts: how do you stop the momentum from stalling? 00:40:32 – Closing thought: 2025 was a rebrand, not a reinvention. Bradford is still Bradford. About Our Guests Zulfikar Karim Bradford born and bred, fifth generation of South Asian heritage, and has spent the last 25 years working in culture and tourism in the city. For Zulfi, 2025 was the pinnacle of a 30-year journey from a time when culture in Bradford meant a museum, to a year that put the city on the world stage. David Watson Assistant Director of Culture, Policy and Events at Bradford Council, a role created as part of Bradford's City of Culture legacy infrastructure. Trained originally as a dancer and choreographer, David has built a career as a cultural leader and has previously delivered a City of Culture programme. He arrived in Bradford five weeks before this recording, already consumed by the city's energy, and focused on turning a remarkable cultural year into a long-term movement. Join the Conversation The spotlight has moved on from Bradford's City of Culture year, but the legacy is only just beginning. What does culture-led regeneration look like when the cameras stop rolling? Share your thoughts with us on Instagram or LinkedIn @TalkingPlacePodcast using #TalkingPlacePodcast Links & Mentions Bradford Council — https://www.bradford.gov.uk UKREiiF 2026 — https://www.ukreiif.com Bradford 2025 City of Culture — https://www.bradford2025.co.uk West Yorkshire Combined Authority — https://www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk Support 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

What makes a neighbourhood feel like home?In this episode of Talking Place's Know Your Neighbourhood series, host Tanisha Raffiuddin visits Fitzrovia with Marcos Gold, Director of Policy and Place at The Fitzrovia Partnership.Recorded as part of the London Festival of Architecture's 2026 theme of Belonging, this conversation explores how one of central London's most dynamic neighbourhoods balances change, heritage and community.From hidden streets and independent businesses to stories of activism, public space and local identity, discover why Fitzrovia is often described as the place locals tell you to visit.In this episode you will discover:• Why Fitzrovia feels different from other central London neighbourhoods• The power of discovery in shaping memorable places• What belonging means in a constantly changing city• Fitzrovia's connection to Princess Diana and AIDS activism• Why green space matters for urban wellbeing• The role of people in creating successful placesKnow Your Neighbourhood is produced in partnership with the London Festival of Architecture 2026. Five neighbourhoods. Five conversations. One question: what does it mean to belong?Chapters• 00:00 What is Fitzrovia?• 01:00 Where it sits in London• 02:00 What creates a sense of belonging• 03:20 The BT Tower & place identity• 04:00 Hidden restaurants & local favourites• 05:30 Discoverability & navigation• 07:20 Why people keep coming back• 09:00 Community & connection• 11:00 Fitzrovia’s untold history• 13:00 The future: green spaces & wellbeingMentions:• BT Tower • Fitzroy Square • Charlotte Street • Great Titchfield Street • Alfred Place • London Festival of Architecture • Find Fitzrovia programmeSubscribe to our channel for more conversations exploring the future of cities, placemaking and belonging.Support 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

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

What makes people feel they belong somewhere?In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin visits Alexandra Palace and Wood Green as part of London Festival of Architecture's Know Your Neighbourhood series exploring the theme of belonging.Joined by Louise Johnson from the Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust, the conversation explores why ‘Ally Pally’ continues to hold such a special place in the hearts of Londoners more than 150 years after it first opened its doors.From its role as the birthplace of television to the memories created through concerts, family traditions and everyday walks in the park, Alexandra Palace reveals how places become part of our personal and collective identities.The episode also uncovers the hidden creative energy of Wood Green, from its cultural quarter to its remarkable concentration of music recording studios, highlighting a side of the neighbourhood that many visitors may not be aware of.Together, they discuss stewardship, heritage, creativity, public space and the responsibility of caring for places that generations of people call their own.Topics covered:• The story behind London's People's Palace • Why belonging is built through shared memories • Alexandra Palace's role in broadcasting history • Hidden creative communities in Wood Green • Heritage, sustainability and stewardship • The importance of neighbourhood identity in LondonPlus, the rapid-fire round: best coffee, best view, the walk only locals know, and what you don't really understand about this neighbourhood until you've watched the sunset from the south terrace.Know Your Neighbourhood is a five-episode series exploring five London Festival of Architecture 2026 neighbourhoods through the lens of this year's theme: Belonging.If you've ever wondered why certain places stay with us long after we've left them, this episode and series are for you.If you've ever wondered why certain places stay with us long after we've left them, this episode is for you.ShownotesWelcome to Alexandra Palace & Wood Green What belonging means in a London neighbourhood The People's Palace and its civic mission  Why people keep returning to Ally Pally  Memories, milestones and emotional attachment  The hidden creative economy of Wood Green  The birthplace of television  Heritage skills and future stewardship  Sustainability and caring for future generations  Know Your Neighbourhood rapid-fire roundAbout Our Guest Louise Johnson is Head of Strategic Planning and Projects at Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust. Links and Mentions Alexandra Park and Palace Trust: https://www.alexandrapalace.com  North London Skate Club:  https://www.northlondonskateclub.com  London Festival of Architecture 2026:  https://www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org  Under Many Flags mural by Matt Dosso Ludos:  https://ludoslondon.co.uk/ Oita: https://www.oitarestaurant.com/woodgreen Blue House Yard: https://www.bluehouseyard.com/ Wolves Lane: https://www.wolveslane.org/Support 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

Bradford is one of the UK's most talked-about regeneration stories and for good reason. With a demographic dividend, a stunning heritage canvas, and one of the boldest city centre transformation programmes in the country underway, Bradford is doing something different. In this episode, recorded live at the Bradford Showcase at UKREiiF 2026 in Leeds, I sat down with three people right at the heart of making Bradford's next chapter happen. David Shepherd, Strategic Director for Growth at Bradford Council, the person responsible for the blueprint that's driving the city forward. Lisa Gledhill, Managing Director of National Partnerships at Muse and a Director of the English Cities Fund, the development partner behind Bradford City Village. And Niall Bourke, Associate Director at Arup, who's been watching Bradford City Centre transform over two decades of work on the ground. We talk about what it means to make a market in a city at marginal viability, the art and hard work of public-private partnership, custodianship of heritage, of community, of momentum, and what it really takes to shape a city that works for everyone who lives in it. Topics covered: What Bradford is and why it's been underestimated The city's demographic dividend and what it means for economic growth What it means to be a Core City beyond the headline The Southern Gateway: 146 hectares and a chance to stitch communities back together Bradford City Village: transforming the old retail heart into 1,000 homes The viability challenge: Why Bradford is "making a market" What the Mirror Pool moment revealed about pent-up demand for great public space The Born in Bradford longitudinal study and how data is shaping housing and public realm decisions What makes a public-private partnership work: aligned values, shared objectives, and trust Final thoughts: vision, relentless drive, grit, determination, and humility About Our Guests David Shepherd Strategic Director for Growth at Bradford Council, where he leads the blueprint for delivering economic growth and built environment improvements across the district. A lifelong Bradfordian, David has spent the last three and a half years driving some of the city's most significant regeneration investment, from the pedestrianisation of the city centre to the Southern Gateway masterplan. Lisa Gledhill Managing Director of National Partnerships at Muse and a Director of the English Cities Fund (ECF), the development partner behind Bradford City Village. A Bradfordian by upbringing who built her career in London, Lisa brings over 25 years of experience in complex urban regeneration partnerships. Niall Bourke Associate Director at Arup, a global built environment consultancy. Based in Leeds, Niall has worked closely with Bradford Council and its partners for over two decades, including on Bradford City Park, one of the city's first major public realm investments. Join the Conversation Bradford is making a market, but what does it take to back a city before the market does? Share your thoughts with us on Instagram or LinkedIn @TalkingPlacePodcast using #TalkingPlacePodcast Links & Mentions Bradford City Village - https://www.bradfordcityvillage.co.uk Invest in Bradford - https://www.investinbradford.com/showcasing-bradford/showcasing-bradford/  Muse Developments - https://www.muse.co.uk English Cities Fund (ECF) - https://www.englishcitiesfund.co.uk Arup - https://www.arup.com Bradford Council - https://www.bradford.gov.uk Born in Bradford - https://borninbradford.nhs.uk West Yorkshire Combined Authority - https://www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk UKREiiF 2026 - https://www.ukreiif.com Northern Powerhouse Rail Norfolk Gardens, Bradford Bradford City Park Airedale New Build Hospital Support 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

