E27: Shaping Bradford: Heritage, Housing, and the Hard Yards of Regeneration

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