The Urbanist

Monocle’s editor-in-chief Andrew Tuck recalls some of his favourite interviews and reports from the year on ‘The Urbanist’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Martin, Global Design Director at Stantec, and Perry Ashenfelter, Senior Associate at Perkins and Will, dive into the transformative power of healthcare facility design. They discuss how hospitals can serve as civic hubs, enhancing community engagement and connectivity. Martin emphasizes strategies for public access that integrate nature and daylight into hospital spaces to promote healing. Ashenfelter shares insights into the renovation of the Animal Medical Center, focusing on staff wellbeing and maintaining operations during complex updates, highlighting the importance of design in veterinary care.

Gregory Scruggs tells us the tale of the oldest existing synagogue in the United States.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to Jeremy Till and Tatjana Schneider – two of the authors behind ‘Architecture is Climate’ – a new book rethinking the industry and its foundations in an age of ecological crisis.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alexei Korolyov, a journalist for Monocle, takes listeners on a journey to a hidden air-raid bunker in Schönborn Park, Vienna. He interviews museum curators Magdalena Puchberger and Maria Reid about the bunker’s forgotten history and its significance to Austria's wartime narrative. The discussion spans from failed plans and Chernobyl's impact to innovative art installations that challenge exclusion. They explore transformation through art, with satirical pieces like jars of 'Austrian air,' making this historic site a thought-provoking commentary on democracy.

We report from MIPIM Asia in Hong Kong, where delegates from across the APAC region and beyond discussed solutions to meet the rapid pace of urbanisation. Plus: a city reeling from a devastating fire in Tai Po.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Logothetis takes us to an iconic feature of Athens’ urban fabric – covered walkways offering much needed shade and a space for socialising.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sue Asprey Price, CEO of Work Dynamics at JLL, shares insights from the 2025 Workforce Preference Barometer, highlighting the growing desire for flexible office environments, especially among Gen Z. She discusses the importance of human-centered design and amenities that make office spaces appealing. Meanwhile, Charlotte McDonald-Gibson reveals the complexities of urban combat training, noting the value of synthetic environments and advanced technology like AR/AI for effective preparation in urban warfare scenarios.

Jessica Bridger, a writer and narrator, shares her profound insights on the Grande Dixence Dam, the tallest in Europe, built in the 1950s. She details its impressive scale and the surreal experience of interacting with its massive structure. Bridger delves into its engineering marvels and crucial role in Swiss hydropower, generating a significant portion of the nation's energy. She also highlights the dam's cultural invisibility and its impact on Swiss identity, emphasizing how human ingenuity harmonizes with nature.

We speak to South Korean artist Jinjoon Lee about how his country interacts with public art, Inzamam Rashid visits an acclaimed installation from Dubai Design Week and we meet new Riba president Chris Williamson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.