A Better New York City: WPA's Urban Revitalization, 1937

This silent film from 1937 documents the extensive Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects aimed at enhancing infrastructure, public facilities, and community services in New York City during the Great Depression.

It begins with scenes at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where warehouses and streets are under construction, highlighting the military and industrial support provided by the WPA.
The film shows the repair of wharves, the laying of sewer pipes, and the removal of outdated streetcar tracks, indicating improvements in the city's transportation and sanitation systems.
Urban renewal efforts are captured with buildings being razed along East River Drive, making way for new development.
Cultural preservation is evident with the reroofing of the New York Public Library, ensuring that this vital institution can continue to serve the public.
Educational initiatives are portrayed through the creation of relief maps of the city, which could have been used for teaching geography or urban planning.
Artistic contributions are shown with the installation of a stained glass window in the West Point Academy dining hall, blending historical preservation with modern craftsmanship.
The film also focuses on education and social welfare, depicting children learning handicrafts, offering specialized instruction for retarded readers, and showcasing activities at nursery schools, emphasizing the WPA's commitment to education and childcare.

This film illustrates the WPA's multifaceted approach to revitalizing New York City, from infrastructure development to educational and cultural enhancements, all aimed at improving the quality of life during challenging economic times.