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Arts & Communication Integrating films in city planning and urban design

America depict the transformation of urban landscapes, heritage to attract tourism and investment, showcasing
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illustrating how economic, political, and social forces locations featured in popular movies. 11,12 Furthermore, the
shape cities. By documenting these changes, films provide portrayal of Venice as a 15-min city (a concept recently
a valuable historical record that can inform contemporary popularized and described by Carlos Moreno, academic
urban planning and policy-making. Moreover, Roma and architect ) in various films underscores the potential
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15
6,7
and Parasite offer contemporary perspectives on urban of compact, accessible, and sustainable urban living. In
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disparities and the social stratification inherent in modern addition, spatially organized narratives and observational
cities. Films can be educational tools that offer a compelling cinema offer unique insights into everyday urban life. City
way to learn about urbanism. Documentaries such as symphonies and montage techniques capture the dynamic
Urbanized and The Human Scale delve into the intricacies essence of urban environments, while spatial ethnography
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of urban design, presenting case studies and expert opinions and urban taxonomies systematically analyze city spaces. 11,12
that shed light on effective urban planning strategies. Films also engage with creative geographies, mapping, and
Even fictional films can stimulate critical thinking and the implications of climate change, balancing local and
inspire new ideas by presenting visionary urban concepts global perspectives. Films construct narratives around
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and highlighting the consequences of poor planning. cities and urban experiences. These narratives shape our
8,9
Similarly, Citizen Jane: Battle for the City provides an perceptions of cities and can influence urban planning and
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in-depth look at urban activism and the fight against urban design decisions. In conclusion, the relationship between
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renewal projects that threaten community vitality. For urbanism and cinema is profoundly interconnected. Films
example, Psychogeography (popularized by the Situationist reflect and shape our understanding of urban spaces
International movement) also intersects with cinematic and serve as a medium through which innovative urban
urbanism. Psychogeography explores the emotional and concepts can be explored and disseminated. By examining
psychological impact of urban spaces on individuals. Films cinematic representations of cities, we gain a deeper
like In the City delve into the everyday experiences of city appreciation of urban environments’ cultural, social, and
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dwellers and capture the moods and atmospheres of urban architectural dimensions, informing both theory and
environments, reflecting the psychogeographical aspects of practice in urban planning.
cities. Wings of Desire and The Lives of Others [Das Leben Cinema stands out as a uniquely spatial cultural
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der anderen] also use urban settings to explore deeper form, as it is best understood through the lens of spatial
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human connections and existential contemplations. organization. This encompasses the spatial elements within
The interplay between urbanism and cinema is films – the composition of the shot, the narrative setting,
multifaceted. Cities provide settings and audiences for films the geographical relationships between various settings in
and draw inspiration from cinematic depictions of urban a sequence, and the depiction of lived environments on
life. Cinema also allows for exploring urban narratives film. In addition, it includes the influence of cinema on
and the representation of urban life. Establishing movie actual urban spaces, the film industry’s spatial organization
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theaters and film studios have spurred urban development, at production, distribution, and exhibition levels, and
contributing to the growth of cultural hubs and iconic cinema’s role in globalization. Therefore, one of the key
landmarks. Moreover, cities often leverage their film arguments that we make about urbanism and cinema
in the education of urban planning and urban design is
14 Once Upon a Time in America (1984). Leone, S. (Director).
Embassy International Pictures. New York, NY. that cinema primarily functions as a spatial system. This
15 Roma (2018). Cuarón, A. (Director). Esperanto Filmoj. Mexico City, perspective suggests that, despite the traditional focus on
Mexico. textual analysis in film studies, cinema’s distinctiveness
16 Parasite (2019). Bong, J. H. (Director). Barunson E&A. Seoul, South lies more in its spatiality rather than its textuality. This
Korea.
17 Urbanized (2011). Hustwit, G. (Director). Swiss Dots. New York, spatial aspect allows cinema to uniquely illuminate the
NY. lived spaces of cities and urban societies, facilitating a
18 The Human Scale (2012). Dalsgaard, A. (Director). Final Cut for comprehensive understanding of cinematic themes, forms,
Real. and the industry within the framework of global capitalism.
19 Citizen Jane: Battle for the City (2016). Tyrnauer, M. (Director).
Altimeter Films. Los Angeles, CA.
20 In the City (2001). Wang, J. (Director). Dorna van Rouveroy 23 Moreno, C. (2024). The 15-minute city: A solution to saving our
Productions. Rotterdam, Netherlands. time and our planet. Wiley. Hoboken, NJ, United States [Carlos
21 Wings of Desire (1987). Wenders, W. (Director). Road Movies Moreno’s The 15-Minute City: A Solution to Saving Our Time
Filmproduktion. Berlin, Germany. and Our Planet presents a vision of urban living where daily needs
22 The Lives of Others [Das Leben der anderen] (2006). like work, shopping, and education are within a short walk or bike
Donnersmarck, F. H. (Director). Wiedemann & Berg Filmproduktion. ride, promoting sustainable, human-centered cities that reduce car
Berlin, Germany. dependency and improve quality of life].

Volume 3 Issue 1 (2025) 3 doi: 10.36922/ac.4130