Editor’s letter
Tyler Brûlé on what attributes are necessary for a city to top our Quality of Life Survey.The opener
Why frazzled American tourists order fries to go, plus a very Australian political grilling.Odd squad
A city’s quirks can often beguile us more than its falling crime rate or fine trams. We list our favourite idiosyncrasies from around the world.Street smarts
New York Public Library is reviving a classic: the mobile library last seen on the city’s roads more than 30 years ago. The Bookmobile’s wheels are set to roll and, with the help of a friendly lion, it’s already winning over young fans.Puppy power
Even the fiercest dogs start life as cuddly puppies. But at Hong Kong’s police-dog training centre, every game has a purpose: to prepare canines for a life of sniffing luggage, searching vehicles and fighting crime.If you build it
The world’s largest construction trade fair might not strike many as a likely destination for a fun day out but Bauma is attracting revellers to Bavaria in droves. We don lederhosen, munch bratwurst and join the crane spotters.My cabinet
Meet the team with a burning desire to protect Kyoto’s Kiyomizu-dera temple.Cosy corner
The co-founder and publisher of Vienna’s foremost news and reviews magazine likes to dodge the crowds in the city’s public parks.Quality of Life Survey
Our annual Quality of Life rundown – where does your city rank?
How to be a good citizen
Authorities set the tone but it’s residents that define the places they live in. So what can we do to improve the urban realm?Executive revision
Some cities are shedding unwanted legacies while others cater to 18 million visitors per year, only to see some of the income generated by tourists ending up elsewhere. We meet five mayors facing the challenges – and making the tough decisions – that will define the future of their cities.Doctor feelgood
Roof gardens, natural light, green space – how three health centres are tackling modern healthcare challenges.Perfect fix
Cows on the loose? Canals used as dumps? Urban life can throw up some unique – and bizarre – challenges. Meet the people charged with fixing gritty problems in our cities.City secrets
Seek high and low, in tunnels and along elevated walkways, and you’ll find that there are fascinating stories in every city. Here we take a look at some of our favourite tales from around the globe, originally brought to you by the team behind Monocle 24’s ‘The Urbanist’.Europe Briefing
Food markets in Turin, green (and sleek) transit infrastructure in Tilburg and Oslo’s public art biennial.Americas Briefing
Housing in Boston gets dense, Bogotá transport takes to the skies and a book reconsiders the suburbs.Asia/Pacific briefing
Hong Kong’s anticipated sports park, Utsunomiya LRT is on track, and boosting business in Perth.Africa/Middle East briefing
Regeneration in Tehran, Swiss-sponsored bike lanes in Beirut and a park transformation in Johannesburg.
Lively hubs
City life needn’t be an over-priced, overwhelming drudge; look closely and there are richer options to be had at a lower cost. We explore three bases for work that also excel at rest and play.Nuts and bolts
Cities don’t just happen; assembly is required. But the inner workings of urban development are often hidden. We meet the makers and architects doing the heavy lifting.Business and pleasure
They shouldn’t be mixed, right? Wrong. But what can we do to make offices more appealing without making them full of bean bags and silly slides? These HQs have the balance right.Business Briefing
Rabat’s runway, a food firm cutting back on waste and the footwear company that’s still a step ahead.
Play it cool
We visit the cities making space for people (of all ages) to get out and about and have some fun.Close to home
A life’s worth of travelling informs this South Tyrolean haunt – but it finds inspiration on its doorstep too.Sea change
Israel’s third city is defined by its port but its urbanist mayor is helping to build a smarter future.Architecture briefing
Denmark’s longest timber building has been rebuilt and the Pavilion Le Corbusier reopens.
Open house
A Tokyo community centre with food at its heart is helping to nourish the whole neighbourhood.Packing a punch
Summer is the season to invite your friends and neighbours over for an alfresco appointment and enjoy the ultimate social sharing drink. Follow our fun fruity recipes below for some lively twists on a classic.Food & drink briefing
A sharp chopping bowl and restaurants from London to Hong Kong (via Izmir).Christoph Niemann
The illustrator and artist discusses food in his work, his talent for frying and the German capital’s gentrification – and doodles a quick portrait with the help of some salt and pepper, of course.
