Try running this: Slums in Mumbai
Sorting out Mumbai's sprawling slums is no easy task.
Try running this: Rubbish in Cairo
For a man weighed down by up to 19,000 tonnes of solid waste each morning
Try running this: Animal control in Taipei
"The hardest part isn't the killing. It's choosing which ones will die today," says Taipei Animal Shelter and Adoption chief Li Jian-Pei. "It never gets any easier."
Try running this: Transport in Los Angeles
Former bus driver Art Leahy was born in LA and is now the CEO of the County Transportation Authority, which operates the city's bus and rail networks and builds its roads and motorways.
Try running this: Noise Pollution, São Paulo
That 06.15 alarm call is an appropriately rude awakening for Alfonso Orlandi Neto, whose job is to combat noise pollution in South America's most populous city.
Affairs Report: Sergei Sobyanin
One has the task of turning round Japan's only bankrupt city. Another is trying to rebuild a war-torn capital where electricity is a scarce luxury.
Affairs Report: Mohamed Nur
"I was born here in a hospital that still exists but is completely destroyed." Mohamed Nur, 56, could be speaking of any building in Mogadishu, the war-torn Somali capital that it is his job to repair
Affairs Report: Naomichi Suzuki
It is famous as a producer of Japan's priciest premium melons – and as the only bankrupt city in Japan.
issue 45: Mitch Landrieu
New Orleans may be known as The Big Easy, but in his first year as mayor Mitch Landrieu has demonstrated an uncommon hyperactivity
Affairs Report: Eleni Mavrou
Europe Briefing: Who Dares Wins - Sweden
Stockholm is often hailed as one of the world's most beautiful cities. But when it comes to innovative architecture, the city is not mentioned so often.
Europe Briefing: Q&A José Sá Fernandes
A Q&A with the Councillor of Lisbon.
Europe Briefing: Smiles to go - Finland
It's the little things that count – and a happy face is definitely one of them.
Europe Briefing: Green Dreams -Germany
Americas Briefing: Book bus club - Argentina
Calming the unrest among commuters.
Americas Briefing: Paving the way - Venezuela
A Monocle briefing on the pleasures of walking.
Americas Briefing: Living the stream - USA
A redevelop means great things for the landscape of Los Angeles.
Africa/Middle East Briefing: According to plan - Lebanon
A plan a map and a thriving company in Beirut. Monocle catches up with the social entrepreneur who is spear heading the guides to the capitol.
Americas Briefing: Q&A David Bragdon
Africa/Middle East Briefing: Setting up camp - Kenya
The ultimate bush hotel.
Africa/Middle East Briefing: Drive Time - Nigeria
Text the driver out of trouble in gridlocked Nigeria.
Africa/Middle East Briefing: Q&A Andry Andriamanga
Andry Andriamanga is executive secretary of Voahary Gasy (VG), a new environmental alliance trying to keep alive efforts to save biodiversity in Madagascar.
Africa/Middle East Briefing: Dig for Victory - UAE
The UAE aims for a better stockpile to serve their nation.
Oceania Briefing: Quick Buck - Niue
The cues are too long on the tiny island of Niue.
Oceania Briefing: Out on the Town - New Zealand
In earthquake-stricken Christchurch, the suburbs are the new downtown, at least as far as nightlife is concerned.
Oceania Briefing: Going up Down Under - Australia
Australia may have escaped recession during the financial crisis, but its housing industry is showing worrying signs. Demand is outstripping supply, leading to a surge in prices.
Oceania Briefing: Q&A Roger Sutton
As head of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, Roger Sutton has an enormous demolition job ahead. But he is also in a rare position to build a radically better city.
Asia Briefing: Reach for the sky - Singapore
Farms are growing upwards in Singapore, Monocle investigates.
Asia Briefing: Farm Favourite - Japan
Commuting and farming may sound like an incongruous mix. But the two activities are brought together in Osaka Station City, a new development at the city's main train station.
Asia Briefing: Taking Charge - Japan
Tokyo may be famous for its neon, but this summer, the city is expected to shift towards a more green approach to electricity.
Asia Briefing: End of an era - Cambodia
If the charm of a city is found in its architecture, then Phnom Penh is considerably less alluring than it used to be.
Asia Briefing: Q&A Serina Hijjas
Serina Hijjas is at the forefront of efforts to make Kuala Lumpur a more sustainable and attractive place to live, drafting a new Green Building Index.
Quality of life: Quality of Life 01 - Helsinki
For our Quality-of-Life issue, Monocle has been busy researching the world's top cities. And with a re-jig of the way each urban centre is assessed, this year's top 25 promises some surprises.
Quality of life: 03 - Copenhagen
A waterside city with a mission – and all the materials to make it
Quality of life: 04 - Munich
Business as usual in the Bavarian capital. Well, almost
Quality of life: 05 - Melbourne
Massive growth puts Melbourne on course to be Australia's biggest city
Quality of life: 06 - Vienna
Continues to move beyond its status as a beautiful outdoor museum
Quality of life: 07 - Sydney
Retail rebirth is not helped by an outdated transport infrastructure
Quality of life: 18 - Portland
The wunderkind in the US northwest slowly learns how to get serious
Quality of life: 08 - Berlin
Berlin continues to fascinate as it transforms in to a world-class city
Quality of life: 09 - Tokyo
An exceptionally challenging year for one of our favourite cities
Quality of life: 10 - Madrid
A transformed city ready to face the future, but at what cost?
