In many urban areas, city planners are focusing on constructing high-rise buildings instead of creating public parks. Although vertical development helps to maximize land use for growing populations, this essay believes that the lack of green spaces will lead to problems of public health which create drawbacks that far outweigh the benefits.
On the one hand, building more high-rise structures offers clear practical advantages for modern cities. Skyscrapers and high-density apartments can accommodate thousands of residents and businesses in small geographical areas, which directly tackles the problem of housing shortages. In addition, these developments often attract commercial investments and boost local economic growth. For instance, in fast-growing Asian cities like Ho Chi Minh City, modern high-rises provide housing for thousands of young workers while creating space for offices and shopping malls. However, this essay thinks that the disadvantages of this trend outweigh the advantages because of its negative impacts on urban living conditions.
On the other hand, the primary drawback of prioritizing high-rises over green spaces is the serious damage to public health. Without enough public parks, urban citizens lack places for physical exercise, outdoor recreation, and mental relaxation, leading to higher stress levels and lifestyle diseases. For example, many heavily built-up districts in dense Asian metropolises suffer from severe air pollution which is the main reason for many diseases . For this reason, this essay believes that replacing parks with high-rise buildings causes substantial health issues despite the economic benefits.
In conclusion, although high-rise development provides convenient housing and economic gains, this essay believes that the disadvantages are considerably greater. The long-term risks to physical and mental health, along with environmental degradation, make this urban planning trend more harmful overall.