Now on newsstands, this issue of Azure takes a look at 10 ways cities are planning for the future. Whether it’s a subsonic commuter line that connects Montreal to Toronto in less than 30 minutes, off-grid communities that reduce energy consumption while generating electricity, or studying sewage to predict – and potentially prevent – virus and disease outbreaks, a shift is being felt across the globe to make cities run smoother and healthier. We also explore how urban parks and green spaces have moved from an afterthought to an important aspect of urbanization, and a powerful weapon in the fight against extreme weather and climate change.
A healthy and vibrant city always has a strong cultural scene, and in this issue we visit two distinct museums in two different cities. In San Francisco, Snøhetta’s 10-storey addition to the iconic SFMOMA is as visually stunning on the outside as the modern artwork found inside; and in Quebec City, OMA New York and Montreal firm Provencher_Roy deliver an elegant and modest glass-wrapped structure for the new Pierre Lassonde Pavilion at the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec.
Plus: Our favourite moments from NYCxDesign; the latest in contract furniture and design from NeoCon; MVRDV’s transparent glass-brick façade for a Chanel boutique in Amsterdam; and a hotel in rural Portugal that is a minimalist’s dream retreat.
The September 2016 issue is now available in Canada, and hits U.S. newsstands on August 15. Get yours now: for single copies go to shop.azuremagazine.com; to subscribe, go to azuremagazine.com/subscribe.