The Urbanist

We speak to DeafCity Hub’s founder Amanprit Arnold to learn how differently cities are experienced by the deaf community. Then Omnigym’s Kirsti Laasio discusses fitness accessibility for all, including the homeless.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ursula Damani, founding partner and chief marketing officer of Rockaway Ocean Club, helped revive a landmark Queens bathhouse. Journalist Ed Stocker reports from the restored Atlantic-facing club. They explore its Art Deco architecture, $88 million transformation, Hurricane Sandy’s legacy, compact beach cabins, skyline views and the tensions between public access, community identity and coastal redevelopment.

Beirut artist and architect Nadim Karam discusses temporary public sculptures, reconciliation, and The Gesture, a memorial made from port-blast steel. Architect Kim Herforth-Nielsen, founding partner of 3XN, and architect David Stavros explore Shenzhen Natural History Museum’s river-inspired design and civic role. Urban strategist John Rossant previews aerospace, satellites, autonomous vehicles, and the future of mobility in Los Angeles.

Jane Chambers, a Monocle journalist covering cities, architecture and urban life, rides Valparaiso’s historic Ascensor Concepción. She explores its steep hillside route, panoramic port views and ingenious water-powered beginnings. The conversation follows its shift from steam to electricity, financial rescue and painstaking restoration, before recounting a 2020 cable failure and the funicular’s return as an essential daily service.

We discuss how design can make urban centres more liveable amid rising temperatures, looking at the best examples from Rome to Dubai.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Petri Burtsov, a Monocle writer covering architecture, design and urban culture, explores Saare KEK, an extraordinary 1980s Soviet building in Estonia. Discover how collective-farm wealth enabled bold experimentation, how architect Marika Loöke challenged convention, and why the building became a beloved community hub. Its abandonment, rescue and revival as a concert venue and museum add a remarkable final chapter.

Benazir Noor Mohamed, a healthy-building specialist, explores wellness-led design. Former mayors Sally Capp of Melbourne, Enrique Peñalosa of Bogotá and Anne Hidalgo of Paris discuss climate alliances, political courage and reshaping public space. Topics include cycling, BRT, density, pedestrianisation, urban equality, community life and the push for healthier buildings.

Paul Logothetis tells us the history of a section of central Montreal that manages to straddle the line between high class and hip.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wif Stenger takes us underground in the Finnish city of Vantaa to explore a district heating plan of world-beating proportions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.