Talking Place

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 show

To learn more about host Tanisha Raffiuddin:

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tanisharaffiuddin/
• Website: www.conceptculture.co
• Instagram: @tanisha.rr

To learn more about Talking Place:

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/talking-place-podcast
• Website: www.conceptculture.co/talking-place-podcast
• Instagram: @talkingplacepodcast
• Bluesky: @talkingplace
• TikTok: @talkingplacepodcast

To learn more about Concept Culture:

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/concept-culture-uk
• Website: www.conceptculture.co

Sign 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 show

To learn more about host Tanisha Raffiuddin:

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tanisharaffiuddin/
• Website: www.conceptculture.co
• Instagram: @tanisha.rr

To learn more about Talking Place:

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/talking-place-podcast
• Website: www.conceptculture.co/talking-place-podcast
• Instagram: @talkingplacepodcast
• Bluesky: @talkingplace
• TikTok: @talkingplacepodcast

To learn more about Concept Culture:

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/concept-culture-uk
• Website: www.conceptculture.co

Sign 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 show

To learn more about host Tanisha Raffiuddin:

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tanisharaffiuddin/
• Website: www.conceptculture.co
• Instagram: @tanisha.rr

To learn more about Talking Place:

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/talking-place-podcast
• Website: www.conceptculture.co/talking-place-podcast
• Instagram: @talkingplacepodcast
• Bluesky: @talkingplace
• TikTok: @talkingplacepodcast

To learn more about Concept Culture:

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/concept-culture-uk
• Website: www.conceptculture.co

Sign 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 show

To learn more about host Tanisha Raffiuddin:

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tanisharaffiuddin/
• Website: www.conceptculture.co
• Instagram: @tanisha.rr

To learn more about Talking Place:

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/talking-place-podcast
• Website: www.conceptculture.co/talking-place-podcast
• Instagram: @talkingplacepodcast
• Bluesky: @talkingplace
• TikTok: @talkingplacepodcast

To learn more about Concept Culture:

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/concept-culture-uk
• Website: www.conceptculture.co

Sign 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 show

To learn more about host Tanisha Raffiuddin:

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tanisharaffiuddin/
• Website: www.conceptculture.co
• Instagram: @tanisha.rr

To learn more about Talking Place:

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/talking-place-podcast
• Website: www.conceptculture.co/talking-place-podcast
• Instagram: @talkingplacepodcast
• Bluesky: @talkingplace
• TikTok: @talkingplacepodcast

To learn more about Concept Culture:

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/concept-culture-uk
• Website: www.conceptculture.co

Sign Up to Our Newsletter — mailchi.mp/conceptculture/newslettersignup