Some people argue that it is more important to plant trees in open spaces in cities than to build more housing. I completely disagree with this opinion because providing enough accommodation should be the top priority in urban areas.
Firstly, housing is a basic human need, while green spaces are not essential for survival. In many cities, especially large ones, the population is increasing rapidly, which causes serious housing shortages. If governments focus mainly on planting trees instead of constructing homes, many people will be forced to live in overcrowded or unsafe conditions. This can lead to social problems such as homelessness and higher living costs, which affects people’s quality of life more directly than the lack of trees.
Secondly, building more houses does not mean that cities cannot be environmentally friendly. Modern urban planning allows green elements to be included within residential areas, such as small parks, gardens or trees along streets. Therefore, it is possible to meet housing demands while still protecting the environment. In contrast, planting trees alone cannot solve urgent issues like rising rent prices or lack of affordable housing.
Finally, economic development also depends heavily on housing availability. Workers are more likely to move to cities where accommodation is accessible and affordable. Without enough homes, cities may struggle to grow and attract labour, even if they have many green spaces.
In short, although trees bring environmental benefits, I strongly disagree that they are more important than building housing in cities.