A city guide to the boroughs of 'Zootopia' 

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Here\'s what you\'ll see in each of the animated animal locales.

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Brian Truitt, USA TODAY 12:12 p.m. EST March 3, 2016

Filmmakers and cast discuss the creation of an animal metropolis in an exclusive behind-the-scenes video for Disney's animated "Zootopia." Disney

Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) see the sights around the world of 'Zootopia.'

As a kid, Rich Moore always worried about the animals living in the city who seemed to be out of their element in children’s books.

“I would wonder, ‘God, isn’t that polar bear burning up in New York in that suit and carrying a briefcase?’ ” says Moore, who directs Disney’s new animated film

 (in theaters Friday) with Byron Howard.

Putting creatures in the right habitats, while also having them exist alongside other species, became a creative design experiment for the filmmakers as they created the richly detailed Zootopia.

'Zootopia' animal world reflects human issues

Bucolic Bunnyburrow is the hometown of rookie rabbit cop Judy Hopps.

Adorable rabbit Judy Hopps\' journey to becoming Zootopia’s first rabbit cop begins in her hometown, roughly 200 miles away. It’s a bucolic countryside full of woodland animals and “salt-lick-of-the-earth rabbits,” Moore quips, though originally it was intended to have more of "a Willy Wonka/Candy Land" vibe. But the filmmakers felt they had to present Judy (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) as a girl from the simple life, so “when (audiences) get into this bizarre metropolis, they have something to anchor back to reality,” says Howard.

Everything else branches out from the water fountain in Savanna Central.

The mix of animal species is most apparent in this core area of Zootopia that not only has a bustling train station but also City Hall and the Zootopia Police Department, where Judy meets Chief Bogo (Idris Elba). Its heart is a fountain in the central plaza “that\'s meant to be the watering hole the whole city evolved from,” Howard says. “It’s the Tigris and Euphrates, if you will, of the animal metropolis.”

Watch: Idris Elba rolls through 'Zootopia' as Police Chief Bogo

Sahara Square originally was intended to be based on Dubai but ended up seeming a bit more Mexico City.

Gazelle (Shakira) performs a big concert in this sandy neighborhood of camels. The filmmakers conceived it as a Dubai or Monte Carlo, but found it reminded them more of Mexico City with its ritzy hotel with intricate palm-tree designs and naturalist club with Moroccan-like architecture. Says Moore, “You have super-modern buildings and then a few blocks beyond are very old ones that have all this antique character.”

Cute critters rule animation 'Zootopia' in 2016

Tundratown is a cool place for those animals who enjoy living in icy conditions.

When foxy dude Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) joins Judy on a case, their investigation leads them to the coldest environment in Zootopia and its shrew crime boss, Mr. Big (Maurice LaMarche), who employs polar bears as his intimidating security team. It’s one of Moore’s favorite spots because of its nods to Russian Byzantine architecture, ice floes that work as people movers and cannons that blast snow into the air. “There’s a 3 o’clock blizzard every day that keeps it all nice and white and chilly,” Howard says.

Sneak peek: 'Zootopia' pairs unlikely pals

What Greenwich Village is to Manhattan, Little Rodentia is to Zootopia — though in much smaller form. In one scene, Judy chases a perp through the community while making sure not to step on any of its furry little citizens. Moore says Little Rodentia has a “turn-of-the-century, old New York feel to it.” He also notes the tiny town has a "miniaturized feel to it where even the traffic light bulbs are really big.”

There are several livable layers in the Rainforest District.

Towering artificial structures called steam trees take water from the river, while sprinklers maintain moisture in the upper residential areas, where characters like jaguar chauffeur Mr. Manchas (Jesse Corti) live. The area is full of branches and walkways that makes it feel treacherous, Moore says. "It’s for animals with a really good sense of balance. If (a human) were to walk around, you’d be doomed.”

The first rabbit to join the police force in peaceful 'Zootopia' must prove she has the chops to crack a bewildering case of animals going wild. VPC

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