Urban Planning Barbie
Hi, Barbie!
This summer, the Barbie movie became one of the highest grossing films ever made. Directed by Greta Gerwig, the blockbuster follows Barbie (played by Margot Robbie) and Ken (played by Ryan Gosling) as they explore Los Angeles and discover the many joys and perils of being human.
Part of the film takes place in Barbie Land, a pink and plastic city complete with shopping malls, restaurants, and of course, a beach. On screen, Barbie Land looks like a dream – a utopia painted in pink.
But this Urban Planning Barbie wants to know: How perfect is it really? This post will explore what the Barbies got right and what they could do to make their home even more fantastic.
Transit
As Barbie drives through town in her bubblegum pink convertible, she frequently removes her hands from the steering wheel to wave at fellow Barbies. This is arguably a major driving hazard, even though Barbie never seems to accelerate above 10 miles per hour. The roads also curve leisurely through town, which likely discourages any Barbies from zipping through the pink-brick streets. Unfortunately, there are no discernible crosswalks, bike paths, or forms of public transportation in Barbie Land. The sidewalks, while wide, don’t feature any curb-cuts and are often interrupted by stylish lamp posts. This would make Barbie Land an absolute accessibility nightmare. So, while Barbie Land seems to be fairly walkable, it also seems to be built more for cars than for pedestrians (or roller skaters).
Housing
Barbie and her Barbie friends live on a cul-de-sac in what appears to be the suburbs of Barbie Land. The homes have few (if any) walls or windows and feature whimsical architectural elements such as slides and plastic-filled swimming pools. While each home is slightly different from the next, there is nevertheless a sense of unity and cohesion . . . in addition to a complete lack of privacy. Fans of Jane Jacobs can feel comforted knowing that there are eyes on the street . . . and in the yard . . . and in the home.
The urban core of Barbie Land features brightly colored mixed-use structures. Assuming that there are retailers on the street and apartments above, the downtown area is likely very walkable and dense – a New Urbanist’s dream.
So, whether you’re the type of Barbie who likes to live in dense urban areas, the sunny suburbs, or in whatever Weird Barbie’s house is, there’s a home for you in Barbie Land.
Parks & Open Space
The Barbie Land beach plays a central role in the film. It’s where many of the characters come together to socialize, have fun, and even hash out drama. In this way, the beach serves as a type of public square in Barbie Land – it’s a space that’s open to everyone and accommodates a variety of outdoor activities. Town squares and plazas have long been cornerstones of urban design, and the beach in the film certainly serves this purpose.
When Barbie and Ken arrive in Los Angeles, viewers experience a stark contrast between the bright, plastic world of Barbie Land and the urban spaces that exist in the real world. Without a doubt, both places have some improvements to make before they can be considered shining examples of urban planning and design.
But, Los Angeles and other cities have one quality that Barbie Land doesn’t: They’re real.
Thanks for reading, Barbie!
- Urban Planning Barbie