West Side Story and the City: Urban Planning in Film

How do the films we watch reflect the physical and social landscapes of our cities? Using the classic musical West Side Story as a primary lens, this course examines the deep connections between cinema, mid-century urban planning, and neighborhood displacement. You will discover how the fictional turf wars of the Upper West Side mirrored the real-world clearance of San Juan Hill to make way for Lincoln Center, revealing how popular culture documents urban change. By reading through historical analyses, architectural critiques, and policy reviews, you will develop a sharp eye for reading urban history through the medium of film. You will learn to identify how zoning laws, housing discrimination, and infrastructure projects shape both physical neighborhoods and the cultural narratives surrounding them. What you'll learn: - Understand the historical context of mid-century urban renewal policies and their representation in popular media - Analyze West Side Story as both an artistic masterpiece and a historical document of displacement - Evaluate the social impacts of major infrastructure projects on marginalized urban communities - Identify key urban planning concepts such as eminent domain, tenement clearance, and civic revitalization - Apply critical reading skills to decode urban planning themes in modern cinematic works This course begins with essential terminology, defining core concepts in urban planning, zoning, and social history before diving into the specific cinematic analysis of the film. You will progress through thematic readings that connect the script and choreography to the changing landscape of postwar New York City. This text-based course is designed for beginners, film enthusiasts, and students of urban history. No prior knowledge of urban planning, architectural theory, or film studies is required. Start reading today to uncover the hidden urban history behind one of cinema's most famous stories.