Media urbanism is

media urbanism = media + urbanism, or urbanism + media

Each can benefit the other, and they have been doing so for generations. But it takes knowledge and skill to make it happen.

Definitions (Oxford English Dictionary)

  • media
  • “a means of mass communication” or “a physical object used for the storage of data”; also plural of medium, “any raw material or mode of expression used in an artistic or creative activity”
  • urbanism
  • “urban life or character; also urban development and planning”

Media urbanism encompasses a broad range of subjects and activities at the intersection of two fields – media and cities:

  • The planning, development, and analysis of film, television, animation or video game studios in urban settings and urban economies
  • The business, logistics, and creativity of location filming in cities and towns
  • Digital imagery of the built environment in movies, video games, websites, social media, or software
  • Public policy in media, the arts and culture and their contribution to city growth
  • Creative communities and networks (filmmakers, designers, artists) within and between cities
  • Media distribution, exhibition and audiences in cities, suburbs, and towns (movie theaters, television, video streaming)
  • Temporary or permanent media and artistic interventions in the cityscape (museums, galleries, movie theaters, pop-up cinemas, audio-visual installations)
  • Development of audio-visual technology designed for cities (geo-location apps, interactive mapping, AR/VR experiences of cities and their heritage)