What does it mean to design a city that's truly just? And can we actually design out danger?In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin sits down with Deborah Saunt, founding director of award-winning London practice DSDHA, for a wide-ranging conversation on spatial justice, community-led design, the safety of women and girls in urban space, and what it means to build cities that work for everyone.Deborah brings the full weight of over 25 years in architecture and urban design to a conversation that moves from the deeply personal - feeling unwelcome as a 14-year-old girl walking through Belgravia - to the systemic: who writes the brief, who authors space, and who gets left out.Topics covered in this episode:•        What spatial justice actually means - and why 'public' doesn't always mean inclusive•        DSDHA's 'community is context' philosophy and their practice of always talking to at least 100 people before designing anything•        The Crabtree Fields restoration in Fitzrovia - a masterclass in co-design across 40 years•        Mobility as a right - and why London's transport funding model is failing its residents•        The male default in public space design, including hire bikes, lighting, and sightlines•        'Movement and view' - Deborah's practical framework for designing safe public spaces•        Regenerative design and the principle of being 'a good ancestor.'•        DSDHA's next chapter: extra-urban, the Scottish Highlands studio, and what comes after cities Resources & Links:•        Deborah Saunt / DSDHA: https://dsdha.co.uk•        Towards Spatial Justice (RIBA-funded research): https://dsdha.co.uk/discourse/writing/towards-spatial-justice•        Make Space for Girls: https://www.makespaceforgirls.co.uk•        London School of Architecture: https://www.lsa.ac.uk Talking Place is hosted by Tanisha Raffiuddin, Creative Director at Concept Culture. New episodes every fortnight exploring placemaking, urban design, branding, and the stories behind the spaces we inhabit.Sign up for our newsletter: https://linkly.link/2ioti#SpatialJustice #UrbanDesign #Architecture #Placemaking #PublicSpace #TalkingPlacePodcast #ConceptCulture #DSDHA #DeborahSauntSupport 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

Patrick Schumacher, Principal of Zaha Hadid Architects, joins Talking Place for a conversation that challenges some of the most settled assumptions in contemporary placemaking and urban design.From the claim that inclusiveness undermines rather than strengthens place identity, to the argument that London should house 30 million people and that the UK planning system is structurally incapable of delivering the homes the country needs, Patrik makes a case for a more specific, more curated, and more ambitious approach to the built environment.The conversation also ventures into the frontier of AI-powered architecture - not the image generation many are familiar with, but the deep technical work ZHA is doing to train machine learning models to understand structure, tectonics, and fabrication logic. And it closes with Patrik's vision for ZHA's Metrotopia: a virtual city that may reshape how communities form, how conferences run, and how architecture is experienced.Challenging, sensational, and dramatic - this is Talking Place at its most provocative.RESOURCES/ PROJECTS MENTIONED●      Reinier de Graaf · Architect, Comma, Verb●      Second Home · mixed-use workspace, London●      DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza) · Seoul, ZHA●      Heydar Aliyev Centre · Baku, ZHA●      Galaxy SOHO · Beijing, ZHA●      Vitra Fire Station · ZHA●      ZHA Metrotopia · virtual city project●      Prospera · charter city project, HondurasAbout Patrik SchumacherPatrik Schumacher is Principal of Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) and one of the leading theorists in contemporary architecture. The author of the two-volume treatise “The Autopoiesis of Architecture”, he is known for his unapologetic advocacy of parametricism and free-market urbanism. His latest book, ‘Tectonism – Architecture for the 21st Century’, was released in 2023. His current research and design interest is focused on the metaverse and the integration of real and virtual communication spaces. He received the European Architecture Award in 2025.Support 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

Season 3 Trailer — Talking PlaceThe conversations cities need. The ones the industry keeps avoiding.Season 3 of Talking Place is coming — and it's the most urgent series yet. From the economics of viability to the politics of inclusion. From women changing cities under threat to tactical urbanism in a war zone, with air raid sirens in the background.If you believe cities should be safer, smarter, and built for everyone — this season is for you.Follow Talking Place now with your host Tanisha Raffiuddin. Episodes dropping soon.Support 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

Retrofit is often framed as a technical challenge — but what if it’s actually about people, pride and place?In this episode, Anna Moore, founder of Domna, joins Talking Place to unpack why upgrading the homes we already live in is essential for tackling fuel poverty, improving health, and creating stronger communities.From the realities of funding and policy to the role of AI and community engagement, this is a grounded, hopeful conversation about how retrofit can reshape the UK’s housing future — one home at a time.About Our GuestAnna Moore is the Founder of Domna, a UK based retrofit company working across social, affordable, and private housing to improve energy efficiency, reduce fuel poverty, and create healthier homes. Before founding Domna, Anna spent a decade at McKinsey, where she was a Partner leading its UK construction and real estate practice and co-leading its European sustainability strategy.Domna operates at national scale, working on tens of thousands of homes each year and combining machine learning driven stock assessment with on the ground delivery. The company partners with housing associations, local authorities, investors, and community groups to turn retrofit into a viable, investable, and people centred solution.Anna is a passionate advocate for treating homes as critical social infrastructure and believes that creating value and creating values must go hand in hand if the UK is to meet its housing, climate, and social impact goals.Join the Conversation:What would it take to retrofit homes at scale while putting people first?How can better homes reshape health, dignity, and belonging?Share your thoughts with us on Instagram or LinkedIn @TalkingPlacePodcast using #TalkingPlacePodcastSupport 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

