This is a critical Review of the Documentary by National Geographic Megacities: New York. In this documentary various environmental issues are presented, this critical review will explore the issues presented. Present Environmental issues include; the increase in population highlighted by the expansion of buildings and public transport. Urbanization and the Urban heat island. The energy consumed by the construction, maintenance and use of public transport systems. Underground construction of transport systems and the interference with aquifers. Water used to clean public transport system. River systems utilised for local public transport in the busiest harbour in the world. Environmental issues that are not addressed in this documentary …show more content…
A city with a population of 8 million and a total of 75% inhabitants without vehicles, the Public Transport systems are how the masses get around.
The construction of the train system entailed the removal of earth beneath the buildings constructed above, and also beneath the river bed, two-thirds of the subway is below ground. The underground construction is from the north of the city to the south, and the east of the city to the west, 27 lines spread over 13,00km. 14 tunnels under rivers, 68 bridges over land and water.
In certain areas of underground tunnels there is interference with underground aquifers. The aquifers leak into the tunnels contributing to a very dangerous scenario. A century ago, New York city pumped billions of litres of ground water for space for trains to run underground. Today they are still pumping - the leak from groundwater, rainfall, and water main breaks. The Train system consists of 300 pumps which are manned 24/7 for security throughout rail system. 49 million litres of water per year disgorged from the rail system, flows into underground sumps and into sewers, all to keep the subway