Bristol Medical School have assembled a singularly impressive research team who together span comprehensively the wide range of disciplines required to tackle this complex ‘wicked’ challenge of ill-health prevention through the creation of healthier urban environments. It is encouraging to see experts in public health and systems thinking brought together with those from urban development, corporate governance, law and economics: this broad, interdisciplinary and upstream focus is essential o unlock these messy systemic issues. The unusual and extensive real world and policy-making experience within the research team is equally impressive and particularly encouraging in terms of potential for impact.