UN Habitat’s Urban Planning and Design Lab, with participation from partners and stakeholders held the premiere of the Urban Labs Movie opening to rave reviews and a full house at the ongoing Habitat III conference. Two panels of local stakeholders from partner cities of the Urban Labs followed the screening by discussing the role that the Urban Labs played and continue to play in the sustainable development of their cities.

The documentary showcases the network of Urban Lab’s activities across the globe. Specifically, the focus was on five teams funded by Dutch creative industries that have worked for a year on planning projects in Ghana, Myanmar, Gaza (featured in the short movie below), Philippines, Mexico. The creative industries teams contributed to the Global Network of Planning and Design Labs, with the objective of strengthening and extending the impact of the planning lab and creating a global community of practice.

In 2016 the Netherlands Creative Industries Fund joined hands with UN Habitat Urban Labs. In 5 countries on 4 continents groups of architects, planners and urbanists analyzed the rapid urbanization and together with local experts they developed plans to tackle this or to streamline it. The design teams developed tailor made plans and created a solid foundation for the implementation of the solutions just for the locations.

MEDIAHQ has ben following the process for over a year, filmed on the locations with the design teams and presented the film at the HABITAT III conference in Quito in October 2016.

It is a perfect showcase of solution oriented Dutch urban planning. Research by design to contribute to a safe, just and sustainable world.

About MediaHQ: Media HQ is a Nairobi and Amsterdam based production house, specializing in making high quality video's and multi media platforms for and with NGO's Multi laterals and Multi nationals. By being based in Africa where we have hands on access to producers, researchers camera crews and post production specialists we can produce fast, good and for a fair price. Media HQ is run by Alexander Valeton, a Dutch creative producer with over 15 year of experience producing in all corners of the world for international broadcasters, NGO's Multi laterals and commercial clients.

via > Media HQ TV + MediaHQ on Vimeo and UN Habitat