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Artwork for The Urbanist

The Urbanist

Monocle
Architecture
London
Climate Change
Sustainable Design
Urban Design
New York City
Urban Development
Urban Planning
Sustainability
Community Engagement
Affordable Housing
Urbanism
Housing Crisis
Paris
Toronto
San Francisco
Singapore
Vienna
Istanbul
Sustainable Architecture

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.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes103Founded15 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Places & TravelArtsDesignSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Urbanist

Latest Episodes

Gregory Scruggs takes us to Vancouver’s Kitsilano Pool, a saltwater bathing spot whose future is uncertain due to its desperate need for refurbishment.

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We look at the new home for London’s Museum of Youth Culture, a Chicago collective who embeds cultural venues into neighbourhoods and traffic solutions for The Beatles’ Abbey Road crossing.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

YouTube

Alexei Korolyov takes us to one of Vienna’s most architecturally stunning tennis clubs.

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YouTube

We review a new library project in Oregon, learn about a system helping Swedish city-dwellers share and find out how to build sticky neighbourhoods.

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YouTube

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Recent Guests

Jonathan Matabow-Pearson
Co-founder of Collaborative Economy Sweden (KES) and placemaker
KES / Transition Lab
Episode: Designing a modern library that is relevant to people and place
Brittany Schreiner
Creative Director at Holst Architecture
Holst Architecture
Episode: Designing a modern library that is relevant to people and place
Leslie Roberts
Director of BTR Operations at Argent Related
Related Argent
Episode: Designing a modern library that is relevant to people and place
Gustavo Ocando Alex
Presenter/guide for Tall Stories episode
Episode: Tall Stories 519: Exploring Caracas’ panoramic Humboldt Hotel
Nick Watson
Development Director at Lendlease, project director for Elephant Park
Lendlease
Episode: Thomas Heatherwick on generosity in urban design and how to sustain a project’s momentum
Liu Jakun
Architect
Chengdu-based architect
Episode: Tall Stories 518: The past and present grow together at Chengdu’s West Village
Nick Durston
CEO of the South Bank Employers' Group
South Bank Employers' Group
Episode: How London’s South Bank has supported culture for 75 years
Billy Fleming
Founder and co-director of the Climate and Community Institute; author
Temple University; Climate and Community Institute
Episode: How London’s South Bank has supported culture for 75 years
Miriam Jurado
Arquitect Miriam Jurado of Taia Multidisciplinar
Taia Multidisciplinar
Episode: Tall Stories 517: How La Bulla is making itself heard in Veracruz

Host

Andrew Tuck
Host with a background in Monocle's urban coverage, frequently guiding discussions and introducing guests.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 673 ratings
  • For city lovers

    Even students of urbanism planning or urban design would love to think about all the topics about world cities they walk in. And of course the magic of travelling to many interest places and learn about their experiences.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    joe ele
    Spain3 years ago
  • Monocle urbanist

    Important solutions, eclectic & encouraging!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RobG-nz
    New Zealand4 years ago
  • Monocle registers in my mind as a fancy jetsetting travel magazine (geeze, do we have a surprise half-theme going here?!) - just look at one of their covers and tell me you don’t absent-mindedly slip into a voyeuristic stupor! It’s a magazine that wants to be a book but also wants to have pictures, and that kind of split personality really speaks to me. I haven’t been to a very exciting new place in a very long time, and this show makes me long to travel while also simultaneously scratching that... more

    Podchaser
    5
    yosterstrudel
    4 years ago
  • So much to learn

    As someone looking to get into the city planning/public transportation sectors, this is such an interesting way to keep learning about cities round the world

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ggs4eva
    United States4 years ago
  • Why include audio of George Floyd dying?

    I wish there was a content warning, and truly just not played at all, for the audio of George Floyd dying. There needs to be more care in sharing this kind of audio footage, as it is traumatizing for black people. It’s easy for non black people to separate themselves from the deaths of black people by easily sharing this kind of violent content.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Kourtneyal
    Canada6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are often senior practitioners, making episodes feel highly credible.
Audience values depth and on-site reporting, though some episodes are noted for accessibility challenges with maps or resources.
Listeners praise the show's global city perspective and practical, design-forward insights.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Designing a modern library that is relevant to people and place
Q: Did the project require reimagining after taking the lead role from Ajay Associates, or was the process already collaborative enough to steer delivery?
The speakers described a collaborative approach from the outset, with weaving in processes and ongoing involvement of multiple partners, allowing them to adapt and steer the project without a traditional handoff.
Designing a modern library that is relevant to people and place
Q: When you began by asking Brittany Schreiner, why is there still a need for such a large library in today's society?
Schreiner explained that the 21st-century library must be a community hub that blends books with spaces for learning, events, technology, and gathering, reflecting a broader civic role beyond lending; the design centers on accessibility, engagement, and inclusivity.
Thomas Heatherwick on generosity in urban design and how to sustain a project’s momentum
Q: How do you keep a long-term project on track through nine years of development and beyond?
Maintain a clear manifesto and strong partnership with the local authority, remaining flexible to market dynamics while staying true to the original vision.
Thomas Heatherwick on generosity in urban design and how to sustain a project’s momentum
Q: Tell me about the first ideas to make Olympia feel more inviting.
Heatherwick explains cracking the castle-like perimeter by lifting parts of the structure to create a 200-meter-long rooftop street and adding a cultural program to invite a wider public.
How to support the ecosystems that make up our cities
Q: What role do local policies play in advancing these ecological urban designs?
Policy needs to standardize and regulate rain garden design, promote cross-borough coordination, and push for building codes that require wildlife-friendly features, especially in high-risk zones like dense urban centers.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Urbanist

What is The Urbanist about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The lineup covers a wide spectrum of urban life, from street-level design and mobility to governance, housing models, and green infrastructure. Episodes commonly explore how cities grow in smart, people-centered ways—highlighting practical case studies (canopy planning, co-housing, transit-savvy design, and heritage-driven redevelopment) and the people who shape them (city officials, architects, planners, journalists, and activists). A standout is the consistent pairing of on-the-ground reporting with design and policy analysis, plus a recurring emphasis on participatory planning and human-scale urbanism that helps listeners understand both big-picture strategy and how it touches everyday life. The show's strength lies in bringing diverse g... more

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How many listeners does The Urbanist get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Urbanist have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Urbanist?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Urbanist:

1. Monocle on Design
2. Monocle on Sunday
3. The Monocle Daily
4. The Briefing
5. The Globalist

How many episodes of The Urbanist are there?

The Urbanist launched 15 years ago and published 103 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Urbanist?

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What guests have appeared on The Urbanist?

Recent guests on The Urbanist include:

1. Jonathan Matabow-Pearson
2. Brittany Schreiner
3. Leslie Roberts
4. Gustavo Ocando Alex
5. Nick Watson
6. Liu Jakun
7. Nick Durston
8. Billy Fleming

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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