Faced with the curses and blessings of gentrification, Porto’s mayor is renovating derelict buildings in the historic centre to create social housing and ensure the city does not lose its flair.

Cities are often seen as the flipside of nature: synthetic, sleek and sometimes a little bit impersonal. In fact, bringing elements of the wild into urban spaces has always been the hallmark of the well-thought-out city and innovative schemes are only on the rise, from a forest in the middle of the Thai capital to a private park in Geneva that was built to be given away.

Every city needs a leader – a reliable ruler to rally troops and respond to demands – but when his or her duties include diving into murky sewers, catching venomous snakes or working through the night, it can be tricky to find a taker. Here are five figures who aren’t afraid of a little – or a lot of – hard work.

What makes a busy city tick along? Here we outline some simple improvements we’d like to see shaping our metropolises into more inclusive places to live, from winding roads to rotating benches.

It isn’t as easy as some governments might suppose to build a metropolis from scratch with all the vibrancy of a city that has grown naturally. So here are three examples of cities from different periods of history that were built according to a specific plan – and have stood the test of time.

Urban roads and country highways may be getting more congested but there is light at the end of the tunnel. The epic business of taking transit underground is enjoying a technological boom and things are only getting bigger – and longer.

Like so many accidental entrepreneurs, Masataka Baba only started his business because no one was offering what he needed. Now, having turned dozens of Tokyo’s disused commercial buildings into rentable properties, his firm is looking further afield.

Thriving, thrusting media should be the heartbeat of a city; in the thick of it, asking the big questions and entertaining commuters and natives alike. Monocle visits three outlets that set the agendas for their cities in print and across the airwaves.

Running magazines are everywhere but few of them put long-form journalism before tips and product reviews. Runner Yuito Ueda has set out to change that with a periodical paced for the more thoughtful pavement pounder.

As artistic director at the Sydney Theatre Company, playwright Andrew Upton has helped pen a star part for the city’s iconic cultural institution. He talks to Monocle about what makes Sydney so special and why telling stories matters.

Architect Ridwan Kamil was an outsider when he stood for mayor in his hometown and remains idiosyncratic in office. Public space and design-minded attitude are his tools and his goal is nothing less than remaking his city’s civic culture.

Racing ahead of health resorts that stand on ceremony when it comes to exercise regimes and what to eat, our retreat gives guests a happy mix of gym classes, nutritious food and the Old Town’s card players and cobbled streets.

With a radical vision for the future of residential architecture, property developer Folkhem is building Sweden’s tallest wooden high-rises. The apartment blocks are chic, eco-friendly and quick to construct; they smell good, too.

From sleek fire stations and light-filled libraries to smart-looking bus shelters, residents and visitors to this South Tyrolean valley are reaping the rewards of an inspired, flexible approach to public architecture.

Whether it’s a farmer-friendly fruit-and-veg seller in Oslo, a modern-day concierge service on the streets of Paris or a rehabilitation programme-cum-grocery store in Hong Kong, these chivalrous ventures in bustling cities create careers, cohesion and community spirit.

Nothing beats the warm embrace of a bar or café and whether it’s a speakeasy in Singapore or a cosy Torinese institution, we have found the most welcoming ones across the globe.

Málaga's makeover, Poland's first openly gay mayor and Berlin's co-housing conundrum.

Drinking to San Antonio's success, on the buses in Curitiba and New York's small solution to a big problem.

Seoul's new performing-arts centre, sustainable architecture in Shanghai and Japan's efforts to fill empty houses.

Cape Town makes District Six a number-one priority, plus five things Beirut gets right.

North Queensland puts the "town" back in Townsville, Sydney signage and hurricane-resistant housing in Fiji.

An initiative letting US residents decide on the make-up of their high streets and a Swedish energy drink.

Sport and socialising are best combined. Monocle tried out three activities that value a friendly chat - and the odd beer - as highly as working up a sweat.

Spread across a basin in a picturesque peninsula surrounded by the sea, Athens offers its residents a choice of beaches to enjoy away from the hustle and bustle of the daily city grind. The views aren’t too shabby either.

The Helsinki Swimming Stadium, originally earmarked for the 1940 Olympic Games, is a winning attraction in the Finnish capital. An oasis among lush lawns and residents come for relaxation and training – after the compulsory jump, that is.

Located on Lake Zürich, Strandbad Wollishofen is a swimming spot that has stood the test of time, respecting its prewar design while meeting contemporary demands. Join the early-morning crowd or, come the evening, wine and dine.

From architects and chefs to writers and directors, our contributors consider what draws them to their favourite cities and what quality of life means to them.

Montréal’s Linton, Chateau and Acadia apartment buildings are beacons of historic grandeur among the surrounding modern blocks. Monocle takes the tour and finds homes that celebrate the city’s architectural heritage.

Whether it’s the hospitable feel of Madrid’s Conde Duque, the combination of old and new in Tel Aviv’s Neve Tzedek or the architectural assortment of Chapinero Alto in Bogotá, the opportunities presented by these three vibrant neighbourhoods make them places we’d gladly call home.

Reminiscing about an inviting café in Munich has been making Tyler Brûlé rather happy this month. The Bavarian capital, with its fine-tuned urban elements and buzzing businesses, is a prime example of a liveable city.