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
City animals
We meet some friendly otters in Singapore, go on a night out with some Spanish bats and board a plane via JFK’s new animal terminal, the Ark. Plus: falcon-spotting in London with the ‘grandmother of peregrines’.
Tall Stories 29: London’s protected views
We uncover the system of protected views that continues to stymie London’s vertical growth.
Hit the john!
There’s very little glamour in the way cities get rid of human waste. But it is important to see how they are doing this around the world: from loos at the carnival in Rio de Janeiro and the new public facilities in Madrid to a public toilet playing classical music…
Tall Stories 28: Honest Ed’s
We take a tour of one of Toronto’s most fabled discount department stores, first opened in 1948.
Green spaces
Parks and gardens can provide a much needed escape from the day-to-day rush in a city. This week we discover London’s newest community garden south of the river, head to the outskirts of Vienna for a members-only green living experience and catch up with the Nature Society of Singapore.
Tall Stories 27: Belgrade’s Genex Tower
It could be one of the city’s icons but Belgrade’s Western Gate is not quite as it should be. Also known as the Genex Tower, this relic of the Tito era is the first notable structure seen by many visitors on their way into Serbia’s capital.
Historic preservation, cycling and 100 Resilient Cities
We talk to Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, about the quest to revitalise historic buildings in the US. Plus: architecture’s influence on the way we learn, cycling in Hong Kong and part two of our interview with Michael Berkowitz, president of 100 Resilient Cities.
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.
