Some films to consider:
24 City (2008) – Plenty of Jia Jiangke films could work, but this one may fit best.
The Ball Shot by a Midget (1981)
Manufactured Landscapes (2006) – Lots on industrialization, but also urbanization, if I remember correctly.
Up the Yangtze (2007)
Yeongja’s Heydays (1975) – One of the best known examples of “hostess films” of 1970s Korea, in which women struggle any way they can to get by in the big city.
My Land (2015) – Sorry, I haven’t seen this yet so can’t attest to it’s quality. Looks good though: http://letterboxd.com/film/my-land-2015/
The Chinese Mayor (2014) – Also one I have yet to see but looks fascinating: http://www.sundance.org/projects/the-chinese-mayor
Perhaps also consider Ozu and/or Mizoguchi and the effect of urban life (tied up, most often, with modernization) on individuals in many of their films? Or the extensive use of high-rise roofs in Hong Kong films? Lots to consider, really…
You may also want to take a look at this essay about urbanization on Jeju Island in the latest edition of Cross Currents:
https://cross-currents.berkeley.edu/e-journal/issue-17/tran
Keep the list updated on how it goes.
Nathan Lancaster <lancaster.102@osu.edu>