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Arts & Communication Integrating films in city planning and urban design

environments. It raises critical questions about the In stark contrast, The Truman Show portrays the idyllic
authenticity of urban spaces designed primarily for and meticulously designed Seahaven Island, a suburban
entertainment and surveillance. The film suggests that, coastal town epitomizing the principles of the New
while visually appealing, such environments lack the Urbanism movement. Seahaven’s cheerful and harmonious
depth and unpredictability that characterize real urban atmosphere conceals its underlying artificiality, with
life (Bordwell, 1998). In addition to its critique of media perfect streets and pristine homes masking the lack of
control, The Truman Show explores the psychological genuine human spontaneity. New Urbanism promotes
impact of living in a constructed reality. Truman’s journey walkable neighborhoods, mixed-use development, and
toward self-awareness and his ultimate quest for freedom community-centric designs, which Seahaven superficially
reflects broader human desires for authenticity and self- embodies but ultimately undermines through its controlled
determination. The film’s portrayal of Seahaven Island as and surveilled environment. 32,33
both a utopia and a prison underscores the paradox of
suburban perfection. Through its unique narrative and 3.3.2. Narrative perspective
setting, The Truman Show offers a profound commentary Blade Runner is a science fiction noir film that follows
on the intersection of urban design, media, and personal Rick Deckard, a detective tasked with hunting down rogue
freedom. It challenges viewers to consider the implications androids in a bleak future – the narrative explores into
of living in environments where every aspect is manipulated themes of urban decay, identity, and the moral implications
and monitored, and it underscores the need for genuine, of technological advancements. The film’s exploration
spontaneous human interactions in urban spaces. of a dystopian city highlights the disintegration of social
and physical structures under the weight of unchecked
The film The Truman Show offers a fascinating lens 4
through which the principles of New Urbanism are technological and corporate power. In contrast, The
examined. Set in the meticulously designed, fictional town Truman Show is a satirical drama that chronicles the life
of Truman Burbank, an unwitting participant in a reality
of Seahaven Island, the setting exemplifies New Urbanism’s television show. The narrative focuses on Truman’s growing
ideals, such as walkable neighborhoods, esthetically awareness of his fabricated existence and the impact of
pleasing architecture, a safe and secure environment, and constant surveillance and media manipulation on his sense
a strong sense of community. Seahaven’s orderly streets, of reality. The film critiques the commodification of life and
charming houses, and public spaces are reminiscent of the artificiality inherent in meticulously planned suburban
the planned communities advocated by New Urbanist environments, raising questions about authenticity and
planners, who seek to create environments that promote personal freedom. 34
social interaction and reduce reliance on cars. However,
The Truman Show also critiques the potential downsides of 3.3.3. Urban critique
such controlled environments, highlighting surveillance, Blade Runner critiques the consequences of uncontrolled
lack of privacy, and the artificiality that can come with technological advancements and corporate dominance
overly managed urban spaces. Through its depiction in shaping urban environments. The film portrays a city
of Seahaven, the film underscores the delicate balance
required in urban planning to create livable and authentic where economic disparities are stark, and the urban
landscape is dominated by mega-corporations prioritizing
spaces without compromising individual freedom and profit over human well-being. This vision of urbanism
spontaneity.
reflects concerns about the loss of humanity and ethical
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3.3. Key differences between cases: Blade Runner considerations in the face of rapid technological progress.
and The Truman Show (short analysis) Conversely, The Truman Show critiques the artificiality of
suburban lifestyles and the pervasive influence of media.
3.3.1. Esthetic and atmosphere Seahaven Island represents an extreme form of New
Blade Runner presents a dark, dystopian urban Urbanism, where the principles of creating pleasant and
environment characterized by towering skyscrapers, livable communities are twisted into a controlled and
flying cars, and perpetual rain. This esthetic emphasizes surveilled spectacle. The film highlights the superficiality
urbanization’s alienating and oppressive aspects, and lack of authenticity in environments designed
showcasing a cityscape where technological advancements primarily for esthetic appeal and consumer satisfaction. 35
have led to environmental degradation and social decay.
The film’s vision of a futuristic Los Angeles exemplifies 3.3.4. Conclusion
post-urbanism, where eclectic and often chaotic urban Blade Runner and The Truman Show offer distinct
forms reflect a breakdown of traditional urban planning. cinematic lenses to examine urbanism and the city. Blade
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Volume 3 Issue 1 (2025) 8 doi: 10.36922/ac.4130