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 26: Florence’s Le Murate
Just a short walk from Florence’s historical centre you’ll find a structure that hosts a cultural centre alongside shops and a housing complex. But once upon a time this building was walled up from the bustling life of the city. We take a look at the fascinating history of Le…
Abandoned buildings
Some buildings are completely derelict and inspire their fair share of urban myths while plans to repurpose long-abandoned structures mean that they’re often left in limbo. Plus: we chat to Michael Berkowitz, president of 100 Resilient Cities.
Tall Stories 25: Singapore’s Parkview Square
Between Singapore’s financial district and cosmopolitan Rochor you’ll see one of the city’s most eccentric buildings: Parkview Square. Or, as it is commonly known, the Batman Building.
Bicycles: hop on
As more and more people choose to hop on a bike rather than a crammed tram, we examine the cycle revolution that is just around the corner. We see how bike tours are improving one of Johannesburg’s poorest communities, check out cycling in traffic-prone Cairo and discuss how bicycles are…
Tall Stories 24: Sint-Annatunnel
The river Schelde is the lifeblood of Antwerp but with no bridges crossing it there’s only one way to get to the other side by foot. We take a stroll down the Sint-Annatunnel.
Beyazit, biennales and bikes
We catch up with the Lebanese pavilion at the London Design Biennale, check out the newly renovated Beyazit State Library in Istanbul and explore Moscow’s disappearing kiosks. Plus: the latest trends in urban cycling from Eurobike 2016.
Tall Stories 23: Mount Pleasant Post Office
An underground railway, a billion letters and a good few inches of postman’s leg: we gasp at the utilitarian beauty of London’s Mount Pleasant Post Office.
Escaping the city
City life can be a little full on. We find out why it feels good to get away from the concrete, the crowds and the chaos and highlight a few quiet spots in which to slow down before getting back to the bustle of our cities.
Tall Stories 22: The Egg
We head to Beirut to find out about the history and uncertain future of The Egg. Is it a relic of Lebanon’s long gone golden era or a painful reminder of the civil war?
