Affairs
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Viennese vision
Maria Vassilakou, Vienna’s former deputy mayor, crosses Mariahilferstrasse, the road she transformed from traffic‑clogged chaos into a pedestrian boulevard. The campaign reshaped urban life and elevated her into political stardom.
Tokyo artist Ken Sobajima is cleaning up Shibuya’s graffiti, one wall at a time
Clean and Art is helping to keep Tokyo’s streets free from graffiti. Monocle joins the team restoring order to the urban landscape.
Prime movers
The idea of changing a city for the better might be daunting but individuals with vision and initiative can make a meaningful difference.
Sowing the seeds
In Berlin’s lively Neukölln district, Spore House blends modesty with warmth, its floor‑to‑ceiling windows revealing airy interiors filled with vibrant art, greenery, a welcoming café, and plush seating—anchoring the Spore Initiative since April.
The balance of shine and grime: A snapshot of life in Jiangjin
Must-read stories and ones you may have missed. James Chambers on Shenzhen's clean surface and the grit underneath.
District nursing
Chadchart Sittipunt, Bangkok’s visionary governor, is using his position to root out corruption and clean up the Thai capital.
Living the dream in Monocle’s fantasy city
We’ve gathered 25 ideas from our far-flung travels to entertain as well as to nudge readers, architects, entrepreneurs and developers to delve deeper into what makes their cities tick.
The Opener
Tyler Brûlé ponders the absence of North American cities in this year’s Quality of Life Survey.
Quality time
With cities blooming under spring sunshine, it’s time to assess global urban initiatives as this year’s liveability index is unveiled, highlighting municipal patrons boosting their towns—discover where your city ranks in the results.
From Damascus to Aleppo, Syria courts visitors in the midst of its rebuild
Syria's ancient capital Damascus beckons intrepid travellers despite years of civil war, offering glimpses of enduring beauty amid the watchful gaze of an authoritarian state.
