Some people opine that a horizontal city is the most desirable place for residence, while others argue that the most suitable living location would be a vertical city. This essay shall scrutinize both views before an ultimate conclusion of why the latter is an optimal approach can be drawn.
Admittedly, a horizontal city is better suited to meeting the diverse needs of residents. In particular, spreading a city horizontally with a limited number of high-rise buildings can avoid excessive population density while providing ample open spaces and fresher living environment. Such spaces enable residents to participate in a wide range of outdoor social activities. People can, for instance, organize occasional family and neighbourhood gatherings, or have a place for gardening and sports, thereby enhancing both quality of life and overall well-being. Furthermore, residents’ safety can be better guaranteed when they live in a low-rise neighbourhood. With its straightforward nature of construction, low-rise housing allows swift and timely evacuation in the event of fire or natural disasters, compared to high-rise apartment complexes, whose multi-storey design makes escaping more challenging.
However, I believe that lack of accommodation can be effectively addressed by a vertical city. In the context of overpopulation, housing shortage has become an alarming issue in quite a few regions. High-rise buildings provide a potential solution to this problem, as they can accommodate significantly more inhabitants within the same amount of space compared to low-rise construction. This is particularly illustrated in Hanoi, Vietnam, in which a large number of apartment buildings are constructed to accommodate its rapid population growth. Another compelling advantage of a vertical city is environmental protection. Specifically, natural resources such as forests can be prevented from being converted into shopping malls or working places, since vertical buildings could provide built-in amenities. This merit can reduce residents’ commuting time and the usage of private vehicles, mitigating airborne pollution.
In conclusion, while horizontal cities offer several advantages, including accommodating inhabitants’ daily demands and ensuring their safety, I do believe that cities constructed vertically could deal with some humankind’s most pressing challenges, namely overcrowding and environmental contamination.