Making Sense of Place Film Series A documentary film and educational outreach project launched by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

The film series, a collaboration of the Lincoln Institute and Northern Light Productions, is airing on public television stations across the country. For a list of dates and times, click here.

Making Sense of Place is a documentary film and educational outreach project launched by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. The first film, Phoenix: The Urban Desert examined explosive, dispersed growth in the booming Southwest metropolis and the practical and environmental issues that have accompanied. The second film, Cleveland: Confronting Decline in an American City, traces urban decay, and efforts at revitalization, in what was once America's 5th largest city. The third film, Portland: Quest for the Livable City, explores innovation and conflict about growth and land use regulation, in Portland, Oregon.

The focus of the Making Sense of Place film series is growth and change in large metropolitan areas, through the eyes and voices of residents. As such, the films reflect not just an in-depth portrayal of specific cities, but the much larger issues about how we live and how we grow, that have been largely missing in the national conversation: metropolitan growth in the context of environmental concerns, population and demographic trends, equity and race. By mid century, the U.S. population is expected to increase by 120 million. Where and how will these new Americans live, work, and play? How will settlement patterns shift along with the coming inevitable changes in energy sources, and the need to address climate change?

The Making Sense of Place films have already served as a catalyst for community dialogue and educational activities, in Arizona, Ohio, and Oregon. Typical activities are screenings in various venues, whether community centers or universities, followed by panel discussions and town meeting forums. The use of the films is also encouraged as part of a curriculum package for secondary schools and college level courses.

In a new initiative that will ultimately include all three films, Cleveland: Confronting Decline in an American City, in its entirety, is now available for streaming.

Trailers