Quality of life: 11 - Stockholm
It's good to be green, but architects would benefit from more freedom
Quality of life: 12 - Paris
The French capital finally learns that innovation is not a dirty word
Quality of life: 13 - Auckland
A unified council and a new start for the Rugby World Cup host
Quality of life: 14 - Barcelona
More connected than ever, but still in need of a spring clean
Quality of life: 15 - Singapore
A multiplying population poses challenges for Asia's "garden city"
Quality of life: 16 - Fukuoka
There's nothing marginal about one of Japan's most cosmopolitan cities
Quality of life: 17 - Hong Kong
Poised to play an ever greater role in the world order
Quality of life: 19 - Honolulu
Life's more than just a beach for the United States' island paradise
Quality of life: 20 - Vancouver
Vancouver has bounced back from a shaky start to the Winter Olympics
Quality of life: 21 - Kyoto
Japan's ancient capital has everything that Tokyo is lacking
Quality of life: 22 - Hamburg
Belt-tightening risks throwing away the cultural kudos of Hamburg
Quality of life: 23 - Lisbon
Lisbon is getting a much-needed jolt to clean up its act
Quality of life: 25 - Seattle
One of North America's bridgeheads for Asia has plenty to offer
Business Briefing: Ideas to steal - Perugia
The city: Perugia looks at getting people about in an Eco whilst sill accounting for the tourism industry, its needs and restraints
Business Report: Going South - Montpellier
Montpellier is the fastest-growing city in France and for Monocle it ranks as one the best cities for business. It supports new ventures, with many hi-tech companies setting up there, and has an enviable quality of life to boot.
Business Briefing: Local Heroes - Köln
GAG is a property-management company in Köln that owns a lot of housing in the tougher parts of the city.
Business Briefing: Local Heroes - Tokyo
Honey cocktails. Honey face lotion. Honey macaroons. All things honey-related take centre stage in a community project in Ginza, Tokyo.
Business Briefing: Local Heroes - San Francisco
Mission Chinese Food started out in a truck on San Francisco's Mission Street in 2008.
Business Briefing: Local Heroes - Florence
Most celebrity chefs' good works go no further than the dinner plate. Not Fabio Picchi.
Business Briefing: Local Heroes - Shanghai
Bonita Lim, owner of a fashion design firm in Shanghai called NuoMi (Chinese for "sticky rice"), employs residents with hardships that prevent them from holding down regular jobs – one woman is looking after sick parents, another couple has a child wit
Business Briefing: Ideas to steal - Singapore
The city: Singapore. The ideas in place, what to look for and more importantly, is it a good business model?
Business Briefing: Ideas to steal - Tokyo
The city: Tokyo. Taking the best ideas four ourselves with a look at Japans capital.
Business Briefing: Ideas to steal - Hong Kong
The city: Hong Kong. Is the railway system there something to be admired, and maybe even copied?
Business Briefing: Ideas to steal - Bogotá
The city: Bogotá closes in roads in favor of legs and foot powered wheels.
Culture Report: The Voice of the people - Global - Rick Kogan
His grandfather hawked newspapers on a Humboldt Park street corner. His mother wrote occasional articles for her one-time employer, the Chicago Tribune. And his father carved out a name reporting for all of the city's leading dailies over a half-century c
Culture Report: The Voice of the people - Global
Every city has a local media star – perhaps a television anchor, newspaper columnist, singer or author.
Culture Report: The Voice of the people - Global - Wladimir Kaminer
Russian-born author and DJ Wladimir Kaminer's tales of life in Berlin have amused and enlightened readers for more than a decade. "My story and Berlin's story are very intertwined," he says. "They both have two parts: before the Wall and after."
Culture Report: The Voice of the people - Global - Áurea Martins
Áurea Martins doesn't go to the beach and has never visited Rio's Christ the Redeemer statue. "It doesn't interest me in the slightest," the spritely 70-year-old jokes at her fourth floor apartment in Rio's Flamengo neighbourhood.
Culture Report: The Voice of the people - Global - Zeina Daccache
Lebanon's Zeina Daccache, gained popular acclaim with her role as Izo, the ditsy blonde on the political satire show Basmet al-Watan (The Nation's Smiles).
Design Report: Make do and Vend - San Francisco
San Francisco may be small in size, but it has always had big ambition. Now it's leading the way by putting small manufacturers and retailers at the heart of its urban agenda.
Culture Report: Patron Familias - Sydney
Sometimes it's not civic officials who shape the city but passionate families. In Sydney the Kaldors' cultural philanthropy is enriching their city.
Design Briefing: New tube - Poland
Warsaw's metro system is set for an upgrade in 2012, with a fleet of 35 new trains designed by the BMW subsidiary DesignworksUSA for Siemens.
