We find out what major urban centres can learn from their smaller siblings. Plus, why two neighbouring cities have never merged despite their close vicinity.

We find out what major urban centres can learn from their smaller siblings. Plus, why two neighbouring cities have never merged despite their close vicinity.

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

Urban neighbours and mid-sized cities

Tomas Stokke joins us from Haptic, an architectural firm bringing Scandinavian style to global projects. We also meet Dicle Guntas from Forefront, who aims to revive downtowns through art.

Tomas Stokke joins us from Haptic, an architectural firm bringing Scandinavian style to global projects. We also meet Dicle Guntas from Forefront, who aims to revive downtowns through art.

The pillars of architectural practice with a Scandinavian sensibility

Gendel Gento takes us to the last surviving example of Japan’s “Five Great Prisons” built during the Meiji era, which has recently undergone a transformation.

Gendel Gento takes us to the last surviving example of Japan&rsquo;s &ldquo;Five Great Prisons&rdquo; built during the Meiji era, which has recently undergone a transformation.

Tall Stories 512: The strange transformation of Nara Juvenile Prison

Carlota Rebelo reports from the Urban Land Institute’s 2026 Europe Conference in Berlin, where we hear the most interesting voices in the real estate sector assess the challenges facing our cities.

Carlota Rebelo reports from the Urban Land Institute&rsquo;s 2026 Europe Conference in Berlin, where we hear the most interesting voices in the real estate sector assess the challenges facing our cities.

Urban neighbours and mid-sized cities

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