The Urbanist
Monocle’s guide to better cities. Explore urban innovation, cutting-edge infrastructure, and compact living with insights from planners, architects, and city leaders.
Latest Episodes
How New York plans to reimagine its famous Fifth Avenue and its bus system
We speak with Madelyn Wils, who is heading up an overhaul of Fifth Avenue, and New York transportation commissioner Mike Flynn about rethinking bus transit. Plus: Alison Donnally from JoeyCo on live-work arrangements.
Tall Stories 523: The multipurpose magic of Hong Kong’s HSBC Building
Tomas Pinheiro takes us to a Hong Kong tower built for banking that now plays many different roles for the city’s residents.
How an all-women team reimagined condo design in Toronto
We speak to Heather Rolleston from BDP Quadrangle about the firm’s recent condo development in Toronto, which was brought about by an all-women team. Plus: architect Shimul Javeri Kadri explains the idea of “storytelling architecture”.
Tall Stories 522: Why is Turku Castle so important to the Finnish?
Petri Burtsoff takes us to Finland’s oldest building, which has become a symbol for Finns and is one of the most visited sights in the country to this day.
How to build a city? Focus on quality of life
Journalist and author Gabriella Bennett discusses her recent book ‘How To Build A City: Journeys into the Urban Future’. Plus: we take a dip at the Swimmable Cities European Forum in Basel.
Tall Stories 521: The murky future of Vancouver’s Kitsilano Pool
Gregory Scruggs takes us to Vancouver’s Kitsilano Pool, a saltwater bathing spot whose future is uncertain due to its desperate need for refurbishment.
Finding a home for The Beatles’ Abbey Road crossing and London’s Museum of Youth Culture
We look at the new home for London’s Museum of Youth Culture, a Chicago collective who embeds cultural venues into neighbourhoods and traffic solutions for The Beatles’ Abbey Road crossing.
Tall Stories 520: Vienna’s art nouveau Tennisclub SV Schwarz-Blau
Alexei Korolyov takes us to one of Vienna’s most architecturally stunning tennis clubs.
Designing a modern library that is relevant to people and place
We review a new library project in Oregon, learn about a system helping Swedish city-dwellers share and find out how to build sticky neighbourhoods.
Tall Stories 519: Exploring Caracas’ panoramic Humboldt Hotel
Gustavo Ocando Alex tells us the story of Hotel Humboldt, which sits on the northern hills of Caracas.
