Watch Urbanized

Urbanized is a mesmerizing and thought-provoking documentary film that explores the complexities of urbanization and the challenges faced by cities in the 21st century. Released in 2011, the film was directed by Gary Hustwit and features interviews with some of the most prominent architects, urban planners, and policymakers in the world.

The film is divided into three main sections, each focusing on a different aspect of urbanization. The first section examines the ways in which cities are designed and built, featuring interviews with some of the world's most renowned architects, including Oscar Niemeyer and Norman Foster. These interviews offer fascinating insights into the creative process of urban design and illustrate the ways in which architecture can shape the social and cultural fabric of a city.

The second section of the film delves into the challenges of urban planning, offering a critical analysis of the economic, social, and political forces that shape urban policies. This section features interviews with influential policymakers, including Amanda M. Burden, the former director of the New York City Department of City Planning. Together, these interviews paint a complex picture of the complex interplay between public policy and urban development, highlighting the trade-offs and compromises that must be made to build sustainable and equitable cities.

The final section of the film explores the experiences of everyday people living in cities, highlighting the ways in which urbanization affects their lives and communities. This section features interviews with residents of several different cities around the world, including Detroit, Mumbai, and Lagos. These interviews offer a humanizing perspective on the challenges of urbanization, highlighting the resilience and resourcefulness of people living in rapidly changing urban environments.

What sets Urbanized apart from other documentaries about urbanization is its attention to detail and nuance. Rather than presenting simplistic solutions to the challenges facing cities, the film offers a thoughtful and nuanced exploration of the complexities of urbanization. Through its interviews with architects, planners, policymakers, and residents of cities around the world, the film portrays the diverse and multifaceted nature of urban life, highlighting the ways in which cities can be simultaneously sites of opportunity and struggle.

Overall, Urbanized is a compelling and insightful documentary that will appeal to anyone interested in the future of cities. By illustrating the complex interplay between architecture, policy, and community, the film offers a rich and nuanced vision of what cities can be and what they must become in order to thrive in the 21st century.

Urbanized is a 2011 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.