Flex time
Stretch your sports style beyond the functional and feel the burn of these go-faster brands.Arch rival
When it comes to orthopaedic comfort shoes, there’s a new German contender stepping up.Still head over heels
As creative director of Hermès shoes, Pierre Hardy oversees a major part of the luxury brand’s €6bn-a-year empire. And while the footwear superstar is comfortable with the trainer’s market dominance, he’ll never step away from his more refined – and desired – designs.Happy place
Womenswear designer Rabih Kayrouz gives us a tour of his serene new boutique, housed in a fantastical 19th-century mansion.Fashion Briefing
This month’s fashion must-knows, from straw hats to swimmers and sandals.
Destination: Basel
Thirty years ago the already polluted Rhine turned red after a chemical spill. Now cleaned up, the stretch through Basel has been revitalised to become a conduit for commuters, sunbathers and spritzes.Destination: Turin
You can track the best of Turin along its waterways, whether it’s the spritely early-morning rowers or the late-night revellers carousing at the resurgent Murazzi. Explore and experience the aqua vita.Destination: Brisbane
Brisbane River is a gravitational force for the Queensland capital’s splash-happy and active residents. From kayaking to cooling off by its banks, there’s plenty to do along this winding waterway.Kit for purpose
The great outdoors has its minor niggles but these trusty allies will spare you.Destination: Vienna
From the river refuge of Alte Donau to the buzzy bars and restaurants that line the Danube Canal, the city waters have become a focal point for the Viennese. Clothing optional.Destination: Bordeaux
After decades of decline, a museum celebrating the French city’s love of wine, markets offering fresh seafood and canny commercial investment have transformed the once-seedy banks of the Garonne.Destination: Perth
Explorers and residents alike have become besotted with Perth’s Swan River. So how has it retained its status as the city’s focal point? With good planning, a love of water sports and an appreciation of nature.
Blacklane
MonocleAn unparalleled experience
Global chauffeur and airport concierge service Blacklane elevates the chauffeur experience to the level of craftsmanship, bringing a sense of humanity back into travel – one ride at a time.
In 2011, Jens Wohltorf and Frank Steuer started Blacklane after they realised that there was a need for a reliable and global professional chauffeur service. Over the years the business has grown from a two-person operation in Berlin to an international brand operating in 300-plus cities from London to Los Angeles, and with offices from Singapore to Brisbane.
Blacklane’s chauffeurs deliver thousands of passengers door to door each and every day. Chauffeurs begin by putting on a crisp suit and checking flight and road conditions – then they make sure that the car is impeccable and ready for the first guests of the day. They know when a guest would like to talk and when it would be best to drive in silence. Making a booking is a simple, speedy and reliable process – rates are all-inclusive and there is a complimentary waiting time of 60 minutes at airports.
The fleet offers four service classes: Green, Business, Van/SUV and First Class. Expect your chauffeur to pick you up in a polished Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Cadillac, Audi or similar. And Blacklane’s service doesn’t stop at getting guests from one place to the next in comfort: it’s also about creating tailored experiences and delivering hassle-free transfers. Blacklane’s chauffeurs are handpicked and know their home turf inside out, so you can expect to be driven by a local who will show you the best places to visit, shop and dine along the way.
Haris, London.
Haris has been a professional chauffeur for 15 years and began driving for Blacklane five years ago. What he likes best about his job is “the mystery that awaits you every day; that is what gets me excited and motivated”. One of his favourite routes is driving along Chelsea Embankment but he avoids it at rush hour. Haris always knows what streets to bypass to get his clients to their destination promptly.
TOP tip for london: “I absolutely love Richmond Park. There are deer there – it is quite a surprise to people.”
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Julie, LA.
Los Angeles is Julie’s adopted hometown and she’s been a chauffeur for Blacklane since 2017. “The human connections are the best thing about the job,” she says. “I once drove a family who were taking their daughter to college. There were tears and I was able to comfort the mother. You get to share life experiences with people.”
TOP tip for LA: “I encourage people to eat the neighbourhood cuisine, including tacos, burgers, BBQ or pastries. They will enjoy great food and have an authentic LA experience.”
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Jay, Sydney.
“Being a great chauffeur means knowing everything about a guest’s trip, including their flight time. I am part of their journey and that’s a good feeling,” says Jay, who has been in the business for six years and joined Blacklane four-and-a-half years ago. “If I’m going to North Sydney I always go along Harbour Bridge so the guest can see the Opera House.”
TOP tip for Sydney: “Go to Chinatown and the fish market, where you can eat the freshest seafood.”
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Blacklane’s global airport concierge service is available at 500 international airports. Your concierge will handle your luggage and escort you through priority check-in, security, fast-track immigration and customs upon arrival and at departure.
Download on iOS and Android — blacklane.com
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