In recent years, there is an increasing growth in housing demand in big cities. Constructing more tall buildings is arguably the best remedy to provide sufficient houses in these urban areas. Personally, although building more tall apartment blocks is an acceptable solution, there are some better ways to address this problem.
Admittedly, building tall apartment blocks is partly working, as these apartments are relatively space-saving and affordable, which can effectively meet the needs of individuals with low income. However, this system holds some drawbacks. One major disadvantage is the limited outdoor space. This can significantly exacerbate residents’ overall health, including both physical and mental well-being. It might particularly limit the social skills and intellectual abilities of children. Moreover, in fact, many buildings are not equipped with sufficient safety security such as fire protection systems and frequent maintenance, which can be dangerous to residents, thereby reducing the quality of life. Although there are many buildings offering adequate outdoor space and safe facilities, they are mostly luxurious and cannot be afforded by people with low and middle income.
Therefore, more effective and appropriate solutions should be introduced. One potential strategy is widening large-scale public transport systems such as the subway or bus. This allows employers to travel within a longer distance but more time-saving. This means it is unnecessary for them to hire or purchase an accommodation in the city center, which can effectively alleviate the housing demand placed on both citizens and these urban areas. For instance, in developed countries with well-organised and high quality traffic systems like Japan or Sweden, people find it much more convenient and swift to travel between their homes and the workplaces. Furthermore, the government should distribute job opportunities more fairly. If people in rural areas can access job opportunities as in the cities, they do not need to flock to the cities to look for brighter career prospects.
In conclusion, although building more tall apartment blocks seems to be the best solution, I contend that these buildings might pose a detrimental risk to people’s well-being and safety. Therefore, large-scale public transport systems and an equal job distribution should be implemented as alternative strategies.