On-air and online, we've rolled out an excellent local video series called "
Denver's Changing Neighborhoods," featuring a look at Denver's Living Streets model of urban community development. I caught up with Rocky Mountain PBS writer/producer Lisa D. Olken and videographer/editor Janine White during an editing break to find out more about the shoot.
Why did you make these video shorts? Olken: We created this series as part of a grant we received around "Blueprint America," a PBS program that looked at the infrastructure challenges of three cities across America, including Denver. We wanted to give our viewers a snapshot of how Denver is becoming a more livable, mobile and green city. It's exciting to know this new way of looking at neighborhoods and transportation is a national trend – and that many Colorado cities are developing similar urban models.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced? Olken: Illustrating the Denver Living Streets concepts in minute-long, visually appealing segments. The main concepts were mobility, walkable vs. non- walkable neighborhoods, healthful living, economic development and the impact that cars have on the environment. We traveled to eight different neighborhoods and videotaped many sites around the city that captured what people do, how they engage with their neighborhoods and how they move from one place to another.
White: Making it concise while capturing the heart of the story. Another challenge was the quick turnaround and incorporating creative ways to show the story on deadline.
What impact do you hope this film will have? Olken: I hope that as new developments are being planned and old developments are renewed and rebuilt, city planners will work to create a kind of "utopia" where people of all ages and mobility can walk, bike or bus to a nearby market for fresh food, have access to convenient and safe public transportation and feel engaged with their neighbors and neighborhood.
White: I hope the impact on viewers is that they would use alternate forms of transportation, get out there on their bikes and shop locally.
What's your favorite Denver neighborhood and why?
Olken: I like to walk, eat and shop in the area from West Highlands to Berkeley because of its wide sidewalks, tree-lined streets and benches and all the wonderful local merchants and eateries.
White: It's not a Denver neighborhood, but I love Golden because I can ride my bike everywhere, walk to the bookstore, grab a sandwich and sit by the creek and watch the kayakers go by.
What do you enjoy about your work for RMPBS? Olken: I enjoy being deeply engaged in my community and sharing stories, ideas, issues and people with our public television viewers.
White: I love capturing moments on camera and telling a story.
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Have any questions for Olken or White? Thoughts about the videos? Share them here on Panorama.
-Elizabeth Mayer, Rocky Mountain PBS
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For more information about the Living Streets model, visit
Denverlivingstreets.org.
