The Urbanist

Latest Episodes:

Tall Stories 511: 50 years of London’s Undercroft Skate Space Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

Sophie Monaghan-Coombs learns about Undercroft Skate Space, a venue that has been central to the London skateboarding scene over the past half century.

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How Sweden’s ‘fika’ mentality can improve city planning May 28, 2026

Show notes

We learn how one strategist is exporting Swedish fika values to help put city planners on the same page. We also hear about Hungary’s push to revive its urban green commons and how Turku Cathedral locks its doors.

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Tall Stories 510: Exploring Taiwan’s flying-saucer ghost town May 25, 2026

Show notes

Stefan Dubowski takes us to the beaches of Taiwan’s Wanli district to see a largely abandoned collection of futuristic abodes.

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Why does a safer city for children mean a better urban environment for all? May 21, 2026

Show notes

We check back in with our friends at the Start With Children, and hear from the duo who hosted one of the organisation’s miniseries of lectures, Melissa and Chris Bruntlett. Plus: we hear from this year’s World Urban Forum in Baku.

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Tall Stories 509: Taking in Mt Fuji from a new tourist-focused train route May 18, 2026

Show notes

Julia Kim rides the Hokusai Special Train – a new journey aimed at foreign tourists to take in breathtaking views of Mt Fuji.

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Why co-housing could be the answer to urban loneliness May 14, 2026

Show notes

We explore a new style of neighbourhood that could improve social connection and ease cost of living. We also assess Vietnam’s evolving tourism landscape and see how mayors are fighting back against authoritarianism.

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Arup at 80: Design for what’s next May 12, 2026

Show notes

A special episode brought to you in collaboration with Arup. We hear from Anna König Jerlmyr, former mayor of Stockholm; Raj Patel, Arup’s chief innovation officer; and award-winning designer Thomas Heatherwick.

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Tall Stories 508: Inside Jaipur’s traditional enclosed bazaars May 11, 2026

Show notes

Geetanjali Krishna explores Jaipur’s ‘katlas’ – traditional enclosed market spaces that continue to thrive despite the city’s growing number of shopping malls.

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Old and new: How to build a neighborhood and reinvent a historic one May 07, 2026

Show notes

We discover two projects aiming to deliver a human-centric masterplan: Ion Riva in Turkey and Diriyah in Saudi Arabia. Plus: how the Fleet Street Quarter is reinventing the historic London district.

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Tall Stories 507: Maracaibo’s Iglesia Cristo de Aranza May 04, 2026

Show notes

Gustavo Ocando Alex takes us to a church in Venezuela’s second city of Maracaibo that helps tell the story of the country’s history.

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