Naturopolis

Naturopolis is a thought-provoking and visually striking documentary series produced by ZED in 2013. Presented as a trilogy, the show looks into the major challenge of the 21st Century - a rising demographic surge, resulting in vast urbanization, and its direct and indirect impact on the Earth's natural environments. Responding to this, the filmmakers outline the need to question and rethink our cities' relationship with nature in this innovative and insightful series.

The documentary series explores three major world cities: New York, Paris, and Rio de Janeiro. By choosing these highly symbolic cities renowned for their urban sprawl, Naturopolis provides viewers with a distinctive understanding of the complex dynamics between urbanism and nature. Each city serves as a case study, revealing how these iconic metropolises are progressively taking into account the natural ecosystems surrounding and within them.

In the first film, New York, known as a city of skyscrapers, concrete, and glass, the show reveals an unexpected New York. The filmmakers question how a city with eight million inhabitants is adapting and evolving towards a greener paradigm, allowing its population to reconnect with the environment. It tells stories about the High Line Park, the MillionTreesNYC initiative, and more.

In the case of Paris, the city of lights globally renowned for its architectural and cultural richness, Naturopolis investigates how it is reinventing itself as a sustainable city. The show explores how the urbanistic aspirations of Paris are intersecting with ecologically informed perspectives, leading to surprising green transformations.

Then, in the film about Rio de Janeiro—with its stark contrast between human development and natural populous—the episode immerses viewers in a city where nature and urbanism co-exist in an astonishing manner. As host of the 2014 Football World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics, the city’s efforts towards sustainable urbanization are spotlighted.

Naturopolis goes beyond simply portraying the environmental challenges we are facing today. The creators adopt a proactive, constructive, and sanguine stance, focusing on innovative approaches and solutions. They highlight pioneering projects and passionate people who are working tirelessly towards creating greener, more sustainable cities, thus setting an example for the world to follow.

The show is infused with a stark sense of reality and urgency, brought by the juxtaposition of urban growth versus the necessity to preserve ecosystems. Yet, it simultaneously offers hope—showcasing that despite these challenges, human ingenuity and commitment can carve pathways towards fruitful coexistence. Undoubtedly, the series includes breathtaking footage of both urban and natural landscapes, captured in high definition, bringing viewers up close and personal with these evolving urban ecosystems.

Notwithstanding its focus on nature and urban landscaping, Naturopolis isn't merely about architecture or green initiatives. It holds a broader social component, inquiring how such modifications affect city-dwellers’ lives and contribute to the infrastructure of the city. Furthermore, it paints a picture of social evolution, suggesting that when the city changes, its people change too. Thus, the series is about the interplay between nature, human beings and their built environment.

In sum, Naturopolis presents an alter vision for the future, where metropolises adopt a holistic approach, valuing and integrating nature rather than working against it, opting for a fluent conversation with the landscape that leads to sustainable living and improved life quality. By comparing and contrasting three diverse cities and their unique socio-environmental contexts, it opens a broader global conversation about the necessity and potential of an ecological revolution.

Whether you're a city dweller, an environmentalist, or just someone intrigued by the situation of the natural world within our modern urban society, Naturopolis offers an enlightening and engaging viewing experience. It goes beyond merely informing audiences about eco-friendly initiatives, to inspiring innovative thinking about how urban life can evolve more harmoniously with nature. With its high-quality production, insightful content, and forward-thinking message, Naturopolis invites viewers to envision a greener, more sustainable future.