Founded 32 years ago, Nigerian capital Abuja was a utopian dream. But it became marred by corruption and few could afford to live there. Today, as the cranes return, its new minister is attempting to forge a truly African…
He believes in playing classical music as a way to prevent road rage and he understands that better transport solutions mean a higher quality of life. Meet Peter Ramsauer, Germany’s minister of transportation, construction…
Privacy and quiet in the city are in short supply but this mid-20th-century-inspired house in a lively Toronto shopping district is an object lesson in bold choices and the art of concealment.
We sign up for a degree at the University of Seychelles, Iraq's foreign food shopping list grows as droughts dry up the rivers, Israel takes commuting to new lengths and Angola at last rebuilds... sort of.
Sochi, a Black Sea beach resort popular with Putin and Siberian retirees, was the surprise choice to host the 2014 Winter Olympics – it lacks proper sewers for a start. So before it can cater for an expected one million…
The work of modernist architect Alvar Aalto is revered well beyond his native Finland. But you have to travel to the country’s far north to discover a barely known part of his portfolio: a city he planned from scratch
It’s an isolated chip off the old Russian bloc that’s surrounded by wealthier EU nations. Its future is anyone’s guess – military outpost or beach resort? But with a dynamic leader and wise investment, Kaliningrad could…
What Finland's president, Tarja Halonen, has in her motorcade, why Russia's building boom has hit the brakes, and how the Vatican is doing its bit in the fight against climate change.
BAU is the world’s largest fair for the construction and architecture industries while also being a dream getaway for home handymen. From grand designs to garden sheds, Monocle visits the design world’s most no-nonsense…
The new Tokyo Skytree, the world’s tallest freestanding tower, isn’t just about height. It’s a monument to the Japanese precision and care taken over its every detail.
The yachting industry has suffered some knocks and Cannes boat fair was 14 per cent down in attendance this year, but there are signs it’s on course for a recovery. And there’s a new appreciation of old-school and sustai…
Thailand's first female PM Yingluck Shinawatra gets the once over for our Style Leader, and we report on Hanoi's urban masterplan and Japan's pay rise for its football heroines.
