Citizen Jane: Battle for the City (2017)

Set against the ever-evolving backdrop of mid-twentieth century New York City, Citizen Jane: Battle for the City unfolds a riveting chronicle of opposing visions for urban life. The two primary figures in this monumental tug-of-war are Robert Moses, a high-ranking urban development official, and Jane Jacobs, a Manhattanite, journalist, and author of "The Death and Life of Great American Cities". Moses, a staunch advocate of urban homogeneity, views the city's chaotic neighborhoods as flaws to be razed, replaced by towering high-rise buildings and sprawling expressways. His vision caters to the surge in population, aiming to efficiently transport people from the expanding affluent suburbs to the urban nucleus. His planned monoliths, often tagged as "the projects", serve as social housing for those unable to afford suburban life. On the other side, Jane Jacobs, a resident amidst the city's "chaos", perceives an organic, humanistic interaction within the perceived disorder. To her, the city's vibrancy and livability stem from these multi-generational bonds, something that Moses's sterile, impersonal constructions fail to foster. Their ideological clash crescendos over a series of key urban projects, painting a vivid picture of their divergent perspectives. As an afterthought, the film visits the burgeoning urban landscapes in several developing nations, suggesting a worrying trend of these regions adopting Moses's aggressive approach. These developments, potentially the slums of tomorrow, underline the urgency and relevance of the battle that once dominated the streets of New York. Citizen Jane: Battle for the City is a compelling exploration of urban evolution and the enduring struggle for a city's soul.

Citizen Jane: Battle for the City is a documentary movie featuring Thomas Campanella and directed by Matt Tyrnauer.

It is possible to buy Citizen Jane: Battle for the City on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.