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

Beiruti artist Nadim Karam joins us to discuss how art can be restorative to a city. We also speak to two members of the team behind the new Shenzhen Natural History Museum and preview the agenda for Comotion LA 2026.

Beiruti artist Nadim Karam joins us to discuss how art can be restorative to a city. We also speak to two members of the team behind the new Shenzhen Natural History Museum and preview the agenda for Comotion LA 2026.

Nadim Karam on the healing power of public art

Jane Chambers visits Valparaiso’s oldest funicular to experience how this feat of engineering is still an important part of daily life.

Jane Chambers visits Valparaiso&rsquo;s oldest funicular to experience how this feat of engineering is still an important part of daily life.

Tall Stories 531: How Ascensor Concepción helps Valparaiso reach new heights

We discuss how design can make urban centres more liveable amid rising temperatures, looking at the best examples from Rome to Dubai.

We discuss how design can make urban centres more liveable amid rising temperatures, looking at the best examples from Rome to Dubai.

Lessons from history

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