What lessons can cities learn from the past? We discuss Leonardo da Vinci’s plans for the ideal city, sketched after a pandemic; revisit the pneumatic tube system; and re-examine the humble drinking fountain.

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

Lessons from history

Our holiday special brings you a collection of yuletide traditions from cities around the world. Then, we roll out another festive round of ‘The Urbanist’ quiz and give you the perfect gift idea for the urbanist in your life.

Our holiday special brings you a collection of yuletide traditions from cities around the world. Then, we roll out another festive round of &lsquo;The Urbanist&rsquo; quiz and give you the perfect gift idea for the urbanist in your life.

A very Urbanist Christmas

Jessica Bridger straps on her skis and takes us to a grand American resort whose wild, man-made landscape stuns visitors.

Jessica Bridger straps on her skis and takes us to a grand American resort whose wild, man-made landscape stuns visitors.

Tall Stories 439: Deer Valley Resort, Utah

Matt Sykes, co-founder and convenor of Swimmable Cities, describes how our urban centres can band together to promote more swimmable urban waterways. Then Sebastien Ricard from Wilkinsoneyre unpacks the transformation of the Battersea Power Station and Mandy Sinclair visits Aaniin – Canada’s first fully indigenous-owned department store.

Matt Sykes, co-founder and convenor of Swimmable Cities, describes how our urban centres can band together to promote more swimmable urban waterways. Then Sebastien Ricard from Wilkinsoneyre unpacks the transformation of the Battersea Power Station and Mandy Sinclair visits Aaniin &ndash; Canada&rsquo;s first fully indigenous-owned department store.

Lessons from history

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