Swiss TV series explores life in the world's most crowded cities this holiday

A new series on Swiss broadcaster SRF is taking viewers on a virtual tour of some of the world's most crowded cities. 10 vor 10 will explore urban life in Chongqing, Utrecht, Medellín and Copenhagen over the holiday period. The programme also highlights how population density shapes these places in very different ways.

Behind the scenes, editor Jonas Glatthard leads the project, supported by frontend developers Balz Rittmeyer and Robert Salzer, with Marc Heer handling design. The series comes as global urban density figures draw fresh attention. Dhaka holds the record for the highest population density worldwide, with 34,000 people packed into every square kilometre. Manhattan follows closely in the U.S., where 28,800 residents occupy the same space, making it the most crowded county in the country.

In Europe, Paris stands out with roughly 20,755 people per square kilometre. Switzerland's densest city, Geneva, reaches 13,100 residents per square kilometre, according to data from the Federal Statistical Office. However, the United Nations notes that its own urban density estimates often include broader metropolitan areas, which can skew comparisons.

The 10 vor 10 team faced challenges when researching certain locations. Missing data on Aarau's population and Dhaka's exact density made it impossible to calculate precise area figures for some comparisons. Despite this, the series will still offer a detailed look at how cities function under intense population pressure.

Each episode will focus on a different location, from the steep hills of Medellín to the cycling-friendly streets of Copenhagen. The programme aims to show how infrastructure, culture and daily life adapt when space is at a premium. The series will air during the holiday season, giving audiences a chance to see how cities around the world manage high population densities. While some figures remain incomplete, the episodes will provide a snapshot of urban living in four very different places. The team behind 10 vor 10 has worked to balance data with real-world stories, offering both insight and visual exploration.