
The Urbanist
Monocle’s guide to better cities. Explore urban innovation, cutting-edge infrastructure, and compact living with insights from planners, architects, and city leaders.
Latest Episodes

Tall Stories 464: Cardiff Bay Opera House
Henry Rees-Sheridan recalls what became of Zaha Hadid’s plans for the Cardiff Bay Opera House.

Live from the Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit
From inclusive neighbourhoods and climate-resilient design to mobility and destination development, we explore how infrastructure is being redefined – not just as roads and bridges, but as a tool for better living.

Tall Stories 463: Rannahotell, Pärnu
Petri Burtsoff takes us to a historic hotel in Estonia that has stayed true to its design roots for nearly a century.

Urbanism through a different lens
We look at urbanism from different lenses, from a neighbourhood built on independent brands to a view on how the architecture field can innovate. And: what is ‘The Design Perspective’?

Tall Stories 462: Raj Mandir Cinema, Jaipur
Geetanjali Krishna takes us to a 50-year-old cinema in Jaipur, which is managing to give modern multiplexes a run for their money.

Live from Ned’s Club in London: Quality of Life edition
Monocle magazine’s editor, Josh Fehnert, is joined by editor in chief, Andrew Tuck, foreign editor, Alexis Self, and senior foreign correspondent, Carlota Rebelo, to discuss what makes a city truly liveable.

Freetown the tree town, Battle of the Elms and greening Denver
We explore an innovative pay-to-grow scheme that is helping to encourage tree growth in Sierra Leone’s capital city. Plus, Stockholm’s Battle of the Elms and making a greener Denver.

Tall Stories 461: Casa Vintilă Brătianu, Bucharest
Elena Kuji Buteică guides us through Casa Vintilă Brătianu’s storied past and the careful restoration turning it into a space for community and public life in the heart of the Romanian capital.

Worker housing in Saudi Arabia, public art in Abu Dhabi and Corner Corner
We recap the successes of the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial. Plus: worker housing in Saudi Arabia and a new urban-farming development in London’s Canada Water district.

Tall Stories 460: Waldorf Astoria, New York
Sally Howard tells us the secrets behind a repolished jewel in Manhattan’s hospitality crown.