About

Urban World Review is an English-language publication about the places and systems that make up city life. It is for curious readers who want to understand why streets, buildings, public spaces and transport look and work as they do.

What we cover

We explain urban design and city form through visible features: a street's layout, a building's relationship to its surroundings, the shape of a public square or the logic of a transport network. Our subjects include design principles, historical context and the everyday choices that shape how people experience a place.

How we approach it

We start with a clear question, define unfamiliar terms and separate observation from interpretation. Articles aim to give readers useful ways to look at places without pretending that one design choice works everywhere. We do not offer professional planning, legal or safety advice, and readers should consult appropriate local sources where a decision depends on rules or conditions in a particular place.

Who it is for

You do not need to work in architecture, planning or transport to follow along. We write for people who live in cities, visit them, study them or simply want to notice more on the next walk.