BBC Documentaries

River rebound

Loading player...
When cities industrialise the rivers they were built around are first polluted, then turned into sewers and finally built over. It’s a pattern that’s repeated itself for 250 years from 18th century Paris to 21st century Manila. But across the world the fight is on to release and revive our urban rivers. They provide a cooling effect for overheated neighbourhoods, space for wildlife and a welcome place to swim or just dip your toes. Wild swimmer, rower and physicist, Helen Czerski meets the river lovers and the natural life that returns once the light is let back in.
4 Nov 8PM English United Kingdom Education

Other recent episodes

Ukraine v Russia: The drones race

The contest for technological supremacy, paving the way to future wars of algorithms. Across the skies of Ukraine and Russia, an arms race is unfolding in real time. Earlier this summer it seemed Ukraine had the edge when it delivered drone strikes deep inside Russian territory. But in recent months,…
11 Nov 8PM 46 min

Ten years of progress

To celebrate 10 years of People Fixing the World, Myra Anubi sits down with three regular contributors to talk about the ways the world has changed for the better over the last decade. While rarely making the headlines, huge improvements in healthcare, sanitation and the protection of the environment have…
10 Nov 8PM 27 min

The model trap: Exposing Jeffrey Epstein’s network

How was Jeffrey Epstein able to continue abusing young women for years after he became a convicted sex offender? BBC Eye has been speaking to survivors and analysing emails and documents in the Epstein Files to build up a picture of how a network of contacts in the modelling industry…
9 Nov 12PM 26 min

Restoring Libya’s Jasmine City

Derna, in eastern Libya, was devastated three years ago by the world’s deadliest flood disaster this century. About 4,000 lives were lost. Now, the historic Mediterranean port famous for its fragrant jasmine flowers has been rebuilt, with new roads, bridges, housing blocks, schools and medical facilities. Families that lost their…
9 Nov 5AM 30 min

Why Europe wants to rely less on US tech companies

Europe has long relied on America's tech giants to power its digital economy. Now, as geopolitical tensions rise, it is seeking greater control over its digital future through a push for digital sovereignty. We examine what is driving the push and what it could mean for businesses and consumers.
7 Nov 8PM 23 min
All episodes