Megacities

Watch Megacities

  • 2011
  • 1 Season

Megacities is a stunning four-part documentary series from Acorn Media that showcases the world's largest cities and their ever-evolving nature. The show takes viewers on a journey to some of the most populous and dynamic urban centers on earth, examining the challenges and opportunities that arise as cities grow and transform.

The first episode of Megacities focuses on Tokyo, Japan, where we see how the city has been dealing with a rapidly aging population and a lack of space. Tokyo is one of the densest cities in the world, and resources are becoming strained as the population grows. The episode also touches on Tokyo's incredible technological advancements, including robots that are being developed to help the elderly in their daily lives.

The second episode of Megacities examines Mexico City, which is one of the largest and most densely populated cities in the world. Mexico City is known for its stunning architecture and bustling street life, but it also has a dark underbelly, with high levels of pollution, crime, and poverty. The episode looks at the struggles that residents of the city face, including access to water and air pollution, and the ways in which they are working to address these issues.

In the third episode of Megacities, we travel to Cairo, Egypt, a city that dates back thousands of years and has a rich cultural heritage. The episode explores the challenges that Cairo is facing as it continues to grow, such as traffic congestion, overcrowding, and air pollution. We also see how the city is innovating to address these challenges, for example by developing a new rapid transit bus system.

Finally, the fourth episode of Megacities takes us to London, England, a city that has experienced enormous growth and transformation over the past few decades. The episode explores how London has become one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, with a diverse population and thriving arts scene. However, it also looks at some of the challenges that the city faces, such as economic inequality and rising housing costs, and the ways in which Londoners are fighting back.

Throughout each episode, Megacities showcases the beauty, complexity and resilience of each city, while also shedding light on the challenges that arise as they continue to grow and evolve. The series is educational, entertaining, and visually stunning, with breathtaking aerial shots and intimate glimpses into the lives of the people who call these cities home.

Overall, Megacities is a must-see for anyone who loves travel and exploration and wants to learn more about the world's largest and most fascinating cities. Whether you're interested in the latest technological advancements or the struggles of everyday people trying to get by, this series has something for everyone. It's a fascinating, thought-provoking and entertaining look at how our world is changing, and what the future might hold for the cities that we call home.

Megacities
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Seasons
Sustaining the City
3. Sustaining the City
June 16, 2011
Highways, roads, rail lines, and subway systems are the arteries of the megacity--and just like human arteries, they can become dangerously clogged. Marr pedals a rickshaw taxi in Dhaka, flies with Mexico City's airborne traffic cops, and rides a high-speed magnetic railroad in Shanghai. He also finds out what London's fast food obsession is doing to its Victorian-era sewers.
Cities on the Edge
2. Cities on the Edge
June 9, 2011
How do you protect a city of 20 million people? Some of the dangers of the megacities are natural--earthquakes, floods, typhoons--while others are manmade. Marr takes an evasive driving course in the kidnap capital of the world and volunteers for the London police's riot unit. In Tokyo, situated on three of the world's most unstable geological fault lines, he learns how locals have planned for disaster.
Living in the City
1. Living in the City
June 2, 2011
The need to strike a balance between community and efficiency is nowhere more apparent than in megacities. Marr examines Shanghai's bursting-at-the-seams growth and the isolation of Tokyo. He also spends the night in a Dhaka slum--and despite its crime, pollution, and congestion, finds Mexico City an overwhelmingly friendly and livable place.
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  • Premiere Date
    June 2, 2011