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
Biodiversity in the city
How important are flora and fauna to a flourishing city? We investigate the merits of encouraging an urban insect population, the benefits of wildlife sanctuaries in city limits and we visit a turtle rehabilitation centre in a Dubai hotel.
Urban neighbours and mid-sized cities
We find out what major urban centres can learn from their smaller siblings. Plus, why two neighbouring cities have never merged despite their close proximity.
Summer book club, part 2
It’s part two of our summer meeting of The Urbanist book club, in which we examine how cities could be the solution to society’s biggest challenges. Plus, we discuss the changing face of retail through the story of one man’s journey from shop assistant to COO of the legendary music…
Summer book club, part 1
We call our summer meeting of The Urbanist book club with two titles that tell stories of American urbanisation, from the suburban boom and Asian immigration to the creation of Chicago’s iconic skyline.
Sound spaces
We explore how designing with acoustics in mind can shape our urban environment and the effect of music spaces on a city’s social fabric.
City profile: Bratislava
Change is afoot in the Slovak capital. We meet Matus Vallo, Bratislava’s bass-playing architect mayor, and his unofficial network of urban change-makers to hear about the city’s renaissance. From improved public spaces to the restoration of neglected buildings, this is a city on the up.
Toronto’s mayoral election
As Toronto prepares for a snap mayoral election on 26 June, we explore the urban issues at stake and hear how the vote presents an opportunity for change.
Rethinking spaces for transport
We explore some examples of adaptive reuse that are transforming old transit hubs – and designing new ones. Plus: the annual European Tramdriver Championship.
Obstacles to innovation
We assess some novel city plans and the obstacles that they have to overcome, from safer autonomous cars to dying downtown cores. We then look at what happens when the best features in a design phase are ignored once built.
Sadie Morgan and tackling homelessness
Sadie Morgan discusses the shortlist for the forthcoming Davidson Prize, how our cities can help rough sleepers and how good planning can improve every aspect of urban life, from housing to infrastructure. Plus: a look at Los Angeles’s solutions to homelessness.
