Urban ecology is a fascinating field that examines how cities interact with the natural environment. These documentaries delve into the challenges and innovations of urban living, offering insights into sustainability, green architecture, and the impact of human activity on urban ecosystems. Whether you're an urbanite looking to understand your city better or an environmentalist interested in urban solutions, this curated list provides a deep dive into the complex relationship between cities and nature.
Waste Land (2010)
Description: Although not exclusively about urban ecology, "Waste Land" follows artist Vik Muniz as he collaborates with garbage pickers in Rio de Janeiro's largest landfill, highlighting issues of waste management and urban poverty.
Fact: The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
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Urbanized (2011)
Description: Directed by Gary Hustwit, this documentary explores the design of cities and how urban planning can address the challenges of population growth, housing, and sustainability.
Fact: It features interviews with architects, planners, and policy makers from around the world, including Enrique Peñalosa, the former mayor of Bogotá.
Watch Now Urbanized (2011)
Description: This documentary delves into the design and planning of cities, focusing on how urban environments can be made more sustainable and livable through thoughtful design and policy.
Fact: It was part of a trilogy of design documentaries by Gary Hustwit, following "Helvetica" and "Objectified."
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The Human Scale (2012)
Description: This documentary investigates how cities can be designed to better fit human needs, focusing on the work of urbanist Jan Gehl and his philosophy of creating cities for people, not cars.
Fact: It was nominated for the Best Documentary Feature at the 2013 IDA Documentary Awards.
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The Age of Consequences (2016)
Description: While not solely about urban ecology, this film connects climate change with national security, showing how cities are on the front lines of climate impacts, from rising sea levels to resource scarcity.
Fact: The film features interviews with military and political leaders discussing the strategic implications of climate change.
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The Pruitt-Igoe Myth (2011)
Description: This documentary examines the rise and fall of the Pruitt-Igoe housing project in St. Louis, exploring the broader implications for urban planning and social policy.
Fact: It includes interviews with former residents, providing a personal perspective on the project's history.
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The City Dark (2011)
Description: This film explores the consequences of light pollution in urban areas, revealing how it affects not only human health but also wildlife and the night sky. It's a compelling look at how cities can reclaim the darkness for the benefit of all.
Fact: The film was shot over four years in various cities around the world, including New York, Los Angeles, and Paris.
30 Days Free Urban Roots (2011)
Description: "Urban Roots" follows the journey of young urban farmers in Detroit, showcasing how they transform vacant lots into vibrant community gardens, tackling food deserts and revitalizing neighborhoods.
Fact: The film was an official selection at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival.
30 Days Free Greening the Ghetto (2012)
Description: This film looks at how urban agriculture can transform impoverished neighborhoods, focusing on projects in Harlem and the South Bronx, highlighting the social and environmental benefits.
Fact: The film features Majora Carter, an urban revitalization strategist, who has been instrumental in greening New York City's poorest neighborhoods.
30 Days Free The Garden (2008)
Description: "The Garden" documents the battle of South Central Farmers in Los Angeles to save their 14-acre community garden, one of the largest of its kind in the U.S., from being developed into a warehouse.
Fact: The film won the Audience Award at the 2008 Los Angeles Film Festival.
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