Design Briefing: Beat box - Japan
A piece of architectural design in the mountains.
Design Briefing: Universe City - Global
The world's people will be living in smaller spaces in 40 years. Urban and social challenge?
Design Briefing: Causing a dim - Finland
Design Briefing: Wood works - Japan
What is it about The InBetween House that makes us pine.
Design Briefing: Q&A Aaron Renn
Aaron Renn is a Chicago-based urban affairs analyst and author of The Urbanophile blog.
Design Briefing: Lounging about - Denmark/Finland
There's no better time to invest in some sturdy outdoor furniture.
Design Report: Mapped Out - UK
Cycling navigation can be a nightmare and London suffers badly.
Design Briefing: Rise and Shine - Italy
Urban centres are by virtue noisy places. But this isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Design Report: Paradise in the City - Anywhere
Visit Munich or Melbourne, Seattle or Singapore and you'll come across 'almost perfect' places to live. However, at Monocle we've created the ideal mansion block, with nothing omitted in its design. Now, who's going to build it?
Fashion Briefing: Prom Party - Benidorm
For our summer shoot we're strolling beside the sea in crisp, bright separates, sleek swimwear and smart sunglasses.
The location? A once-mocked resort with some new-wave architecture.
Design Report: Breathing Space - London
When Monocle and sister company Winkreative had to hunt for a bigger London base, they opted for greenery, mid-century architecture and a central location. Welcome to Midori House.
Edits: Mellqvist Kaffebar - Stockholm
Every day, a substantial number of Birkastan's residents pass through Mellqvist Kaffebar
Edits: Market Lane Coffee
In the busy lane behind Prahran Market lies Market Lane Coffee.
Edits: Customs Brew Bar - Wellington
A showcase for pioneer Wellington roaster Coffee Supreme (see issue 32), Customs Brew Bar
issue 45: Property Of - Amsterdam
Property Of… is a far cry from the "coffee shops" that attract teenage hordes to less salubrious neighbourhoods in Amsterdam.
Edits: Le Marché St George - Vancouver
Since its opening last winter, the eight-seat Le Marché St George has been doing top drawer turns with beans from local roaster Oughtred.
Edits: Café do Forte - Rio de Janeiro
Cariocas often complain that the Brazilian military have the best views in Rio and Copacabana Fort is no exception.
Edits: Omotesando Koffee - Tokyo
Take one minimalist steel cube frame, drop it inside a traditional Japanese house, add to the mix some of the best coffee making in town – and end result? Omotesando Koffee.
Edits: Din Baghave - Copenhagen
For quality of life a local deli can make a real difference
Edits: Fourth Village - Sydney
"We are very much a local store and know many of our customers by name. Service is as important as what's on the shelves and you should never be too busy to say, 'hello'," says John Quattroville of the family-owned Fourth Village grocery store, which w
Edits: Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy
Seghezzo started out life in 1900 as a traditional drogheria in the Italian seaside town of Santa Margherita Ligure. Staff worked behind the counter and prepared packages of groceries or filled up an empty wine jug for a patron.
Edits: Panther Coffee - Miami
In a city known for its takeaway windows and cafecitos, Panther Coffee invites coffee lovers to linger and learn about the origin of their beverage from farm to plate.
Edits: To Pantopoleion - Athens
To Pantopoleion (meaning the grocery store that sells everything) stocks over 2,500 products including rare cheeses, pastas, wines and even snails cultivated in the town of Corinth.
Edits: 40 Hands - Singapore
With choices limited to sub-standard chain stores serving average coffee, until recently Singaporeans weren't terribly discriminating coffee-drinkers.
Edits: Nolita Mart - New York
New York's Chinatown is one of the city's most distinct neighbourhoods.
Edits: Green Aisle Grocery - Philadelphia
When brothers Adam and Andrew Erace (below) both moved to South Philadelphia's East Passyunk Avenue
My Last Meal: Your are what you eat - New York
Food is an entire philosophy for Alice Waters, founder of restaurant Chez Panisse in Berkeley
Expo: Rome
Rome's citizens will tell you that too many things just don't work in their city. But it still maintains an enviable quality of life with its markets, piazzas and architectural surprises.
Expo: Seoul
Many cities claim to be 24-hour party places.
But nowhere is a hedonists' dream quite like the South Korean capital. Sure, it's a dizzying mix of people, lights, traffic and consumption. But that's also its great appeal.
Expo: Buenos Aires
European cities battered by the economic crisis can look to Buenos Aires for inspiration. Since the country's collapse in 1999, the Argentine capital has kept its joie de vivre, and turned formerly run-down areas into cultural hotspots.
Expo: Kagoshima
A long, long way from Tokyo, this distinct, defiant, delightful city is unsung to the point that even the Japanese are hardly aware of it. And if you think the view across the Bay of Naples is spectacular…
Expo: Casablanca
You won't see many tourists idling around the crumbling mix of ancient and modern that is Morocco's largest city. You'll be hard-pushed to find much in the way of infrastructure either. Yet the locals adore the place.