A number of years ago, I stumbled across the best
presentation I’ve ever seen. It was
about the evolution and emerging ideas for the City of Philadelphia. Ignoring for the moment the merits of the plan
and in hindsight, whether or not it was on the mark, the presentation is
fascinating for how it conveyed a message.
Lacking high-tech computer graphics, the most ambitious piece of
technology in the whole thing was what appeared to be the steps used to enter a 1950s propeller plane.
The presentation was by Edmund Bacon, the Director of the Philadelphia
Planning Commission. (If you knew him, you were one degree of separation from
Kevin Bacon.) Mr. Bacon and his
colleagues successfully conveyed in simple graphics the origins of the form of
the city. This film was followed two
decades later by a series of short films on the evolution of London, Paris and
Rome, which, in the same low-tech way, use historical drawings and walking to
show how the cities we know today evolved from big idea thinking from a few
individuals.
These films are the building blocks for our upcoming Baconfest film series, where we will
present these and other urban short studies covering a range of issues, from
the historic Social Life of Small Places
to a real eye-opener titled Where
Children Play. Our goal is to
encourage a dialogue among not only planning junkies, but anyone interested in
their neighbourhood, community and city.
Our
playlist has something for everyone. I’m sure the film will generate
discussion on many issues facing Calgary as it matures and grows into the
vision of the Municipal Development Plan.
Without a doubt, the first film, Form,
Design & the City, will present ideas on how best to engage the public
on complex ideas. And The Social Life of
Small Places will change attitudes about what constitutes good public
space.
Cities across North America are dotted with barren,
windswept outdoor plazas thought indispensable but largely unused. Give me a busy sidewalk with small shops any
day. Welcome to our film festival. Please try to attend each film over the next
few weeks, but if you cannot, read the film descriptions to find the ones of
greatest interest. We look forward to
your participation as we plan and implement our nextCITY.
Baconfest runs from 6-8pm
on January 8, 15, 22, 29 and February 12, 19, and 26 at the Dutton
Theatre (second floor of the Calgary Central Library). For more information
please visit: www.calgary.ca/baconfest.
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