Documentary Film Series: Cities for Free: Part 1

Deane Simpson (Other), Archie Cantwell (Other), Jeppe Nielsson (Other)

Publications: Other contributionResearch

Abstract

‘Cities for Free?’ is an ongoing documentary series developed by a team of researchers at the Royal Danish Academy and directed and edited by Archie Cantwell. It explores the origins and evolution of the ‘Copenhagen model’ of urban development – focusing on the publicly-owned development company, By og Havn. Internationally celebrated as Copenhagen’s ‘Secret Model for Regenerating Cities’ for its role in lifting Copenhagen from near-bankruptcy in the 1990s without raising taxes – the model has also receiving growing criticism in the Danish context.

The series focuses on By & Havn’s, the City of Copenhagen’s and the state's controversial plans to build Lynetteholm, which among other goals is intended to climate-secure Copenhagen. To date, the project has been criticized for its underlying assumptions; for its haste; for shortcomings in its democratic engagement and environmental assessments; and for the legal fragmentation or ‘salami slicing’ of its components – but also for the capacity of the model to deliver an affordable or ‘blended city’.

Valuing informed debate over unexamined dogmas, ‘Cities for Free?’ interviews experts from all sides of the table. The series aims to contribute to a more informed and urgent local debate, and to a broader international discussion in which the ‘Land Value Capture’ model, and megaprojects in general, are increasingly questioned.

Credits:
‘Cities for Free?’ Is directed by Archie Cantwell, a visiting researcher at the Royal Danish Academy, in collaboration with Professor Deane Simpson and Jeppe Nielsson from the Royal Danish Academy. The music is made by Cosimo Flohr. The project is supported by the Statens Kunstfond and the Royal Danish Academy.
The first section interviews Anne Skovbro, CEO of By & Havn; Ole Birk Olesen, Member of Parliament for the Liberal Alliance and former Minister of Transport; Luise Noring, Associate Professor at CBS; Curt Liliegreen, CEO of the Housing Economics Knowledge Center at Realdania; and Hans Thor Andersen, research leader at Build, Aalborg University.
Consisting of three parts overall, the next episode shifts its gaze from history to debates on Lynetteholm's environmental impact, while the third episode explores possible alternative models and approaches Copenhagen's urban development. Episode two is planned for release in the first half of 2022.
The film is in English.
Original languageEnglish
Publication date2021
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Keywords

  • Urbanism
  • Urban Development
  • Climate Adaptation

Artistic research

  • No

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