Contributors
A selection of this issue’s creators.Ed’s letter
Andrew Tuck introduces the issue.The Opener
What’s on Monocle’s agenda for September, Algeria’s election and the Asian Nato.Puget Sound Pilots
The maritime experts navigating labyrinthine waterways in Washington State.Lorenzo Zurzolo
The young actor on stardom and Italy’s cinematic renaissance.L’Académie des Jeux Floraux
We meet the team preserving French poetry for the next generation.
Toyota Alphard
Wealthy Asian families love this high-end minivan – but why is it so popular?Affairs
Icebreaking in the Arctic, Rwanda’s aviation ambitions and 58 Polish “wolverines”.Directionless generation
Our reliance on smartphones is eroding our natural navigation skills.Business
How the tyre is going green, electric motorcycles in France and the Japanese hovercraft revival.Culture
The death of in-flight entertainment, roadtrips on paper and the cultural industrial revolution.Design & urbanism
The new Finnair lounge at Helsinki Airport, Japanese townhouses and more.
Move with the times
Technology, environmental concerns and global trade are rapidly changing the way we get around. Where are we headed?Bombardier
How the brand’s new Toronto manufacturing base is letting the light in.Farnborough Air Show
VR, hybrid aircraft and zero-emissions technology at one of the world’s most dazzling aeronautic displays.Ramon Ang
The Philippines’ infrastructure revolution has an unlikely architect.Sydney Metro
Australia’s ambitious public-transport plan is cutting commute times.Dacia
The Romanian car brand means a lot to Mioveni. We visit its factory to find out why.Medevac
The ÖAMTC was founded as an automobile and motorcycle club. Today it doesn’t just provide roadside assistance; it also saves lives by air.Ford Tourneo
How the American car brand’s vehicle is becoming the taxi of choice in Europe.Small cars
Size matters. We celebrate the most diminutive four-wheelers on the roads.Canyon
The German manufacturer peddling its best-in-class bikes to pros and amateurs alike.Flinc
A svelte Swiss cargo bike is lightening the load thanks to clever steel tubing.
Thai diplomacy
Is neutrality coming to an end as politicians look to put Thailand back on the map?Brussels vs the car
In an effort to make the Belgian capital more liveable, many of its central streets have been pedestrianised. But not everyone is in step.Drive time radio
We tune in to the dulcet voices shepherding drivers worldwide on essential daily journeys.Sol Calero
The Caracas-born artist on space, organisation, and her pavilion at this year’s Biennale.Culture Cuts
The most titillating things to watch, read and listen to as summer slips into autumn.The Monocle Express
In search of the perfect train? Our attempt is certainly on the right track...Swiss embassies
Diplomatic design displays in Switzerland’s Singapore, London and Havana outposts.Sara Zewde
The landscape architect on why the discipline is much more than a “nice to have”.Adrian Joffe
Paris deserves its first Dover Street Market, says the prime retail outlet’s president.Tuscany manufacturing
How LVMH is nurturing the makers that bring luxury products to life.Fashion
Sturdy gear for life on the go.Menswear
With breezy platforms requiring another layer or two, here’s what to wear this season.
Tomales Bay
San Francisco’s tech workers are ditching the city in favour of creative careers on the shore.New openings & Tech Corner
Hospitality hits, from a ritzy deli in Comporta to food hall in a disused waterworks. Plus: gadgets for life on the go.Schloss Fuschl
Has this old hunting lodge become Salzburg’s best bolthole? We check in to find out.The Lithuanian Song Celebration
We do our vocal warm-ups and visit the Baltic state for the centenary edition of a melodious event that keeps the nation singing from the same hymn sheet.
Issue 176
September 2024
Mobility special
At the front
Contributors
A selection of this issue’s creators.Ed’s letter
Andrew Tuck introduces the issue.The Opener
What’s on Monocle’s agenda for September, Algeria’s election and the Asian Nato.Puget Sound Pilots
The maritime experts navigating labyrinthine waterways in Washington State.Lorenzo Zurzolo
The young actor on stardom and Italy’s cinematic renaissance.L’Académie des Jeux Floraux
We meet the team preserving French poetry for the next generation.
The Agenda: Global briefings
Toyota Alphard
Wealthy Asian families love this high-end minivan – but why is it so popular?Affairs
Icebreaking in the Arctic, Rwanda’s aviation ambitions and 58 Polish “wolverines”.Directionless generation
Our reliance on smartphones is eroding our natural navigation skills.Business
How the tyre is going green, electric motorcycles in France and the Japanese hovercraft revival.Culture
The death of in-flight entertainment, roadtrips on paper and the cultural industrial revolution.Design & urbanism
The new Finnair lounge at Helsinki Airport, Japanese townhouses and more.
Mobility special
Move with the times
Technology, environmental concerns and global trade are rapidly changing the way we get around. Where are we headed?Bombardier
How the brand’s new Toronto manufacturing base is letting the light in.Farnborough Air Show
VR, hybrid aircraft and zero-emissions technology at one of the world’s most dazzling aeronautic displays.Ramon Ang
The Philippines’ infrastructure revolution has an unlikely architect.Sydney Metro
Australia’s ambitious public-transport plan is cutting commute times.Dacia
The Romanian car brand means a lot to Mioveni. We visit its factory to find out why.Medevac
The ÖAMTC was founded as an automobile and motorcycle club. Today it doesn’t just provide roadside assistance; it also saves lives by air.Ford Tourneo
How the American car brand’s vehicle is becoming the taxi of choice in Europe.Small cars
Size matters. We celebrate the most diminutive four-wheelers on the roads.Canyon
The German manufacturer peddling its best-in-class bikes to pros and amateurs alike.Flinc
A svelte Swiss cargo bike is lightening the load thanks to clever steel tubing.
Global views: Long reads
Thai diplomacy
Is neutrality coming to an end as politicians look to put Thailand back on the map?Brussels vs the car
In an effort to make the Belgian capital more liveable, many of its central streets have been pedestrianised. But not everyone is in step.Drive time radio
We tune in to the dulcet voices shepherding drivers worldwide on essential daily journeys.Sol Calero
The Caracas-born artist on space, organisation, and her pavilion at this year’s Biennale.Culture Cuts
The most titillating things to watch, read and listen to as summer slips into autumn.The Monocle Express
In search of the perfect train? Our attempt is certainly on the right track...Swiss embassies
Diplomatic design displays in Switzerland’s Singapore, London and Havana outposts.Sara Zewde
The landscape architect on why the discipline is much more than a “nice to have”.Adrian Joffe
Paris deserves its first Dover Street Market, says the prime retail outlet’s president.Tuscany manufacturing
How LVMH is nurturing the makers that bring luxury products to life.Fashion
Sturdy gear for life on the go.Menswear
With breezy platforms requiring another layer or two, here’s what to wear this season.
Inventory & Expo: Where to go, buy and eat
Tomales Bay
San Francisco’s tech workers are ditching the city in favour of creative careers on the shore.New openings & Tech Corner
Hospitality hits, from a ritzy deli in Comporta to food hall in a disused waterworks. Plus: gadgets for life on the go.Schloss Fuschl
Has this old hunting lodge become Salzburg’s best bolthole? We check in to find out.The Lithuanian Song Celebration
We do our vocal warm-ups and visit the Baltic state for the centenary edition of a melodious event that keeps the nation singing from the same hymn sheet.