In a reflective guest blog, city planner Noah Harper shares his disappointment with the film “Megalopolis,” directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Harper had hoped for a compelling narrative highlighting the ideological conflict between an architect, played by Adam Driver, and a mayor regarding the importance of preserving the past versus embracing necessary change. Instead, he describes the film as a confusing and overambitious work that contains only a handful of intriguing concepts within its lengthy runtime.
Harper expresses his personal experience as a community planner in Boston, where he grapples with the pressing housing crisis that threatens to displace residents, pitted against the public’s desire to maintain the existing architectural landscape. In the movie, New York City confronts similar challenges, with Driver’s architect proposing an entirely new neighborhood aimed at addressing these issues. While the character advocates for democratic discourse and community involvement, Harper criticizes the film for failing to embody these principles in its execution.
Highlighting a central issue, he notes that both the architect and the narrative overlook the significance of citizen engagement in urban planning. The film reduces the residents of this fictional city to mere background characters, portraying them as chaotic crowds or passive observers instead of active participants in the shaping of their environment. This misrepresentation echoes broader concerns in the field of city planning, where the voices of the community can often be absent in the decision-making process.
However, there is a hopeful takeaway from Harper’s critique: the growing awareness of the importance of inclusive planning. As professionals in the field strive to engage more effectively with communities, there is potential for a future where urban development genuinely reflects the needs and desires of all citizens. As we continue to evolve in our approach to city planning, it is crucial to remember that the best solutions come from collaboration and active participation, ensuring that our modern “utopias” serve the many, not just the few.
Summary: City planner Noah Harper critiques Francis Ford Coppola’s film “Megalopolis,” expressing disappointment in its failure to explore the needed dialogue between preservation and change in urban planning. He emphasizes the importance of community engagement in shaping environments and suggests that a more inclusive approach to planning could lead to better outcomes for all residents.