Every year, Metropolis puts together an extensive list of exemplary projects and initiatives from around the world. Last year, that came in the form of “Powerhouse,” “Buzzing,” and “Inspirational” destinations. For this iteration, we’ve opted for something simpler: two cities from five major global regions (Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America). The selections run the gamut, from artisan-focused manufacturing in Dakar, Senegal, to a revitalized Communist-era public square in Tirana, Albania.

For each article, scroll through the slideshow below!

Memphis, Tennessee

A park in the city’s long-neglected downtown illustrates that small, community-led changes are afoot. A park in the city’s long-neglected downtown illustrates that small, community-led changes are afoot. Courtesy Davies Toews Architecture Memphis, Tennessee

A park in the city’s long-neglected downtown illustrates that small, community-led changes are afoot. A park in the city’s long-neglected downtown illustrates that small, community-led changes are afoot. Courtesy Davies Toews Architecture

Jakarta, Indonesia

A designer takes a novel approach to traditional materials, making a statement about the potential for a regional design identity. A designer takes a novel approach to traditional materials, making a statement about the potential for a regional design identity. Courtesy AlvinT Jakarta, Indonesia

A designer takes a novel approach to traditional materials, making a statement about the potential for a regional design identity. A designer takes a novel approach to traditional materials, making a statement about the potential for a regional design identity. Courtesy AlvinT

Tirana, Albania

The 430,000-square-foot Skanderbeg Square should intimidate but doesn’t. That has a lot to do with the plaza’s intricate design. The 430,000-square-foot Skanderbeg Square should intimidate but doesn’t. That has a lot to do with the plaza’s intricate design. Courtesy Filip Dujardin Tirana, Albania

The 430,000-square-foot Skanderbeg Square should intimidate but doesn’t. That has a lot to do with the plaza’s intricate design. The 430,000-square-foot Skanderbeg Square should intimidate but doesn’t. That has a lot to do with the plaza’s intricate design. Courtesy Filip Dujardin

Dakar, Senegal

The Dakar Next initiative hopes to change how design and artisanship are valued in Senegal. The Dakar Next initiative hopes to change how design and artisanship are valued in Senegal. Courtesy Moroso Dakar, Senegal

The Dakar Next initiative hopes to change how design and artisanship are valued in Senegal. The Dakar Next initiative hopes to change how design and artisanship are valued in Senegal. Courtesy Moroso

Tulsa, Oklahoma

An expansive new landscape by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates is energizing public life in the Oklahoma oil town. An expansive new landscape by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates is energizing public life in the Oklahoma oil town. Courtesy Gathering Place/Shane Bevel Tulsa, Oklahoma

An expansive new landscape by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates is energizing public life in the Oklahoma oil town. An expansive new landscape by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates is energizing public life in the Oklahoma oil town. Courtesy Gathering Place/Shane Bevel

Fukuoka, Japan

After a three-year renovation, the Fukuoka Art Museum reflects the coastal city’s international links, both past and present. After a three-year renovation, the Fukuoka Art Museum reflects the coastal city’s international links, both past and present. Courtesy SS Co., LTD/Shinichiro UEDA Fukuoka, Japan

After a three-year renovation, the Fukuoka Art Museum reflects the coastal city’s international links, both past and present. After a three-year renovation, the Fukuoka Art Museum reflects the coastal city’s international links, both past and present. Courtesy SS Co., LTD/Shinichiro UEDA

Valencia, Spain

A Valencia studio’s products draw upon the region’s cross-disciplinary creative networks. A Valencia studio’s products draw upon the region’s cross-disciplinary creative networks. Courtesy Santiago Relanzón Valencia, Spain

A Valencia studio’s products draw upon the region’s cross-disciplinary creative networks. A Valencia studio’s products draw upon the region’s cross-disciplinary creative networks. Courtesy Santiago Relanzón

Lima, Peru

In one of Latin America’s largest cities, an architectural duo marries traditional building techniques with a contemporary expression. In one of Latin America’s largest cities, an architectural duo marries traditional building techniques with a contemporary expression. Courtesy Barclay & Crousse Lima, Peru

In one of Latin America’s largest cities, an architectural duo marries traditional building techniques with a contemporary expression. In one of Latin America’s largest cities, an architectural duo marries traditional building techniques with a contemporary expression. Courtesy Barclay & Crousse

Algiers, Algeria

Amid political turmoil both past and present, the Algerian capital is ready for a new start. Amid political turmoil both past and present, the Algerian capital is ready for a new start. Courtesy Baghli Architects Algiers, Algeria

Amid political turmoil both past and present, the Algerian capital is ready for a new start. Amid political turmoil both past and present, the Algerian capital is ready for a new start. Courtesy Baghli Architects

Buenos Aires, Argentina

A local collective wants to tap into the megacity’s underutilized and overlooked spaces. A local collective wants to tap into the megacity’s underutilized and overlooked spaces. Courtesy Triba Buenos Aires, Argentina

A local collective wants to tap into the megacity’s underutilized and overlooked spaces. A local collective wants to tap into the megacity’s underutilized and overlooked spaces. Courtesy Triba





















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