What role does culture play in shaping our cities, and how can collaboration across borders help places thrive?In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin talks place with Gregorio Scarpella, Director of the Global Cultural Districts Network (GCDN), a worldwide network connecting cultural districts at the intersection of culture and urbanism.Drawing on his international journey and his leadership of a global peer network, Gregorio shares how cultural districts can act as catalysts for more inclusive, resilient, and human-centred cities. From governance and stewardship to climate action, equity, and relevance, the conversation explores how culture operates not as an add-on, but as essential urban infrastructure Together, they unpack how collaboration, care, and curiosity can turn places into shared civic assets and why cultural leadership matters more than ever in a rapidly changing world In this episode, you’ll learn:🟣 What defines a cultural district and why GCDN avoids rigid models in favour of shared agendas and collaboration🟣 How cultural districts sit between institutions and cities, unlocking impact greater than the sum of their parts🟣 Why stewardship, programming, and “vibe” are as important as physical design in creating great places🟣 How cultural districts worldwide are grappling with climate change, displacement, and questions of value🟣 What successful examples like The Bentway in Toronto reveal about long-term, people-first placemaking About Our GuestGregorio Scarpella is the Director of the Global Cultural Districts Network (GCDN), a membership organisation supporting more than 70 cultural districts worldwide. Born in Brazil, raised in Switzerland, and now working globally, Gregorio brings an international perspective to cultural placemaking, governance, and urban collaboration.GCDN convenes cultural leaders across continents to share research, practice, and policy on issues ranging from public realm activation and social impact to climate resilience, equity, and digital transformation. Under Gregorio’s leadership, the network has expanded its global reach, research output, and role as a trusted forum for candid, peer-to-peer exchange A passionate advocate for relevance, collaboration, and care, Gregorio believes culture is fundamental to human connection and that cities thrive when people feel welcome, safe, and able to gather.Join the Conversation:What makes a place feel welcoming, relevant, and alive?How can culture help cities respond to today’s biggest challenges?Share your thoughts with us on Instagram or LinkedIn @TalkingPlacePodcast using #TalkingPlacePodcast🔗 Links & Mentions:🌍 Global Cultural Districts Network (GCDN): https://www.gcdn.net🏙️ The Bentway, Toronto: https://www.thebentway.ca🎭 Quartier des Spectacles, Montreal: https://www.quartierdesspectacles.com📍 Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Athens: https://www.snfcc.orgTo learn more about the host Tanisha Raffiuddin – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tanishaaWebsite: www.conceptculture.coTwitter: @tanisha.rrInstagram: @tanisha.rrTo learn more about Talking Place – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/talking-place-podcastWebsite: https://www.conceptculture.co/talking-place-podcastInstagram: @talkingplacepodcastX (Twitter): @tppodcast_Bluesky: @talkingplaceTikTok: @talkingplacepodcastTo learn more about Concept Culture – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/concept-culture-ukWebsite: www.conceptculture.coTwitter: @_conceptcultureInstagram: @_conceptcultureSign up to our Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/concSupport 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

How do homes shape our health, happiness, and sense of belonging, and what does it take to design places where everyone can truly thrive?In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin talks place with Ruth Skidmore, Social Impact Lead at Meeting Place, whose journey from architecture into social impact has shaped a people first approach to planning, development, and placemaking.Together, they explore why homes matter far beyond bricks and mortar, how community voices can meaningfully influence development, and why equitable, accessible, safe places are essential to a healthy and cohesive society.In this episode, you will learn:🟣 How Ruth’s squiggly career from architecture to social impact shaped her perspective on place, community, and responsibility🟣 How Meeting Place uses creative engagement methods from high street pop ups to school workshops and digital tools to reach people who are often left out of planning conversations🟣 What The Impact of a Home report is trying to measure and why understanding the social and wellbeing impact of all types of homes really mattersAbout Our GuestRuth Skidmore is the Social Impact Lead at Meeting Place, where she works with developers, local authorities, institutions, and communities to embed social value, meaningful engagement, and equitable design into development projects of many different scales.Trained as an architect, Ruth’s career includes experience in design studios, sustainability consultancies, and social impact research. Her award winning masters thesis on social value calculators led to published work in The Developer and opened the door to her transition into impact led consultancy.At Meeting Place, she leads on community engagement strategies, social value research, and the development of The Impact of a Home, a new national framework designed to quantify how homes affect wellbeing, opportunity, and community strength.Ruth is a passionate advocate for creating places that are safe, inclusive, and accessible for everyone, prioritising face to face engagement, storytelling, and intergenerational dialogue to shape the future of the built environment.Join the Conversation:What makes a place feel like home, its design, its stories, or the people who shape it?Share your thoughts with us on Instagram or LinkedIn @TalkingPlacePodcast using the hashtag #TalkingPlacePodcastLinks and Mentions:Meeting Place: https://www.meeting-place.ukImpact of a home report: https://meeting-place.uk/impact-of-a-home/To learn more about the host Tanisha Raffiuddin – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tanishaaWebsite: www.conceptculture.coTwitter: @tanisha.rrInstagram: @tanisha.rrTo learn more about Talking Place – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/talking-place-podcastWebsite: https://www.conceptculture.co/talking-place-podcastInstagram: @talkingplacepodcastX (Twitter): @tppodcast_Bluesky: @talkingplaceTikTok: @talkingplacepodcastTo learn more about Concept Culture – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/concept-culture-ukWebsite: www.conceptculture.coTwitter: @_conceptcultureInstagram: @_conceptcultureSign up to our Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/conceptculture/newslettersignupSupport 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

How do we fix a broken real estate system built on short-term returns?In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin ‘talks place’ with Ben Cross, Founder of MORE, a purpose-led real estate and development company rethinking how we value, retrofit, and regenerate buildings.Together, they explore why the current real estate model is “broken,” how ethics and care must be central to decision-making, and why true sustainability requires both financial viability and social responsibility.In this episode, you’ll learn:🟣 What it means to deliver purpose-led development in practice, and why impact matters more than scale🟣 Why doing the right thing starts with taking responsibility yourself, instead of ‘outsourcing being a good person’🟣 How MORE is retrofitting one of London’s most misunderstood postmodern landmarks, No. 1 Poultry, into a future-ready workplace🟣 The realities behind viability, why “profit” shouldn’t be a dirty word, and how it could be reframed  as “economic vitality”🟣 How MORE’s collaboration with UK Green Building Council’s to create new retrofit taxonomy could simplify and accelerate the decarbonisation of existing buildingsAbout Our GuestBen Cross is the Founder of MORE, a development and investment business driven by purpose, design integrity, and impact. With a background in both architecture and real estate, Ben has worked across the full lifecycle of the built environment, from design and planning to investment and delivery.MORE is leading the retrofit of the Grade II* listed No. 1 Poultry in the City of London, while collaborating with the UK Green Building Council to define a national retrofit taxonomy that helps the industry move faster, smarter, and more sustainably.A passionate advocate for ethical decision-making and pragmatic sustainability, Ben believes that the industry must “care a lot more”, about people, place, and progress.Join the Conversation:How do we rebuild trust and integrity in real estate, through policy, people, or purpose?Share your thoughts with us on Instagram or LinkedIn @TalkingPlacePodcast using the hashtag #TalkingPlacePodcast🔗 Links & Mentions: 🏢 MORE: https://www.more.london 🌆 No. 1 Poultry, City of London: https://historicengland.org.uk 🌍 UK Green Building Council: https://www.ukgbc.orgTo learn more about the host Tanisha Raffiuddin – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tanishaaWebsite: www.conceptculture.coTwitter: @tanisha.rrInstagram: @tanisha.rrTo learn more about Talking Place – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/talking-place-podcastWebsite: https://www.conceptculture.co/talking-place-podcastInstagram: @talkingplacepodcastX (Twitter): @tppodcast_Bluesky: @talkingplaceTikTok: @talkingplacepodcastTo learn more about Concept Culture – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/concept-culture-ukWebsite: www.conceptculture.coTwitter: @_conceptcultureInstagram: @_conceptcultureSign up to our Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/conceptculture/newslettersignupSupport 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

