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
Town squares
The original concept of the town square has evolved quite significantly through the years, so what lessons can we draw from its journey? Whether they’re the centre stage for political protests or the ideal place for your morning stroll, squares play an essential role in expanding the public realm.
You’re the inspiration
Where do cities take their inspiration from? In this episode of ‘The Urbanist’ we explore how our cities rely on each another to draw lessons and move forward, from New York and London tackling similar problems to how a bike-sharing scheme proved to be contagious. Plus: every continent claims to…
Walk the catwalk
We discover how fashion is weaved into the fabric of our cities, from the way New Delhi promotes ethics within the industry to how Paris is benefitting from its fashion capital status. Listen in as we head to Vancouver, home to the world’s only Eco Fashion Week. We also find…
Discover Reykjavik
How does a remote city such as Reykjavik mark its spot on the map? Listen in as we chat to the mayor of Reykjavik, Dagur Eggertsson; find out how the city’s bookstores are bringing the community together and why geothermal power is being used to heat part of the Atlantic…
The second city
Being number two is not always a bad thing. In this episode we explore second cities and the ways in which they step out of the capital’s shadow. From Milan’s business hub to Melbourne’s food culture, these are the things that help us measure a city. Plus: we sit down…
Bad people, nice buildings
Architecture has always been the unfortunate sidekick of any dictatorial regime, with its imposing buildings marking a new era of nationalism and the power of its ruler. In this episode we explore the architectural legacy of fascist, imperial and dictatorial regimes around the world and what these buildings actually stand…
Failed bids
We explore projects that were planned but never realised and wonder how different a city might look if it had received a green light. Featuring a case of protected heritage, the high-speed train in Brazil that never took off, the runner-up of an architecture competition and why Toronto has failed…
Mind your manners
There’s a set of unspoken rules of conduct that make our cities tick: standing on the right on an escalator, properly tipping in a restaurant and behaving in a certain way on public transport. But how do people manage to remain civil in a hostile urban environment? Join us as…
Power city
We explore how politics have changed Brussels, visit an old embassy for sale in Belgrade and discover some of Hong Kong’s power clubs. Plus: we ask if Vienna is still the stage for international diplomacy and walk through Embassy Row in Washington DC.
Easy access
The way our buildings and public spaces are planned has a significant impact on our quality of life. We explore the theme of accessibility: from how to use inclusive design to a cab service in Hong Kong especially for wheelchair passengers. Plus: we find out what happens when technology and…
