How cities are physically structured is one of the important factors of urban development. Although horizontal structure can offer some benefits, I believe the advantages of vertical structure are more significant.
Low-rise cities can enhance residents’ quality of life by providing spacious living environments. In this urban structure, houses are generally located further apart, allowing residents to have more private space which can be used for gardens or other outdoor activities. This, in turn, can provide residents with a greater sense of privacy and reduce the feeling of overcrowding. As a result, a more peaceful atmosphere can be created, eventually leading to lower level of noise in low-rise residential areas.
However, I would argue that living conditions in high-rise buildings are better. Firstly, vertical cities accommodate a larger population using less space, meeting the housing needs of residents. The more people live within the same area, the more reliant they become on public transport, decreasing the number of private cars moving within the cities. By doing this, a better transport network is created in urban areas. Another benefit of vertical cities is that it supports more efficient urban infrastructure. High-rise buildings integrate residential buildings with shops, offices and other public amenities and reduces commuting time between them. This, in turn, not only leads to a greater convenience in terms of time for residents, but also causes traffic congestion to decrease in cities.
In conclusion, although horizontal cities can offer some benefits in terms of convenience, It seems to me that vertical cities’ benefits are more significant, given their efficient land use and improved urban infrastructure.