World’s Smart Cities
5pm, National Geographic
In the 1950s and 60s, the Californian port city of San Diego had a bad rep; as National Geographic’s Andrew Evans says: “You really didn’t want to come here.” Now? The “green and clean” San Diego is evolving “from industrial border town to leading hi-tech hub”. Added to the miles of beaches, there’s now an enviable central library, streets teeming with electric cars (“and the infrastructure to support them”) and an old-fashioned sense of community. Even its “Global Hawk” drone is being used for a nice reason. Ali Catterall
Iolo’s Great Welsh Parks
7pm, BBC2
A crazy golf course, a boating lake and a botanical garden are three reasons why you should visit Swansea’s Singleton Park, the first of several parklands and historic estates that Iolo Williams explores in this new series. Williams investigates what a local peregrine has had for tea, there are foxes and a parakeet to track down, plus an experiment with two long-tailed tits. AC
An Island Parish: Falklands
8pm, BBC2
Summer is over and as the series ends the residents of the Falklands gather their diddle dee berries to stock up on jam. In other local delicacy news, vet Steve Pointing is checking out fishing boats that have arrived in Stanley to bag some lucrative South Atlantic squid. Cedric the penguin, meanwhile, is recuperating in Steve’s shed after being attacked by a sea lion and governor Nigel Haywood is retiring. Will he get the 17-gun salute the islanders have planned? Gentle? Yes. Gripping? No. But there’s moderate penguin cuteness. Hannah Verdier
Britain’s Greatest Generation
9pm, BBC2
Almost everyone who can remember serving in the second world war is at least in their 90s. This series reflects upon how that generation rose to the challenge in 1939. Tonight’s opening episode reminds us that their sense of common purpose was not a given, the 20s and 30s having been a period of upheaval. A valuable perspective upon today’s 70th-anniversary VE Day celebrations, which are live on BBC1 at 2.45pm, with highlights on BBC2 at 7.30pm. Andrew Mueller
Slow Train Through Africa With Griff Rhys Jones
9pm, ITV
The last leg is in South Africa, starting on the ultra-modern train from Pretoria to Johannesburg, and the rattly old one to Jeppe that was blacks-only under Apartheid. Jones notes past injustices, without making them too much of a bummer: getting the loot out of diamond mines in Kimberley required railways, which proved handy for plundering gold, too. He also has a bath on Africa’s answer to the Orient Express. It’s fun and reasonably informative. Jack Seale
Tony Robinson’s D-Day To Victory
9pm, Discovery
This documentary marking the 70th anniversary of the end of the second world war spotlights the use of 3D technology during the conflict. The allies used 3D cameras to take long-range photos vital for the planning of Operation Overlord, while the Nazis created stereoscopic portraits of the Führer for propaganda purposes. Unseen photos are the hook, but Robinson’s interview with Victor Gregg, a paratrooper caught up in the disastrous battle of Arnhem, paints the most vivid picture. Graeme Virtue
Have I Got Election News For You
9.30pm, BBC1
The same privileged old guard, the unchanging rituals, the forced smiles and occasional moments of genuine delight: yes, the enduring satirical panel show and the general election were clearly made for each other. Still, in the runup to the election, the media has been filled with political behaviour even more ludicrous than usual, all of which should be fecund ground for Paul Merton and Ian Hislop. Jo Brand hosts tonight, while comedian Romesh Ranganathan and newsreader Jon Snow help uncover the truths behind the manifesto promises. John Robinson
Today’s best live sport
International Cricket: Ireland v England A one-off one-day international in Dublin. 10.30am, Sky Sports 2
IPL Cricket: Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians From the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. 3pm, Sky Sports 1
Championship Football Brentford host Middlesbrough in the first leg of the opening play-off semi-final. 7.30pm, Sky Sports 1
Super League Rugby: Salford Red Devils v Huddersfield Giants Rugby league from the AJ Bell Stadium in Manchester. 7.30pm, Sky Sports 2