How can Local Authorities create places people truly belong to, and what does public placeshaping look like in action?In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin ‘talks place’ with John Stiles, Placemaking Manager at Brent Council, recorded live at the Brent Civic Centre in the heart of Wembley Park.An architect and town planner, John shares his journey from private practice to public sector placemaking, and why he believes the biggest impact in shaping better cities can happen inside local government.Together, they explore how councils are rethinking procurement, partnerships, and value creation, and what it means to shape places that people care for, and that care for them in return.In this episode, you’ll learn:🟣 How John transitioned from private practice to public placemaking through the Public Practice programme🟣 Why local authorities can deliver impact faster, despite perceptions of bureaucracy🟣 How councils are becoming more entrepreneurial, generating value and revenue from in-house expertise🟣 The challenges and ethics of procurement, and why John calls it “an absolute dark art”🟣 What makes Brent one of London’s most diverse and dynamic boroughs, from Wembley’s transformation to Neasden’s cultural pride🟣 How build-to-rent communities are reshaping the idea of belonging and transience🟣 Why placemaking should be participatory, bringing community voices and young people into the process🟣 The future of Brent: from growth areas and green infrastructure to AI-driven efficiencies in planningAbout Our GuestJohn Stiles is an architect and town planner currently serving as Placemaking Manager at the London Borough of Brent. He leads on strategic masterplans across the borough’s key growth areas, combining built and natural environment disciplines to shape inclusive, sustainable neighbourhoods.Before joining Brent, John worked in private practice with Bell Phillips and McCraner-Lamington, and later joined Transport for London’s Places for London through the Public Practice programme. He is also a member of the Folkestone and Hythe Place Panel, and lectures across UK architecture and planning schools.Passionate about social impact, John believes great places emerge from collaboration, where councils, communities, and designers share responsibility for shaping cities that work for everyone.Join the Conversation:How can the public sector lead the way in creating places people genuinely care about?Share your thoughts with us on Instagram or LinkedIn @TalkingPlacePodcast using the hashtag #TalkingPlacePodcast🔗 Links & Mentions:🏛️ Brent Council – https://www.brent.gov.uk🏙️ Public Practice – https://www.publicpractice.org.ukTo learn more about the host Tanisha Raffiuddin – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tanishaaWebsite: www.conceptculture.coTwitter: @tanisha.rrInstagram: @tanisha.rrTo learn more about Talking Place – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/talking-place-podcastWebsite: https://www.conceptculture.co/talking-place-podcastInstagram: @talkingplacepodcastX (Twitter): @tppodcast_Bluesky: @talkingplaceTikTok: @talkingplacepodcastTo learn more about Concept Culture – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/concept-culture-ukWebsite: www.conceptculture.coTwitter: @_conceptcultureInstagram: @_conceptcultureSign up to our Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/conceptculture/newslettersignupSupport 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

What makes a city truly work, and how do we design places that endure the test of time?In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin ‘talks place’ with Bob Allies, Partner at Allies and Morrison, whose work has shaped some of the UK’s most transformative urban projects - from King’s Cross and the Olympic Park to Brent Cross Town, Bath, and the London College of Fashion building at East Bank, recently shortlisted for the 2025 RIBA Stirling Prize.Together, they explore how masterplans evolve over decades, the importance of continuity and connection, and why a city masterplan should room for change, adaptation, and community ownership.In this episode, you’ll learn:🟣 How Allies and Morrison’s early housing projects in Milton Keynes and Brindleyplace, Birmingham, shaped their approach to urban design 🟣 Why continuity, hierarchy, and enclosure are essential ingredients in creating places people can navigate and understand 🟣 How long-term masterplans like King’s Cross balance flexibility with fixity - and why a masterplan should be seen as a process, not a plan 🟣 The story behind the London College of Fashion at East Bank - and how it captures the creative energy of ‘making’  🟣 What it means to serve as Bath’s first Architect in Residence, and how stewardship and design leadership can help historic cities face modern challenges 🟣 Bob’s reflections on urban change, public space, and why cities must evolve to stay aliveAbout Our GuestBob Allies is a partner of Allies and Morrison; Architect in Residence for the City of Bath and Professor of Architecture at the University of Bath; member of Council and chair of the Faculty of Architecture at the British School at Rome; chair of Design Review for Design South East; a member of the Council of the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain and a trustee of the Historic Towns Trust. Allies and Morrison is the London-based practice behind major urban regeneration schemes including King’s Cross, the Olympic Park, Brent Cross Town, and Bankside. He also serves as the Architect in Residence for the City of Bath, advising on how to balance heritage, climate resilience, and the city’s evolving identity.A passionate advocate for long-term design thinking, Bob believes that cities thrive when they evolve - shaped by collaboration, continuity, and care.Join the Conversation:What makes a city last — its design, its people, or its ability to change?Share your thoughts with us on Instagram or LinkedIn @TalkingPlacePodcast using the hashtag #talkingplacepodcast Links & Mentions:🏛️ Allies and Morrison: https://www.alliesandmorrison.com🎓 London College of Fashion, East Bank: https://lcf.london.ac.uk🏆 RIBA Stirling Prize 2025 Shortlist: https://www.architecture.com🌆 City of Bath, Architect in Residence: https://visitbath.co.ukTo learn more about the host Tanisha Raffiuddin – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tanishaaWebsite: www.conceptculture.coTwitter: @tanisha.rrInstagram: @tanisha.rrTo learn more about Talking Place – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/talking-place-podcastWebsite: https://www.conceptculture.co/talking-place-podcastInstagram: @talkingplacepodcastX (Twitter): @tppodcast_Bluesky: @talkingplaceTikTok: @talkingplacepodcastTo learn more about Concept Culture – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/concept-culture-ukWebsite: www.conceptculture.coTwitter: @_conceptcultureInstagram: @_conceptcultureSign up to our Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/conceptculture/newslettersignupSupport 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

