Urbanism
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Expo 35: Beirut
International architecture firms and boutique hotels are catching on to Beirut, the friendliest and most vibrant city in the Middle East. Discover a metropolis whose charm means it remains an exceptional place to live.
Americas
Mayor Bloomberg gives the go-ahead for a new park in New York, Brazil overhauls in libraries in a bid to address its social problems, and Canada goes scouting for new Scientific talent.
Neighbourhood Watch
From Dutch bread-making philanthropists to a pioneering food co-op in the heart of London, vernacular retail is thriving. Even an established supermarket giant is getting in on the local act.
Finnish beginning
Helsinki, the World Design Capital for 2012, is having a design renaissance. Officials, academics and designers are inspired to prove it isn’t stuck in the shade of its mid-century heritage.
Gehl force
Celebrated Danish architect Jan Gehl believes focusing city infrastructure on inhabitants' needs, not cars and concrete, improves quality of life. He advocates for a people-first approach to urban planning worldwide.
A man of the people
Minneapolis mayor RT Rybak has a unique brand of governing. He markets the city’s tap water, pushes food initiatives and believes in civic duty. Is this the model for America’s urban renaissance?
Europe
Copenhagen saddles up for the world's biggest urban cycling contest, Russia's "Silicon Valley" gets to live by its own rules, and Istanbul, the call to prayer becomes easier to the ear.
Go up market
Monocle meets the two visionaries who have shown that the fortunes of an entire neighbourhood can be transformed simply by setting up a weekly market selling local produce.
Asia
Portable farms from Japan, cash for babies in Taiwan, China and South Korea finally find something they can both agree on.
Civic slickers
The right mayor can reinvent and rejuvenate a city by boosting infrastructure, speeding integration and fostering the arts. For our cities special, we profile 10 of the freshest movers and shakers in urban politics.
