Three films look at cities in the developing and developed world and explore the problems facing their citizens.
DETROIT, USA: The city of Detroit used to be a symbol of the industrial might of the USA. Now its factories have moved overseas in search of cheap labour. Former assembly workers freeze on the streets, forgotten ghosts of globalisation and the world financial crisis. "There's no work in Michigan… all you see is vacant houses," says one resident. Dozens of buildings in the city are abandoned, including twelve skyscrapers. What to do with these massive but useless architectural structures?The middle classes have fled to the suburbs and the streets have become dangerous. Bored teenagers beat up the handicapped homeless. Says one homeless resident: "It's just a bunch of chaos."
BEIJING, CHINA: Before the Olympics, many buildings in Beijing were demolished to make way for new malls, offices and apartments. Guo Guanyun's street was totally destroyed. "Good buildings and bad ones, they're all demolished, whether people want to move or not, everyone has to go." A new class of people wealthy enough to buy their own homes are benefiting from Beijing's makeover. But others are furious that they were evicted with nowhere to go without proper compensation - and they're fighting back. Startling footage shows outraged residents pursuing an official in his office. Says one citizen: "This is worse than the Cultural Revolution. Then property was confiscated, but it was returned afterwards. Now they will demolish it for good. I don't want that. Our homes belong to us."
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA: More than a decade after apartheid ended millions of South Africans still live in basic, home-made shacks. The city of Durban is trying to clear the shacks - but most shack-dwellers don't want to go. Life is insecure, unhealthy, and dangerous. Residents have no rights of tenure. The local authorities treat them as transient, even though several generations have grown up here.There's a shortage of lavatories. Refuse is often not collected. The authorities are building houses - but in places they can't afford to live because public transport isn't subsidised. Shack-dwellers who resist being moved are met with force. Says one shack-dweller: "Freedom is for those who have money. But low people, like us, even the law doesn't protect us."
DVD EXTRAS: Interview with David Satterthwaite, expert on urban poor in the developing world. Also: "Motortown Grooving" - Detroit's musical and industrial heritage.
Release Date: 2009
Duration: 60 mins
Redkite Order Code: GD189
