The Urbanist

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. Nomin…

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Nadim Karam on the healing power of public art
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.
35:12
Tall Stories 531: How Ascensor Concepción helps Valparaiso reach new heights
Jane Chambers visits Valparaiso’s oldest funicular to experience how this feat of engineering is still an important part of daily life.
05:18
If cities can’t take the heat, they need to rethink their design
We discuss how design can make urban centres more liveable amid rising temperatures, looking at the best examples from Rome to Dubai.
32:56
Tall Stories 530: The unique Soviet design behind Estonia’s Saare KEK building
Petri Burtsoff takes us to a rare piece of experimental, woman-led 1980’s Soviet design off the coast of Estonia.
05:15
Livex Abu Dhabi: Meet the former mayors
In our second episode from the Livex livability exhibition in Abu Dhabi, we hear from former mayors who helped to make their cities more livable. Plus: designing for wellness.
26:42
Tall Stories 529: Montreal’s Golden Square Mile
Paul Logothetis tells us the history of a section of central Montreal that manages to straddle the line between high class and hip.
07:56
Livex Abu Dhabi: Liveable and loveable cities
In our first of two episodes from the Livex liveability exhibition in Abu Dhabi, we hear from some exciting guests aiming to build cities that serve their people best.
29:49
Tall Stories 528: The world’s largest heat storage facility in Vantaa
Wif Stenger takes us underground in the Finnish city of Vantaa to explore a district heating plan of world-beating proportions.
05:56
Studio by IPUT special: How food and beverage can help a neighbourhood thrive
In the second of two special episodes in partnership with Studio by IPUT, Carlota Rebelo heads to Ireland to explore how well-run cafes, artisanal bakeries and a chef’s studio are shaping the Dublin of tomorrow.
27:49
How Kuwait City’s overlooked objects contribute to its urban character
We visit an exhibition in Dubai from Kuwaiti designer Hamad Almuzaini that explores how overlooked items can characterise a city. Plus: The Roofless Truth about homelessness. And: plant adoption at the Barbican Conservatory.
29:40