I can’t wait to see this film. I first blogged about here when they were raising funds to complete the film.   If Hustwit’s previous two films, Helvetica and Objectified are any indication, Urbanized should be amazing!

Based on the first reaction at the première at the Toronto Film Festival, the film lives up to the hype.  Indeed, the only empty seat in the house was one reserved for Tor0nto Mayor Rob Ford.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jpN8kI0-pY

About Urbanized

From the website:

 

Urbanized is a feature-length documentary about the design of cities. [It] looks at the issues and strategies behind urban design and features some of the world’s foremost architects, planners, policymakers, builders, and thinkers. Over half the world’s population now lives in an urban area. 75% will call a city home by 2050. But while some cities are experiencing explosive growth, others are shrinking. The challenges of balancing housing, mobility, public space, civic engagement, economic development, and environmental policy are fast becoming universal concerns. Yet much of the dialogue on these issues is disconnected from the public domain.

Who is allowed to shape our cities, and how do they do it? Unlike many other fields of design, cities aren’t created by any one specialist or expert. There are many contributors to urban change; including ordinary citizens who can have a great impact improving the cities in which they live. By exploring a diverse range of urban design projects around the world, Urbanized frames a global discussion on the future of cities.

Screenings

There will be a special screening in Phoenix on October 2nd as part of Phoenix Design Week. It will take palce at the Valley Art Theatre with director Gary Hustwit. So far no Vancouver dates have been set. When they are, I’ll let you know.