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
Tall Stories 367: Baumgarten an der March
Alexei Korolyov visits the town where western Europe’s dependency on Russian energy began, to see how the attempt to cut ties with Moscow is affecting the village.
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.
Tall Stories 366: Siam Square, Bangkok
James Chambers takes us to Bangkok’s Siam Square to see why pedestrians are making good use of this refreshed piece of public realm in the Thai capital.
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…
Tall Stories 365: Le Provençal Hotel Pool, Giens Peninsula
Jessica Bridger investigates an audacious swimming pool in the south of France that has an interesting tale to tell.
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.
Tall Stories 364: The Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading, Rio de Janeiro
Mariella Bevan browses a historic library that is helping to preserve the written heritage of the Portuguese language in Brazil.
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.
Tall Stories 363: Cité du Vin, Bordeaux
Amy van den Berg explores a museum that’s bringing tourism back to the city in one of France’s most famous wine regions.
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.
