We cast our eyes towards a few of the world’s most extreme cities, from an isolated Australian outpost to the heights of the Valley of Mexico, to assess how their unique challenges have shaped their urban environments.


With an influential audience of city mayors, urban planners and architects, this is Monocle’s guide to making better cities, be it new technology, state-of-the-art subways or compact apartments. Nominee in the Smartest Podcast category of the 2019 British Podcast awards. 

With an influential audience of city mayors, urban planners and architects, this is Monocle’s guide to making better cities, be it new technology, state-of-the-art subways or compact apartments. Nominee in the Smartest Podcast category of the 2019 British Podcast awards.

The Urbanist

Cities in extremes

In part two of our series looking at conflict and the city, we examine the concept of rebuilding, as well as how the character of the city plays a role in the process. Plus: how to create a new metropolis while showing compassion for the past.

In part two of our series looking at conflict and the city, we examine the concept of rebuilding, as well as how the character of the city plays a role in the process. Plus: how to create a new metropolis while showing compassion for the past.

Conflict and the city: rebuilding

Tomás Pinheiro tells us how Seoul’s first mixed-use development came about and the challenges that it will face in the future.

Tomás Pinheiro tells us how Seoul’s first mixed-use development came about and the challenges that it will face in the future.

Tall Stories 408: Seun Sangga, Seoul

In part one of our series looking at conflict and the city, we explore protests, their effect on the built environment and how activism is shaped by the public realm.

In part one of our series looking at conflict and the city, we explore protests, their effect on the built environment and how activism is shaped by the public realm.

Cities in extremes

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