What makes a city truly work, and how do we design places that endure the test of time?In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin ‘talks place’ with Bob Allies, Partner at Allies and Morrison, whose work has shaped some of the UK’s most transformative urban projects - from King’s Cross and the Olympic Park to Brent Cross Town, Bath, and the London College of Fashion building at East Bank, recently shortlisted for the 2025 RIBA Stirling Prize.Together, they explore how masterplans evolve over decades, the importance of continuity and connection, and why a city masterplan should room for change, adaptation, and community ownership.In this episode, you’ll learn:🟣 How Allies and Morrison’s early housing projects in Milton Keynes and Brindleyplace, Birmingham, shaped their approach to urban design 🟣 Why continuity, hierarchy, and enclosure are essential ingredients in creating places people can navigate and understand 🟣 How long-term masterplans like King’s Cross balance flexibility with fixity - and why a masterplan should be seen as a process, not a plan 🟣 The story behind the London College of Fashion at East Bank - and how it captures the creative energy of ‘making’  🟣 What it means to serve as Bath’s first Architect in Residence, and how stewardship and design leadership can help historic cities face modern challenges 🟣 Bob’s reflections on urban change, public space, and why cities must evolve to stay aliveAbout Our GuestBob Allies is a partner of Allies and Morrison; Architect in Residence for the City of Bath and Professor of Architecture at the University of Bath; member of Council and chair of the Faculty of Architecture at the British School at Rome; chair of Design Review for Design South East; a member of the Council of the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain and a trustee of the Historic Towns Trust. Allies and Morrison is the London-based practice behind major urban regeneration schemes including King’s Cross, the Olympic Park, Brent Cross Town, and Bankside. He also serves as the Architect in Residence for the City of Bath, advising on how to balance heritage, climate resilience, and the city’s evolving identity.A passionate advocate for long-term design thinking, Bob believes that cities thrive when they evolve - shaped by collaboration, continuity, and care.Join the Conversation:What makes a city last — its design, its people, or its ability to change?Share your thoughts with us on Instagram or LinkedIn @TalkingPlacePodcast using the hashtag #talkingplacepodcast Links & Mentions:🏛️ Allies and Morrison: https://www.alliesandmorrison.com🎓 London College of Fashion, East Bank: https://lcf.london.ac.uk🏆 RIBA Stirling Prize 2025 Shortlist: https://www.architecture.com🌆 City of Bath, Architect in Residence: https://visitbath.co.ukTo learn more about the host Tanisha Raffiuddin – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tanishaaWebsite: www.conceptculture.coTwitter: @tanisha.rrInstagram: @tanisha.rrTo learn more about Talking Place – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/talking-place-podcastWebsite: https://www.conceptculture.co/talking-place-podcastInstagram: @talkingplacepodcastX (Twitter): @tppodcast_Bluesky: @talkingplaceTikTok: @talkingplacepodcastTo learn more about Concept Culture – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/concept-culture-ukWebsite: www.conceptculture.coTwitter: @_conceptcultureInstagram: @_conceptcultureSign up to our Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/conceptculture/newslettersignupSupport 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

What if buildings didn’t just get demolished, but were moved, reused, and reborn?In this episode of Talking Place, Tanisha Raffiuddin ‘talks place’ with Olly Watts (Joint CEO) and Amy Casterton (Business Development Director) of ES Global, the company pioneering relocatable, modular architecture for some of the world’s biggest stages - from World Expos and Olympic Games to the ABBA Voyage arena in East London. Together, they dive into the fascinating world of delivering demountable structures for global events, and how reusable and relocatable architecture is reshaping the future of events, cities, and the circular economy.In this episode, you’ll learn: 🟣 How World  Expos and Olympic pavilions can become catalysts for innovation and legacy in construction 🟣 The challenges of delivering multiple national pavilions across cultures, time zones, and politics on projects like the Osaka World Expo 2025 🟣 What it takes to build high-quality, code-compliant venues designed to move and adapt to new locations 🟣 How projects like the ABBA Voyage arena and the Jakarta International Velodrome prove that circular design can leave a lasting cultural impactAbout Our Guests:Olly Watts is Joint CEO and co-founder of ES Global, leading its global expansion from music touring roots to landmark projects across Expos, Olympics, and beyond.Amy Casterton is Business Development Director at ES Global, focused on forging partnerships and new opportunities across the company’s international offices in the UK, Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and the US.Resources & Links Mentioned:Osaka Expo 2025: https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/ABBA Voyage: https://abbavoyage.comWhether you’re a developer, designer, or urbanist curious about the future of the built environment, this episode reveals how architecture can travel, and how reuse and modular design are redefining placemaking on a global stage.Join the Conversation:What role should reusable, relocatable architecture play in shaping our cities?Share your thoughts with us on Instagram or LinkedIn @TalkingPlacePodcast with the hashtag #TalkingPlacePodcast🔗 Links & Mentions:ES Global: https://esglobal.co.ukOlly WattsLinkedin: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/olly-watts-78059635Amy CastertonLinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/amy-casterton-85aa0926To learn more about the host Tanisha Raffiuddin – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tanishaaWebsite: www.conceptculture.coTwitter: @tanisha.rrInstagram: @tanisha.rrTo learn more about Talking Place – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/talking-place-podcastWebsite: https://www.conceptculture.co/talking-place-podcastInstagram: @talkingplacepodcastX (Twitter): @tppodcast_Bluesky: @talkingplaceTikTok: @talkingplacepodcastTo learn more about Concept Culture – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/concept-culture-ukWebsite: www.conceptculture.coTwitter:Support 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

What does it mean to reimagine a place as complex and stories as Earls Court?In this episode of Talking Place, Tanisha Raffiuddin speaks with Tom Branton, Development Director at the Earls Court Development Company, about the ambitious transformation of the former exhibition centre site and its surrounding neighbourhoods. Together, they unpack how culture, creativity, and community engagement are being woven into the masterplan to create a vibrant, inclusive new district for London.In this episode, you’ll learn:- How Earls Court aims to honour its past while building trust with future residents - Why culture is central to the transformation of Earls Court- How to meaningfully involve communities in shaping long-term visions- The role of ‘wonder’ and creativity in building trust and identity in development projects- The gritty realities of large-scale development and creating long-term impact.About Our Guest:Tom Branton is the Development Director at the Earls Court Development Company, leading on the delivery of one of London’s largest and most high-profile regeneration projects. With extensive experience in complex urban development, Tom is passionate about creating places that are rooted in community, enriched by culture, and built for the future.Whether you're a developer, placemaker, urbanist, or curious Londoner - this episode is packed with insights on how cities can be reimagined with creativity, care, and community at their core.📸 Video and photography content courtesy of Earls Court Development Company🔗 Links & Mentions:Earls Court Development CompanyWebsite: https://www.earlscourt.com/Tom BrantonLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-branton-b8313226/Follow ECDC on Instagram: @earlscourtdevcoTo learn more about Tanisha – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tanishaa Website: www.conceptculture.co Twitter: @tanisha.rr Instagram: @tanisha.rrTo learn more about Talking Place – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/talking-place-podcast Website: https://www.conceptculture.co/talking-place-podcast Instagram: @talkingplacepodcast X (Twitter): @tppodcast_ Bluesky: @talkingplace TikTok: @talkingplacepodcastTo learn more about Concept Culture – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/concept-culture-uk Website: www.conceptculture.co Twitter: @_conceptculture Instagram: @_conceptcultureTimestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Why Earls Court matters 05:00 – Embedding culture in regeneration 12:00 – Community engagement in practice 20:00 – Lessons from large-scale development projects 28:00 – Building trust through creativity 36:00 – The future vision for Earls CourtSupport 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

