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
DNC, World Fair and taxi sharing
We hear from two mayors on the sidelines of the Democratic National Convention on how to better connect local authorities with state and federal government. Plus: we hitch a ride in Beirut’s taxi-sharing system and reflect on the fact that it’s been a year since the World Fair packed its…
Tall Stories 17: Madrid’s Torres Blancas
Built in the 1960s, Madrid’s eccentric Torres Blancas continues to rouse the imagination of the Spanish capital despite being closed off to a rather curious public.
Rio’s Olympic urban legacy
In this special episode of ‘The Urbanist’ we look at the highs and lows of Rio’s urban makeover, how the city will be seen during the Games and more importantly what will remain after the Olympic movement leaves town.
Tall Stories 16: Lisbon’s tram wires
Scratching the blue sky above Lisbon, the electrical wires of the iconic yellow trams show us how the city has evolved over the years.
Summer in the city
How does a city change when the sun shines? Be it balmy evenings in the park, dinner by the river or the sand between your toes, there’s something about a rise in temperature that just makes everyone that bit happier.
Tall Stories 15: The world at your feet
Look down at your feet with determination and you will see some of the most powerful city branding: well-worn pavements.
Keep on moving
We catch up with businesses “on the go”, from a travelling cinema in Vienna to the delicious food-truck craze in Paris. Plus: we hop on a houseboat in London that doubles as a record shop.
Tall Stories 14: A short walk through Shibuya
A short walk to school through Shibuya in Tokyo takes us past a coffee shop, a fishmonger and even prime minister Shinzo Abe’s street.
An ‘Urbanist’ melting pot
We report on some of the key issues that have been debated across conference rooms in the past few weeks: the impact that creative industries have in our cities at Music Cities Convention; the idea of a zero-carbon London at The Liveable City; and the challenges Prague is facing at…
Tall Stories 13: Ponte City
We look at the transformation of Ponte City and discover how it is a symbol of Johannesburg’s complex and troubled history.
