The Urbanist

Tall Stories 531: How Ascensor Concepción helps Valparaiso reach new heights

Jane Chambers visits Valparaiso’s oldest funicular to experience how this feat of engineering is still an important part of daily life. See omnystudio.com/listener for p

If cities can’t take the heat, they need to rethink their design

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 pri

Tall Stories 530: The unique Soviet design behind Estonia’s Saare KEK building

Petri Burtsoff takes us to a rare piece of experimental, woman-led 1980’s Soviet design off the coast of Estonia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Livex Abu Dhabi: Meet the former mayors

In our second episode from the Livex livability exhibition in Abu Dhabi, we hear from former mayors who helped to make their cities more livable. Plus: designing for well

Tall Stories 529: Montreal’s Golden Square Mile

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 priva

Livex Abu Dhabi: Liveable and loveable cities

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. S

Tall Stories 528: The world’s largest heat storage facility in Vantaa

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 i

Studio by IPUT special: How food and beverage can help a neighbourhood thrive

In the second of two special episodes in partnership with Studio by IPUT, Carlota Rebelo heads to Ireland to explore how well-run cafes, artisanal bakeries and a chef’s s

How Kuwait City’s overlooked objects contribute to its urban character

We visit an exhibition in Dubai from Kuwaiti designer Hamad Almuzaini that explores how overlooked items can characterise a city. Plus: The Roofless Truth about homelessn

Tall Stories 527: Thrills and chills in Munich’s Eisbach

Valerie Hamilton takes us on a wild ride through one of the world’s largest urban parks for a Munich rite of passage. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information

Studio by IPUT Real Estate special: Instilling emotion into workplaces through good hospitality

In the first of two special episodes in partnership with Studio by IPUT Real Estate, we convene a discussion with its chief executive, Niall Gaffney, and the founder of d

Designing One London, a new skyscraper for the UK’s capital

We speak to the architect and developer behind a new skyscraper planned for the City of London. Then we hear what Lisbon and Maputo – two cities with a shared language an

Tall Stories 526: Mother Nature on display at Apple Park

Ivan Carvalho takes us for a tour inside a tech-focused campus where greenery is also given its fair share of attention.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa

Toponymic planning: Manchesterism and the Toronto Model

From Manchester championing the decentralisation of design expertise to Toronto’s technique for getting more out of transit-oriented developments, we explore two planning

Tall Stories 525: Toronto’s eye-catching ‘Global Convenience’

Tomos Lewis takes us to a seemingly out-of-place public art installation currently floating on Lake Ontario. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How the City Rail Link can rewrite Auckland’s future

We convene a roundtable discussion with Gosha Haley, Ludo Campbell-Reid and Gyles Bendall on the future of Auckland, as the metropolis prepares for a new era of mobility

Tall Stories 524: The silver-screen allure of Park Hyatt Tokyo’s New York Bar

Gendel Gento explores a recently refurbished hotel bar in Tokyo, which is a must-visit for cinephiles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How New York plans to reimagine its famous Fifth Avenue and its bus system

We speak with Madelyn Wils, who is heading up an overhaul of Fifth Avenue, and New York transportation commissioner Mike Flynn about rethinking bus transit. Plus: Alison

Tall Stories 523: The multipurpose magic of Hong Hong’s HSBC Building

Tomas Pinheiro takes us to a Hong Kong tower built for banking that now plays many different roles for the city’s residents. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info

How an all-women team reimagined condo design in Toronto

We speak to Heather Rolleston from BDP Quadrangle about the firm’s recent condo development in Toronto, which was brought about by an all-women team. Plus: architect Shim