What makes a place truly people-friendly?In this episode of Talking Place, Tanisha Raffiuddin speaks with Hilary Satchwell - Director at Tibbalds and the Mayor of London’s Town Architect for Angel Edmonton - about designing inclusive cities, embedding social value, and planning for the next 100 years. From safer streets for women and children to the power of storytelling in placemaking, this conversation is packed with insights for anyone passionate about urban design and the future of our cities.In this episode, you’ll learn:✔ Why designing for women and children benefits everyone✔ How social value goes beyond buzzwords in urban planning✔ Why movement networks - not just buildings - are the backbone of great places✔ The concept of “cathedral thinking” and why we should plan for 100 years ahead✔ How storytelling and emotion can transform placemaking conversationsAbout Our Guest:Hilary Satchwell is a Director at Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design and one of the Mayor of London’s Town Architects, working to champion design quality and community-focused regeneration. With over 25 years in the sector, Hilary brings deep expertise in creating people-friendly places that work for everyone.Resources & Links Mentioned:Quality of Life Foundation – Design Codes for Health & Wellbeinghttps://www.qolf.org/what-we-do/design-codes-for-health-and-wellbeing/Part W – Built Barriers Campaignhttps://www.part-w.com/builtbarriersTibbalds Planning and Urban Designhttps://www.tibbalds.co.uk/Join the Conversation:What does a people-friendly city mean to you? Share your thoughts on Instagram or LinkedIn @TalkingPlacePodcast.🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more conversations on placemaking, design, and the future of our cities.Support 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

In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin is joined by Devorah Block, founder of the Place Literacy Project, to explore why  ‘place’  sits at the nexusof today’s polycrisis,and how a shared language could unlock collaboration across the built environment, policy and the general public.Together, they unpack what  ‘place literacy’  means, teh need for agreed definitions, why conversations across the built environment sectors often fail owing to a lack of a shared language, and how promoting incredible work already being done could help us create more inclusive, resilient, and democratic places.From Devorah’s journey from art history and museums into strategic consulting for the Built Environment Trust, to her vision for a place literacy  framework and lexicon that bridges silos, this conversation challenges how we think about place, placemaking, and our own role in shaping the spaces we inhabit.Discover:What “place literacy” is - and why it matters for everyone, not just practitioners and policy makersHow siloed language and vertical barriers are holding back progress in the built environmentThe role of shared language in connecting climate, equity, migration, and other intertwined crisesWhy definitions of  ‘good’  places are never universal - and how they can change over timeThe lessons from projects like Civic Square in Birmingham that give true democratic agency to communitiesHow the Place Literacy Project’s workshops are helping everyone from schoolchildren to policymakers engage with the complexity of placeWhether you’re an architect, planner, policymaker, developer, or community organiser, this episode will expand how you think about collaboration, language, and the future of our shared natural and built environments.Join us as we ‘talk place’.🔗 Links & Mentions: Learn more about the Place Literacy Project: Website: https://placeliteracy.orgDevorah Block: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devorah-blockTo learn more about Tanisha – visit here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tanishaa Website: www.conceptculture.co Twitter: @tanisha.rr Instagram: @tanisha.rrTo learn more about Talking Place – visit here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/talking-place-podcast Website: https://www.conceptculture.co/talking-place-podcast Instagram: @talkingplacepodcast X (Twitter): @tppodcast_ Bluesky: @talkingplace TikTok: @talkingplacepodcastTo learn more about Concept Culture – visit here:Sign up for the Talking Place newsletter here:https://mailchi.mp/conceptculture/newslettersignup LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/concept-culture-uk Website: www.conceptculture.co Twitter: @_conceptculture Instagram: @_conceptcultureSupport 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

In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin is joined by George Kekatos, Cultural Director at Futurecity, to explore the role of culture in shaping cities, from policy to placemaking.Together, they unpack how cultural strategy can transform the built environment, unlock value and creativity in urban development, and build bridges between artists and developers.From George’s roots in Athens to his work in London and beyond, this conversation is a powerful reminder that culture isn’t just an add-on - it’s foundational to meaningful place creation.🎨 Discover:Why “culture isn’t decoration—it’s the heartbeat of a place”The power of culture to drive sustainability, social value, and regenerationHow Futurecity turns cultural strategy into actionThe stories behind transformative mean while projects like Seed 130 Gallery in the City of LondonWhy developers and artists need each other (and how to bridge the gap between them)George’s call for cities to value artists as economic drivers, not just creativesWhether you’re an urban planner, artist, developer, or culture-lover, this episode will change how you see art and culture in the places and cities around you.📍 Join us as we ‘talk place’.🔗 Links & Mentions:Learn more about Futurecity: Website: https://www.futurecity.co.uk Instagram: @futurecity_london Seed 130: https://www.seed130.co.uk George Kekatos: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-kekatos-7a21a5159/To learn more about Tanisha – visit here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tanishaa Website: www.conceptculture.co Twitter: @tanisha.rr Instagram: @tanisha.rrTo learn more about Talking Place – visit here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/talking-place-podcast Website: https://www.conceptculture.co/talking-place-podcast Instagram: @talkingplacepodcast X (Twitter): @tppodcast_ Bluesky: @talkingplace TikTok: @talkingplacepodcastTo learn more about Concept Culture – visit here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/concept-culture-uk Website: www.conceptculture.co Twitter: @_conceptculture Instagram: @_conceptcultureSupport 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

In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin sits down with Philip Atkinson and Llinos Hughes from Orbit Architects to explore the real-world impact (and joy!) of transforming existing buildings.Together, they explore how creative design thrives not despite, but because of, constraints, and why retrofit is a necessity for shaping the future of our cities.Philip and Llinos share Orbit’s nearly exclusive focus on transforming existing buildings - working across hospitality, workplace, student accommodation, and residential sectors. With over 20 years in practice, they reflect on how adapting and reimagining old structures leads to more sustainable, context-aware, and community-rooted design.Discover:Why people, not form, are at the heart of every successful placeHow Orbit champions retrofit-first thinking - from heritage restoration to creative reuse of space to unlock valueWhy constraints breed creativity and challenge architects to think deeperThe stories behind retrofit projects such as 68 King William Street and The BoTree HotelHow Orbit built a diverse and collaborative studio culture - organicallyOrbit’s work champions local material reuse, low-carbon strategies, and community-first design, demonstrating that retrofit isn’t just about compromise; it’s a creative act. 🔹 Join us as we ‘talk place’.Sign up for the Talking Place newsletter here:https://mailchi.mp/conceptculture/newslettersignupTo learn more about Orbit – visit here:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orbit-architects/Website:https://www.orbitarchitects.com/Twitter: @orbitarchitectsInstagram: @orbitarchitectsTo learn more about Tanisha – visit here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tanishaa Website: www.conceptculture.co Twitter: @tanisha.rr Instagram: @tanisha.rrTo learn more about Talking Place – visit here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/talking-place-podcast Website: https://www.conceptculture.co/talking-place-podcast Instagram: @talkingplacepodcast X (Twitter): @tppodcast_ Bluesky: @talkingplace TikTok: @talkingplacepodcastTo learn more about Concept Culture – visit here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/concept-culture-uk Website: www.conceptculture.co Twitter: @_conceptculture Instagram: @_conceptcultureSupport 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

