What lessons can cities learn from the past? We discuss Leonardo da Vinci’s plans for the ideal city, sketched after a pandemic; revisit the pneumatic tube system; and re-examine the humble drinking fountain.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lessons from history

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. 

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Arts

Literature

Performing Arts

Design

Food

Fashion & Beauty

Visual Arts

We look at democracy in urban areas and examine city planning and the impact of voter choice. How can decision making in cities become more open and inclusive? Plus: we go back to the beginning to discover how candidates secure a spot on the ballot paper. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who holds the power in our cities?

Sarah Grice recalls a fishy tale about the longest river in the British Isles, the Shannon in Ireland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tall Stories 405: River Shannon

As global urban development continues at pace, the need to use sustainable materials and building techniques in our cities increases. How is innovation helping the construction industry to reduce its impact on the environment? We explore some of the ideas that are hoped to make a difference. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sustainable building materials and circular construction

Ivan Carvalho visits San Siro Stadium to see what is next for this storied piece of sporting infrastructure in Milan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tall Stories 404: San Siro, Milan

We explore the newly transformed spaces in the historic Heal’s department store in London, investigate the new building frontiers required to tackle the Netherlands’ housing needs and find out what makes an effective innovation hub. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lessons from history

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