On Set with The Urbanization Project: Colombia Edition
Continuing our comprehensive public engagement and storytelling work with NYU Stern's Urbanization Project (see earlier posts here and here), we were thrilled to accompany their Urban Expansion team to Colombia last week to document the work of Valledupar's visionary mayor, Fredys Miguel Socarras Reales, as he make's room for his city's rapid expansion.
Politicians aren't traditionally incentivized or rewarded for long term planning, which makes this effort all the more compelling, as he's working to benefit future generations of Valleduparians. Simply put, we need to make positive examples of visionary public officials and policy makers if we're to witness and benefit from fundamental change in our world, and we were honored to help make this happen in Colombia.
Crafting a visually compelling story about a city planning for its expansion (as opposed to implementing its expansion plans- think road graders and construction workers) was a challenge we were eager to take on, as this sort of intellectual storytelling is quickly becoming some of our favorite work. This is the type of story that, while not always the sexiest, needs to be told, and we are in an excellent position to provide end to end production services, from concept and treatment ll the way through post-production. It takes an organization like NYU Stern's Urbanization Project to recognize and fund such work, and we're thrilled to work with them to further their efforts.
For more background on the Urban Expansion Initiative's making room paradigm, we'd recommend this introductory video that we made earlier this year. In short, cities cities can and should make room for orderly expansion, because it'll ensure that they remain inclusive, equitable, and affordable for their residents as they rapidly expand.
A big, big thank you goes out to our amazing production partners, including our Director of Photography: Dave Anderson, and production all stars: Mono Films.