In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin heads to the Festival of Place 2025, live from Boxpark Wembley, to uncover the bold ideas, honest reflections, and emerging practices shaping the future of placemaking.Framed around themes of equity, wellbeing, and intergenerational living, this special episode explores what happens when we move beyond performative placemaking and start designing with purpose, people, and justice at the core.From reimagining housing for older people to building feminist cities, and from measuring wellbeing with flourishing indices to unlocking community-driven sustainability, this episode is packed with provocation, possibility, and practical imagination.You’ll hear reflections on co-design, planning frustrations, placemaking buzzwords (we secretly love), and what a thriving neighborhood might actually look like in 2030 according to the architects, developers, policymakers, and rebels making it happen.Whether you’re rethinking housing systems or just wondering how we build places where everyone belongs, this conversation challenges us all to be bolder, braver, and more inclusive in how we shape the world around us.Join us as we ‘Talk Place’A huge thank you to our guests: Simon Beck, Related Argent Jude Leighton, United Saviour’s Street Charity Charlotte Miller, Intergenerational England Sem Lee, Ouri Labs Imandeep Kaur, Civic Square Zoe Berman, Part W Ayo Abbas, Abbas Marketing Blossom, Poplar HARCA Sophie Trotman, Notting Hill Genesis Ramsey Yassa, Nooma Studio Soham De, Eco Responsive DesignTo learn more about Tanisha – visit here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tanishaa Website: www.conceptculture.co Twitter: @tanisha.rr Instagram: @tanisha.rrTo learn more about Talking Place – visit here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/talking-place-podcast Website: https://www.conceptculture.co/talking-place-podcast Instagram: @talkingplacepodcast X (Twitter): @tppodcast_ Bluesky: @talkingplace TikTok: @talkingplacepodcastTo learn more about Concept Culture – visit here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/concept-culture-uk Website: www.conceptculture.co Twitter: @_conceptculture Instagram: @_conceptcultureSupport 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

In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin is joined by not one, but two incredible guests, Rumi Bose, urban designer and place shaping consultant , and Palak Jhunjhunwala, architect and co-founder of Beyond Design. Together they unpack what it means to move beyond “tick-box consultation” and deliver authentic, meaningful co-design.From transforming Peveril Gardens in southeast London to a community hub, to creating a sustainable action plan for the Neasden Town Centre in northwest London, to developing a culturally rooted masterplan for a tyre manufacturing plant in India, Tanisha, Rumi, and Palak explore what it takes to build trust, create shared ownership, and tell richer stories of place. They share powerful reflections on centering local knowledge, respecting history, and working with “enlightened clients” to embed equity, empathy and sustainability into every layer of a project.The conversation also touches on the challenges and opportunities of co-design, including what happens when there’s not enough time or budget, and how to manage expectations while still aiming for impact.Whether you’re a planner, designer, developer, policymaker or community leader, this episode will leave you inspired to reimagine engagement and see co-design as a mindset, not just a methodology.Join us as we Talk Place.Sign up for the Talking Place newsletter here:https://mailchi.mp/conceptculture/newslettersignupTo learn more about Rumi – visit here:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rumi-bose-0386a41a/To learn more about Palak – visit here:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/palakj/To learn more about Tanisha – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tanishaaWebsite: www.conceptculture.coTwitter: @tanisha.rrInstagram: @tanisha.rrTo learn more about Talking Place – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/talking-place-podcastWebsite: www.conceptculture.co/talking-placeInstagram: @talkingplacepodcastX: @tppodcast_Bluesky: @talkingplaceTikTok: @talkingplacepodcastTo learn more about Concept Culture – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/concept-culture-ukWebsite: www.conceptculture.coTwitter: @_conceptcultureInstagram: @_conceptcultureSupport 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

In this episode of Talking Place, Clare —urban health campaigner, housing expert, and founder of Listen 2 Locals—joins host Tanisha Raffiuddin to explore the powerful connection between public health and the places we design, live in, and spend our everyday lives. Clare shares how her work in housing, architecture, and healthcare led her to campaign for more equitable and health-creating urban environments. Drawing on her collaborations with the Institute of Health Equity and insights from Sir Michael Marmot’s groundbreaking research on the principles to deliver ‘Marmot Places’, Clare unpacks the structural inequalities baked into the built environment—and how we can begin to shift them.The conversation explores why 85% of our health outcomes are shaped by where and how we live, and what it means to design places that prevent illness, reduce stress, and promote joy and connection. Clare introduces bold ideas for the future, including more accessible Health Impact Assessments, a ‘Build for Health’, framework to create health rather than cure it, and the power of storytelling in public health advocacy.Whether you’re a planner, developer, public health practitioner, or place-based strategist, this episode offers essential reflections on why building for health is the next frontier of city-making.Join us as we ‘Talk Place’.💡 Learn more about the ideas mentioned in this episode:🔗 Marmot Places: https://www.instituteofhealthequity.org/taking-action/marmot-places📘 Health is Made at Home, Hospitals are for Repairs by Lord Nigel Crisp: Buy the Book📝 Claire’s writing: Listen 2 LocalsTo learn more about Clare – visit here:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claredelmar/?originalSubdomain=ukTo learn more about Tanisha – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tanishaa Website: www.conceptculture.co Twitter: @tanisha.rr Instagram: @tanisha.rrTo learn more about Talking Place – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/talking-place-podcast Website: www.conceptculture.co/talking-place Instagram: @talkingplacepodcast X: @tppodcast_ Bluesky: @talkingplace TikTok: @talkingplacepodcastTo learn more about Concept Culture – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/concept-culture-uk Website: www.conceptculture.co Twitter: @_conceptculture Instagram: @_conceptcultureSupport 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

In this special solo episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin, Creative Director of Concept Culture, shares her reflections from the inaugural SXSW London 2025—a bold and buzzing fusion of tech, culture, design, and storytelling.As a festival known for its intersectional approach, SXSW’s arrival in London was more than a cultural moment—it was a lens into what the future of place might look like when the creative economy meets public space, policy, and innovation.Through keynotes by global icons like Jane Goodall, Idris Elba, Sam Ryder, Björn Ulvaeus, and Wyclef Jean, Tanisha unpacks how imagination, equity, technology, and authenticity are reshaping how we design and experience place.Key Themes:Place as more than physical—it's emotional, immersive, and digitalCulture as essential civic infrastructureTechnology that feels and listens, not just scalesIntersectionality as a driver of meaningful innovationStorytelling as a foundational tool for place identityFeatured Mentions & Quotes:🗣 “If we lose hope, we become apathetic.” – Jane Goodall🧠 “Your imagination is expensive.” – Idris Elba🎶 “Authenticity is not a trend. It’s a survival strategy.” – Sam Ryder🧬 “AI is an extension of your mind.” – Björn Ulvaeus🔥 “Don’t compromise your roots.” – Wyclef Jean📚 “You can’t fool Wikipedians.” – Jimmy WalesConnect with us:Concept Culture: www.conceptculture.coTalking Place Instagram: @talkingplacepodcastTanisha on LinkedIn: Tanisha RaffiuddinTanisha’s Instagram: @tanisha.rrEmail: [email protected] 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

