Welcome to Varanasi: One of the oldest Cities in the World!

Habitats of the World: The City That Tried to Build a Perfect World | Investigate Asia Auroville, a utopian community in southern India founded in the 1960s, is built on the ideals of unity and human harmony. Its visionary architecture blends with communal living, from distinctive homes and gardens to the iconic Matrimandir. Residents share how life unfolds in a city designed for cooperation and shared purpose, showing how architecture can shape not just spaces, but the way people live together. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Welcome to Investigate Asia - Explore the diverse landscapes of Asia through in-depth documentaries that delve into the region's politics, economy, culture, and history. From ancient traditions to modern innovations, our content offers a unique perspective on the forces shaping Asia today. Join us on a journey to better understand one of the world’s most dynamic and influential regions. Whether you're a history enthusiast or curious about global affairs, this channel is your gateway to discovering Asia.

The Megacity of Micro Homes | Habitats of the World: Tokyo | Investigate Asia Tokyo, a city rebuilt from scratch twice in the 20th century, is a place of striking contrasts: colossal urban sprawl interspersed with ingenious micro homes. Faced with extreme population density and limited space, many residents have embraced "micro-architecture" to create intimate living spaces in this vast metropolis. In Shibuya, a family lives in a 3-meter-wide, three-story home ingeniously nestled between a parking lot and a building. This 89-square-meter house offers tranquility amidst Tokyo’s hustle and bustle. Elsewhere, a young woman describes how her family’s 60-square-meter home necessitates carrying out some daily activities, like reading, outside—a lifestyle epitomized by Tokyo’s vibrant manga cafés. Architect Manabu Maya showcases the possibilities of micro-living, presenting one of Tokyo’s smallest houses at just 16 square meters. These homes, scattered throughout the city, redefine the urban landscape with creativity and playfulness, offering a human-scale counterpoint to Tokyo's towering standardization. The city is enormous and chaotic, yet Tokyo’s micro homes reveal how people reclaim space to create intimate, livable environments in one of

Mumbai: The Infernal Megapolis | Investigate Asia It’s one of the most populous cities on the planet with 22 million inhabitants, predicted to increase to 30 million by 2035. Nicknamed ‘the infernal Metropolis’, Mumbai is a city in perpetual development. But with millions of people living in slums located on valuable real estate, how can city planners balance the competing needs of the population? In Dharavi, the largest slum in Asia, over one million people are packed into the 2 km. slum. But although its residents are poor, there’s a real dynamism. Mahesh, 27, was born and lives in this slum and would never leave it. He runs a recycling plant and employs around 20 people. Dharavi’s underground economy is thought to generate 800 million euros per year. But it also lies on prime real estate in the very centre of Mumbai so its future is in doubt. Every day, new towers of glass or concrete emerge from the earth. With the support of the municipality, real estate tycoon, Babulal Varma, razes slums to build luxury apartments for the upper

Since the Taliban seized power in August 2021, Kabul has transformed into one of the most dangerous cities on Earth. This investigation plunges into a capital gripped by fear, oppression, and a looming famine. Follow the daily lives of those who stayed behind: a female journalist risking her life to report, a former judge hiding from those he once sentenced, and a US-trained soldier marked for death. A raw look at the crushing of women's rights and the daily struggle for survival under the new regime.

Tokyo by Night: Secret Japan | Investigate Asia Hyperactive and frenetic by day, Tokyo transforms by night, revealing a totally different side of Japanese society. We come across eccentric characters who speak of a Japan that is mysterious and inaccessible to foreigners. A world where traditions are expressed but so are the flaws and failings of Japanese society. In Kabukicho, the capital’s red-light district, the latest trend is “hosts” clubs. Here, young men are paid to keep customers company and to flirt with them. The one rule: no sex! An astonishing business born from the immense loneliness experienced by the Japanese. The job may be lucrative, but the young hosts are worn down by the night-shifts and the astronomical quantities of alcohol they guzzle down each night. Equally disconcerting for Westerners, the phenomenon of “Idols” sees hundreds of groups of very sexy singers and dancers idealised by the Japanese. They view them as their virtual girlfriends. Asuka is one of Tokyo’s most respected nightlife personalities. She is ‘Mama-San’, an heiress to the Geisha tradition. She runs the city’s most exclusive

Earth on Edge: Indonesia | Investigate Asia In 2004, the tsunami that devastated Southeast Asia did not spare the province of Aceh, north of the island of Sumatra, and killed nearly 170,000 people. It’s a catastrophe still very present in the collective memory of the inhabitants. Beyond the one-time disasters, the country is hit hard by the consequences of global warming, with torrential rains that cause flooding. While 40% of the city is below sea level and the capital is sinking, the government has launched a colossal project to save Jakarta: constructing a giant waterfront dike. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Welcome to Investigate Asia - Explore the diverse landscapes of Asia through in-depth documentaries that delve into the region's politics, economy, culture, and history. From ancient traditions to modern innovations, our content offers a unique perspective on the forces shaping Asia today. Join us on a journey to better understand one of the world’s most dynamic and influential regions. Whether you're a history enthusiast or curious about global affairs, this channel is your gateway to discovering Asia.