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River Rebound

Helen Czerski meets the river lovers and how the natural life that returns.

When cities industrialise the rivers they were built around are first polluted, then turned into sewers and finally built over. It鈥檚 a pattern that鈥檚 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.

Release date:

27 minutes

On radio

Thu 5 Nov 2026 02:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 5 Nov 2026 02:32GMT
  • Thu 5 Nov 2026 09:32GMT
  • Thu 5 Nov 2026 20:06GMT
  • Thu 5 Nov 2026 21:06GMT
  • Sun 8 Nov 2026 00:32GMT
  • Sun 8 Nov 2026 04:32GMT
  • Sun 8 Nov 2026 14:06GMT
  • Sun 8 Nov 2026 22:32GMT