About the series

The Life-Sized City - 23 x 1 HOUR

It’s no secret, cities are changing faster than ever. On all continents, in every city, big or small, individuals and groups are taking the lead and bringing ideas to the streets. Together, they are creating modern resilient cities focused on the vision of the humans who inhabit them.

The Life-Sized City is a ground-breaking documentary series that explores the anatomy and vibrancy of the modern city, highlighting pockets of life-sized goodness in cities around the world.

Hosted by the boldly outspoken and charismatic Mikael Colville-Andersen, often referred to as the Anthony Bourdain of urban development, the series reveals inspiring stories from everyday citizens yearning for change and urban renewal.

Ideas once limited to a single neighbourhood, somewhere half way around the world, are brought to the screen to inspire people from just about everywhere. The Life-Sized City is a catalyst for organic urban change, a gallery of the best and the brightest minds and actions that are making our daily life better, from Medellín to Tokyo and back, via Paris, Bangkok,Detroit, Cape Town and Tel Aviv.

Each episode focuses on one city and on what makes it livable (or not) for its residents.

Mikael gives a voice to those who go above and beyond stereotypes and who dare to make a difference, from ordinary citizens to urban activists and political leaders. He is at the helm of intriguing and creative encounters with those who make up the social fabric that redefines city life, talking about public space, transport, family life, urban sprawl, bikeability and green initiatives – all on a human scale. Interacting with true urban heroes, he gets dirt under his fingernails and puts theory to practice as he takes part in surprising urban innovations.

SEASON 3 - EXTRA CONTENT

BUENOS AIRES — extra web

Despite Argentina's history of political and economic upheaval, the nation's capital Buenos Aires has remained relatively stable. But with millions moving to the city for a better life, the cracks in infrastructure and gaping income inequality are now overwhelming. In order to stem the tide, passionate locals have adopted a grassroots approach to tackling challenges big and small in order to ensure quality of life for all.

TAIPEI — extra web

The capital of Taiwan is a young city undergoing rapid change and development within a fragile governmental framework. While the island boasts one of the highest economic growth rates in Asia, it maintains a tenuous relationship with China that makes its future uncertain. Fortunately, the citizens of Taipei are loud enough for the entire country, and they will do what it takes to make their voices heard in order to move forward into a more transparent, greener future.

BARCELONA — extra web

Spain's second-largest city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, with around 30 million tourists visiting Barcelona each year. Given the city's small population of roughly 1.5 million citizens, however, the impact of tourism is significant and not all positive. Barcelona's rise in popularity has compelled locals to find solutions to reclaim their city, and make it more liveable.

BEIRUT — extra web

Once considered the “Paris of the Middle East,” the ancient city of Beirut has survived brutal civil war, ongoing conflicts with Israel, political assassinations and endless bombings. Amidst crumbling buildings, a major garbage disposal crisis and frequent black outs, Beirutis take everything in stride, because they understand better than most that nothing gets done unless you do it yourself.

NEW ORLEANS — extra web

When Hurricane Katrina ravaged the United States' Gulf Region in 2005, killing over 1800 people, displacing over a million and causing over 151 billion dollars US in damages, New Orleans was caught in the eye of the storm. The city itself lost nearly half of its population. Fifteen years later, the recovery is ongoing and has taken the form of mass tourism that is pushing out locals. But the city's resilience lies in its strong, multifaceted culture, and in its history of overcoming adversity. Local artists-turned-activists have joined forces to preserve New Orleans’ unique identity.

HAMILTON — extra web

Toronto has always cast a long shadow on the city of Hamilton, Ontario, for a number of reasons: it's bigger, it's more economically successful, and people want to live there. But times are changing. Young people seeking opportunities are priced out of T.O., and Hamilton is proving to be the place that can provide them with both affordable housing as well as opportunity. Hamiltonians want us to know that great things come in mid-sized packages, too.

SEASON 4 - EXTRA CONTENT

LOS ANGELES — extra web

Koreatown, Thai Town, Historic Filipinotown... With over 80 neighborhoods making up a rich, diverse hub, LA’s polycentrism is certainly its greatest asset... But overcoming the many underlying inequalities is no easy task. Rents have risen faster than incomes, and the city is experiencing a full blown housing crisis. Now, some claim that LA is entering a new phase of development. As the city is reinventing the art of sharing its resources, voters recently approved a new ambitious public transit plan. Angelenos have stated it loud and clear: they are ready for change. But one question remains: will their city — the city of dreams — be able to keep its promises?

BERLIN — extra web

Germany’s capital and largest city, Berlin is also a city of many contradictions. The rise and fall of the Berlin wall, one of history’s most infamous dividers, has had major impacts on the entire world. For almost three decades, guards, tripwires, mines and other (shameful) lethal defenses deterred most would-be escapees from the communist east to make a run for the cultured, cosmopolitan west. The city was reunited 28 long years later after its construction — almost overnight — in 1961. But decades of isolation left deep-rooted urban and social scars and lasting international repercussions. All of this, however, is the genesis of the city’s fascinating urban development.

ISTANBUL — extra web

Spawning each side of the Bosphorus Strait, the multi-layered city of Istanbul has seen its population multiplied by more than 12 times over the past 60 years. This ever-changing metropolis has all the challenges of rapid and uncontrolled urbanization: sprawl, traffic congestion, lack of public space or green space, housing crisis, pollution... On top of this, the complex geo-political backdrop of the region adds issues that most people in the world will never have to face: war, autocracy, terrorist attacks, refugee crisis, the list goes on. And yet the streets of this city are home to an estimated 15 million people who strive each day to make it more just, peaceful and liveable.

ANTWERP — extra web

Although Antwerp was once one of the biggest port cities in the world, a dynamic center for trade, commerce and culture, it no longer has the loud notoriety of some of the world’s other metropolises. This mid-sized walkable and bikeable city boasts gorgeous historical architecture, is incredibly diverse with some 50% of its citizens with a migration background and most importantly, has an incredible degree of involvement from its citizens. Countless groups are working together on multiple social and environmental issues. Citizens of Antwerp are collectively making the city and its neighbourhoods more sustainable, more democratic and more livable.

CALGARY — extra web

Let’s be honest: the city of Calgary doesn’t naturally come to mind when you think livability, sustainability and diversity. Canada’s oil capital and Alberta’s biggest city is more often associated with the Stampede, highways, oil drilling and suburban sprawl. But its economy is now diversifying, and so is the population. More and more immigrants are settling in, making it one of Canada’s most diverse cities. But how do you favor sustainability in an intrinsically car-oriented city? How do you foster diversity and equality in a city where individualism and capital accumulation has long been the trend? As always, it starts with the people. An increasing number of Calgarians want a different city — a new city — and they’re not going to wait.