Podcast
The Urbanist
Hosted by Monocle · EN
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.
94episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Tall Stories 514: The strange world of Zürich’s Bruno Weber Park
2d ago00:05:10Summary readyLaura Kramer explores an oasis inhabited by mythical creatures, a fairy-tale tower and giant mosaic-covered beasts on the outskirts of Zürich.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryThe World Cup effect on our cities
6d ago00:37:46Summary readyFrom adapting stadiums in the US to the evolution of Mexico City, we explore what hosting a mega-event such as the World Cup can mean for a city. Plus: Torontonians celebrate and how LA Metro handles the rush. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryTall Stories 513: Finding paradise in the real Shangri-La
1w ago00:07:27Summary readyTom Webb takes us to the Chinese city named after the fictional 1933 literary paradise of Shangri-La to sort fact from fiction. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryThe pillars of architectural practice with a Scandinavian sensibility
2w ago00:30:23Summary readyTomas 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryTall Stories 512: The strange transformation of Nara Juvenile Prison
2w ago00:05:22Summary readyGendel 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryHow can the real estate sector help Europe stay ahead of the competition?
3w ago00:30:43Summary readyCarlota 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryTall Stories 511: 50 years of London’s Undercroft Skate Space
3w ago00:04:58Summary readySophie Monaghan-Coombs learns about Undercroft Skate Space, a venue that has been central to the London skateboarding scene over the past half century.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryHow Sweden’s ‘fika’ mentality can improve city planning
4w ago00:30:23Summary readyWe learn how one strategist is exporting Swedish fika values to help put city planners on the same page. We also hear about Hungary’s push to revive its urban green commons and how Turku Cathedral locks its doors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryTall Stories 510: Exploring Taiwan’s flying-saucer ghost town
May 2500:06:30Summary readyStefan Dubowski takes us to the beaches of Taiwan’s Wanli district to see a largely abandoned collection of futuristic abodes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryWhy does a safer city for children mean a better urban environment for all?
May 2100:30:49Summary readyWe check back in with our friends at the Start With Children, and hear from the duo who hosted one of the organisation’s miniseries of lectures, Melissa and Chris Bruntlett. Plus: we hear from this year’s World Urban Forum in Baku.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Summary