The Urbanist

We report from the Council on Vertical Urbanism’s 2026 summit with its CEO and incoming chair. Plus: building big in Brazil with Stéphane Domeneghini. And: Jeddah Tower with Ian Norman Miller and John Peronto. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gendel Gento discusses the history of iconic broadcasting towers in the Japanese capital and how the Tokyo Skytree came to be. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Ed Stocker takes us to a restored beach club on the Queens coastline which brings a refreshed focus to New York’s oceanside assets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beiruti artist Nadim Karam joins us to discuss how art can be restorative to a city. We also speak to two members of the team behind the new Shenzhen Natural History Museum and preview the agenda for Comotion LA 2026. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 privacy information.

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 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.

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 wellness. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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 studio are shaping the Dublin of tomorrow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 homelessness. And: plant adoption at the Barbican Conservatory. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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 design firm Gorgeous Group, Robbie Bargh. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 and culture – can learn from each other. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 information.

From Manchester championing the decentralisation of design expertise to Toronto’s technique for getting more out of transit-oriented developments, we explore two planning concepts named after their home cities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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 with the City Rail Link.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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 Donnally from JoeyCo on live-work arrangements. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 information.

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 Shimul Javeri Kadri explains the idea of “storytelling architecture”. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.