In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin heads to UKREiiF 2025 in Leeds to hear directly from the voices shaping the future of our built environment.Framed around one powerful question—“What does the place of the future look like?”—this special edition of ‘REiiFlections’ gathers insights from across the public, private, cultural, and development sectors.From democratic housing models and funding reform, to culture-led regeneration and shifting power to local communities, this episode captures the energy and urgency behind the ideas that could transform the way we live, build, and belong.The result is a rich, thought-provoking tapestry of perspectives on collaboration, equity, affordability, and design justice—all grounded in real-world experience.Whether you're an architect, planner, policymaker, developer, artist, or activist, this conversation challenges you to rethink how we shape the places we call home—and who gets to shape them.Join us as we ‘Talk Place’.A huge thank you to our guests:Anthea Harries, Related ArgentSarah James, West of England Combined AuthorityLaura Dyer, Arts Council EnglandSelina Mason, LendleaseKristofer Adelaide, Kristofer Adelaide ArchitectDavid Skaith, Mayor of York and North YorkshireSara Wajid, Birmingham Museums TrustAndrea Mills-Taylor, Bradford CouncilAndrea Carpenter, Diversity Talks Real EstateDavid Lomax, Waugh Thistleton ArchitectsKelly Hillman, Vistry GroupSaul Collyns, British LandManisha Patel, KPK StudioChitra Marsh, ButtressSupport 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

In this episode of Talking Place, Rosa Rogina, Director of the London Festival of Architecture (LFA), joins host Tanisha Raffiuddin to explore the evolving role of city wide architecture festivals in shaping inclusive, responsive, and people-centered cities.Rosa shares her journey from architecture student in Croatia to curating one of the world’s largest citywide architecture festivals in London. With a background in research, teaching, and curation, Rosa discusses how architecture is more than just buildings—it’s about activating the public realm, celebrating difference, and listening to the diverse voices that make a city thrive.Discover how the LFA continues to evolve as a collaborative platform that connects communities, challenges norms, and fosters experimentation—from performative events and pop-up benches to citywide storytelling. Rosa also reflects on the emotional layers of place, her love for the Island of Rab in Croatia, and why disagreement should be embraced in the design process.Whether you're a designer, policymaker, student, or urban enthusiast, this conversation offers powerful insights into how cities can be shaped by and for the people who inhabit them.Join us as we ‘Talk Place’.Support 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

In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin sits down with Cllr. Kemi Akinola, the Deputy Leader of Wandsworth Council, to explore how culture, placemaking, and community-led leadership are shaping the future of one of London’s most dynamic boroughs.From tackling food insecurity to investing in youth, the Deputy Leader shares her unique journey from grassroots activism to political leadership, offering insight into how local government can serve as a catalyst for genuine community transformation. As Wandsworth begins its tenure as London Borough of Culture 2025, Cllr Akinola reflects on how cultural investment can foster inclusion, creativity, and pride, making places that truly belong to everyone.The conversation touches on community ownership of the built environment, fair access to housing, good landlord certifications and licences and why culture must go beyond performances and events to embed itself meaningfully in the life of a borough. Cllr Akinola's vision for Wandsworth is one where fairness, access, and community voices are placed at the heart of regeneration and growth.Whether you're working in local government, development, placemaking, or cultural programming, or simply interested in how culture and politics intersect to shape better places, this episode offers real-world insights into building fairer, more vibrant communities from the ground up.Join us as we ‘talk place’.Support 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

In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin sits down with Frances Heeney, Director of Product Development at Principal Asset Management, to explore how finance, sustainability, and placemaking intersect to shape the future of our communities.With a global career spanning EMEA, the Americas, and APAC, Frances brings a wealth of experience in business development, client relations, and real estate assets. She shares her journey through the world of asset management and capital raising, offering perspective on how places can be treated not just as physical spaces, but as long-term investments in collective wellbeing.Frances speaks candidly about aligning financial tools with community needs, the power of urban planning, and the potential for finance to drive meaningful, sustainable impact. While her views are her own and not on behalf of Principal Asset Management, her insights reflect the kind of forward-thinking leadership needed in today’s evolving financial and urban landscapes.She also guides us through the shifting approach of investors in the realm of real estate, how data centres are the new lucrative ventures.Whether you’re working in finance, policy, urban design, or are simply curious about how money moves through the places we live, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in building better futures through smarter, more inclusive investment strategies.Join us as we ‘talk place’.Support 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

In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin sits down with Marsha Ramroop, an inclusion strategist and author of the groundbreaking book ‘Building Inclusion’, to explore the critical intersections of place, diversity, and the human experience.Marsha shares her remarkable journey from a 30-year career in broadcasting to becoming a leading voice in equity, diversity, and inclusion within the built environment. With infectious passion and clarity, she unpacks complex concepts like diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural intelligence, breaking down how we can create truly inclusive spaces and societies.Discover how meaningful change happens when we listen to unheard voices, challenge our assumptions, and take personal responsibility for inclusive behaviours. From the transformative design of the Elizabeth Line to insights from her work across sectors, Marsha offers a compelling vision of placemaking that centers on human dignity and collective potential.Drawing from her personal experiences and professional expertise, Marsha challenges the traditional notion of 'placemaking', advocating instead for place enabling – an approach that prioritises community voices and collaborative design.Whether you're an architect, urban planner, community advocate, or simply interested in how our built environments shape human experience, this conversation offers profound insights into creating more equitable, accessible, and meaningful places.Join us as we ‘Talk Place’.Support 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

In this episode of Talking Place, Jay Morton, director of Bell Phillips Architects, sits down with our host Tanisha Raffiuddin to explore the intersection of architecture, community, and social change.Jay shares her journey from Part II architect to Director over 12 years at Bell Philips, a practice known for its moral compass and resident-led design. Discover how meaningful engagement happens when architects abandon jargon and truly listen to communities, as demonstrated in their award-winning Marklake Court project.From the tranquility of Hampstead Heath to the vibrant history of Deptford High Street, Jay reflects on London's special places and advocates for child-friendly, people-centered urban design. As a self-proclaimed "political geek" and campaigner for affordable housing, Jay challenges architects to "make more noise" and engage with politics to create better places for all.Whether you're an architect, planner, community advocate or simply interested in how our built environment shapes our lives, this conversation offers valuable insights into the future of placemaking.Join us as we ‘Talk Place’. Support 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

In this episode, Max Farrell, founder of the LDN Collective, sits down with our host Tanisha Raffiuddin to dive into the powerful role communities play in shaping sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban spaces. Max explains why understanding the needs, dreams, and challenges of local residents is crucial for successful urban design. He highlights why it is important to bring them into the conversation early on right from the briefing stage, and include them as a part of the design team along the way as part of a bottom-up approach to urban planning and development. He also highlights how housing should be considered critical infrastructure that sits at the heart of social issues, from education to health and why we collectively as an industry and the government should double down on addressing.Do not miss this engaging conversation on how putting communities first is the key to building better, more inclusive places.Join us as we ‘Talk Place’. Support 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

Place branding expert Dr. Giannina Warren joins our host Tanisha Raffiuddin in a conversation about the importance of place branding in placemaking and development, how place branding can be leveraged to change people’s perception of a place, and its role as a strategic tool to unlock the true potential of places.As the creator of the world’s first MA in place branding at Middlesex University London, Giannina is a pioneer in the field. Now based in Ho Chi Minh City, she continues to make an impact as Senior Program Manager in the School of Communication & Design department at the prestigious RMIT University. This episode is packed with invaluable insights from one of the most respected voices in place branding. If you are ready to learn how place branding can go far beyond just making money and making a positive impact on society, do not miss this inspiring conversation. Join us as we ‘Talk Place’. Support 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