The Magnificent Three: The Invention of the Global City

It all begun in 1585 as the small city of Amsterdam, in a few decades, gradually became the first world city in human history. Watch the story of Amsterdam ascension and growing dominance on world trade, and the spectacular innovations that made it possible. Across the Channel, London is not yet the challenger that it will soon become - but the City is growing and finds its destiny: commerce and finance will be its weapons to conquer the world. Amsterdam and London, twin cities in many ways, will soon fight each other to lead the rising global economy.

As Amsterdam is at its peak and becomes the third largest city in Europe, London gradually takes the lead, and a third player enters world history: New Amsterdam, once a Dutch city, is eventually conquered by England and becomes New York. Watch London changing into a modern city after the 1664 Great Fire and fight Amsterdam with the help of French monarchy. Against all odds, the Netherlands eventually conquers London and changes history for always. At the end of the 17th century, Amsterdam, exhausted and ruined by wars and battles, leaves the world scene... but its heritage is well and alive.

Watch how New York, just two decades after the war of independence, makes its way through and becomes the great challenger of London. During the 19th century, both cities will experience industrial revolution, modernity and the enormous challenge of migrations and mass poverty. Both cities will give their own answers - one becoming the largest in the world, the other reinventing itself to become the first vertical city in history.

First in history, London and New York turn to gigantism and open the way to the city of tomorrow. New York invents the skyscraper and the skyline, new concepts that will revolutionize urbanism and shape the cities around the world. London, the heart of the British Empire and the wealthiest city on earth, faces pollution, with its deadly consequences, and cannot overcome its huge poverty problem. Through economic booms and crisis, through war and reconstruction, watch London and New York, through the 20th and the early 21st century, solving their enormous urban challenges and becoming the cities they are today.