Monocle 24: The Urbanist

Around the world you’ll find examples of cities that were built to order. Because whether it’s a megalomaniac’s metropolis in the middle of the desert or a new administrative capital for a reviving nation, there’s something appealing about starting from scratch.

This week we look at the Kaiserlinden: imperial trees planted in the heyday of the Austro-Hungarian empire at the end of the 19th century. Protected by the government, they are important political symbols of past glories.

The city has often been seen as a place where bad things happen – especially crime. And while many are still the backdrop against which murderers, robbers and fraudsters commit their offences, cities have actually become much safer in recent years.

From film appearances to miner takeovers, Newport’s Transporter Bridge has had a turbulent century at the heart of South Wales. Monocle’s George McDonagh, a native of the area, profiles of the iconic structure.

Cities are some of the world’s biggest polluters so how should we reimagine urban living to tackle climate change? We bring you a special report from the CitiesIPCC Cities and Climate Change Science Conference, where we met scientists, global leaders and policymakers who are trying to make city living greener.

Monocle’s Chiara Rimella reveals the secrets behind Marrakech’s plant-filled courtyards – and tells us why this city could become a haven for gardens like the peaceful Jardin Secret.

As London marks 15 years since it started getting cars off the streets with its congestion charge, we turn the spotlight to the UK’s roads. Does the congestion charge go far enough?

Khodynka Field in northwest Moscow is the site of a tragic stampede that overshadowed the dying decades of the Russian empire. After the Revolution it became the hub for the Soviet aviation industry and today it is one of the few examples, however modest, of a successful public initiative in the city.

We’ve been on the road and gathered two reports for you. First up, our editor Andrew Tuck reports from Poland as global architects, developers and city hall asked if a new grand project would be good for Warsaw? And then we’re in Malaysia to report from UN-Habitat’s World Urban Forum.

Monocle editor Andrew Tuck looks to the banks of the River Tagus in Lisbon to assess just how powerful the new Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology can be for the city.

This week we focus on urbanism, architecture, acoustics and sound artists. We’re reporting from Resonate, a one-day conference in Lisbon by Resite, Maat and Meyer Sound that gathered an international crowd.

“Hands off my Johnson” has been the rallying cry of the Big Apple’s designers and architects opposed to proposed changes to Manhattan’s iconic AT&T Building. Our New York bureau chief Ed Stocker has more.

From increasing green space to reducing traffic levels and improving mobility, there are several ways to make city-living a little easier. But can you measure just how tranquil urban spaces really are?

A sneak peak into the history of one of the world’s last surviving grand music halls.

From night mayors and music czars to bicycle mayors and ministers of loneliness, we explore the unusual ways to make a city tick.