TOPIC: More and more people in the city live in homes with small or no outdoor areas. Do you think it is a negative or positive development?
Urban environments are characterized by compact urban planning, where an increasing number of urban dwellers have limited or even no access to outdoor spaces. In my view, this is a negative development for several reasons.
The first problem of urban density can be seen in city inhabitants’ health. As their access to outdoor areas is limited, people in cities may struggle to find places where they can engage in physical activities, crucial to ensure one’s own well-being. This can be particularly problematic these days, since with the increasing consumption of sugary products, people are facing health issues such as obesity. Therefore, if outdoor areas to do physical exercises become limited, this may further exacerbate the problem of experiencing health issues in cities.
The second issue caused by compact urban housing is the potential for weakened social cohesion. Community centers—a part of outdoor spaces—usually play an important role in uniting people in each community. This is because cultural practices and traditional festivals are often carried out in these places, as is the case in Uzbekistan. In this country, people gather in community centers to celebrate traditional festivals, like Nowruz, which boosts a sense of community significantly. This explains how having limited outdoor places may affect social unity negatively.
Another negative effect of urban density can be correlated to worsened environmental conditions in cities. Green areas in urban areas are considered the main source of oxygen for urban dwellers in the world of concrete buildings, many factories, and an endless number of cars, most of which even release carbon dioxide. Hence, since the word “limited outdoor areas” can mean “limited green spaces,” we can conclude that urban density may escalate environmental problems in urban areas.
In conclusion, high density in cities can have serious consequences in many aspects of life, which makes me firmly believe that compact urban housing is negative. Among this trend’s many negative impacts, its effects on city populations' physical health, societal unity, and environmental conditions in urban areas can be the most concerning ones.
336 words.
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