"Down by the Water" Documentary

"Down by the Water" Documentary Project
"Down by the Water" Documentary Project

Blue Five Collective

2025

Vertical

Water

Geography

North America

Media Type(s)

Documentary FilmPodcast

Tags

WaterDocumentaryMedia ProductionEquitySocial Justice
In a dense urban landscape grappling with inequality and climate risk, one ambitious waterfront development in the South Bronx navigates complex partnerships, innovative financing, and deep community roots to build a blueprint for resilient, equitable cities of the future.

Credits

Production Company

Executive Producers

  • Andrew Marconi
  • Sivan Schlecter

Overview

"Down by the Water" is a new multi-channel media property exploring how communities are actively meeting the challenges of climate change through waterfront land development, shaping an era of renewal along our shorelines. It delves into themes like climate resilience, equity, and accessibility, sharing inspiring human stories from the front lines of transformation.

The project is a collaboration of Blue Five Collective, a collaborative between Five59 Labs and Out of the Blue Solutions.

Learn more at DownByTheWater.org

The series takes participants to the edge of transformation in waterfront neighborhoods, exploring key themes such as resilience, equity, accessibility, and the convergence of people, culture, and climate solutions. This aligns directly with vital topics in sustainable development, the impact of design on communities, and the future of the built environment.

Audience

The target audience for Down by the Water includes individuals interested in environmental issues, climate change impacts, urban development, community resilience, sustainable design, real estate development near waterfronts, and social impact.

Format

This multi-format approach—combining a podcast and a documentary series—allows for deeper exploration through audio while providing powerful visual storytelling, crucial for capturing imagination and making the narrative unforgettable. The project's focus on relevant and impactful themes like climate resilience and community empowerment demonstrates market viability by aligning with current trends.

Creative Direction

"Down by the Water" centers on a compelling narrative using powerful visual and audio storytelling to explore how communities are meeting the challenges of climate change and shaping an era of renewal along our shorelines. The intended mood and style will bring viewers and listeners "to the edge of transformation" in waterfront neighborhoods, highlighting themes of resilience, equity, accessibility, and the convergence of people, culture, and climate solutions through plain, authentic talk.