Urban planning is a complex task, and policymakers must take responsibility for ensuring that infrastructure not only serves the economic interests of areas but also ensures the quality of life for residents. Some people believe that communal spaces are necessary in cities and towns. I agree with this perspective; however, there are also some economic considerations for this public decision-making.
There are benefits to constructing public outdoor spaces in urban areas. The primary advantage is that such spaces can serve as dynamic centers at the heart of the city, tailored to their specific location and purpose. For instance, Nguyen Hue Walking Street offers a spacious area amidst the bustling and narrow confines of District 1, allowing people to participate in daily group activities as well as host public events like music festivals and spring flower festivals. In addition to this, public spaces can also be environmentally friendly areas where individuals can engage in regular activities that help their physical and mental well-being. To demonstrate this, Hanoi, being famous for its large number of natural lakes throughout its districts, has public green parks integrated with these lakes. These are good places for citizens to do daily morning exercises, take a walk in the evening, and organize camping on the weekend.
However, carefully implementing policy strategies is essential to safeguarding economic interests and effectively utilizing communal spaces for their intended purposes. Firstly, most public outdoor spaces are located in economically affluent areas of the city, so some people argue that this land should be prioritized for developing urban infrastructure that has higher economic value, such as commercial buildings and luxury apartments. Secondly, the existence of nearly forgotten public spaces is undeniable. Trinh Cong Son Walking Street in Hanoi serves as a typical example. This area was reported as deserted just a few months after its opening due to a lack of clear purpose and entertainment appeal. Nonetheless, according to the arguments in the previous paragraph, such kinds of public spaces are still necessary for quality of life in residential environments. Therefore, urban planners need comprehensive strategies to ensure the intended purposes of public spaces as well as not to waste economic resources.
In conclusion, I would agree that it is reasonable to have large communal spaces in urban areas due to their advantages for dynamic lifestyles and the overall well-being of people. Notwithstanding, urban planners should not overlook the importance of implementing suitable development strategies for these public spaces to strike a balance between the economic interests of towns and the quality of life for locals.