C. The drawbacks of big cities What are the advantages and drawbacks of living in an urban area?
- the advantages of urban areas Urban settlement creates proximity to basic social amenities required in life. It provides employment opportunities since many industries and whitecollar jobs are found in urban settlements. It promotes cultural diversity between different people living and working in the urban settlements.
Hospitals, schools, libraries and other social amenities are located close to one another in urban settlements. This proximity improves accessibility as people can move easily from one location to the other. Easy accessibility to retail outlets improves business in urban settlement. A strong network of financial institutions, insurance companies and municipal councils improves commerce.
Movement in urban settlements is typically available due to presence of an elaborate transport system of taxis, buses and trains. People and goods can be transported easily without incurring high transportation costs. Urban settlements are home to job opportunities in different industries and offices. Wages in urban settlements are higher than in rural areas, which attracts many people to towns.
Employment in urban settlements is complemented by affordable housing services in towns. Urban settlement attracts diversified groups looking for employment and social services. This diversity leads to exchange of cultural ideas and beliefs. It also leads to social developments in art, music, religion, politics and fashion. https://www.reference.com/business- finance/advantages-urban-settlement- 56133e295023e6f2
- the drawbacks of urban areas : Lack of privacy The first major disadvantage is that the urban lifestyle necessitates the living in a crowded metropolitan area. This precipitates the reduction in privacy due to the little space in the urban setting and the fact that there are always activities taking place even at night.
The prime housing units are rented out at very high prices and the outright purchases are even more expensive.
Lack of open and green spaces In many urban settings, there are very few or even totally missing green spaces that a person could use to do some physical activity like walking. Parks and other open spaces provide the opportunity for the inhabitants to practice health promoting activities.
Pollution Urban centers are filled with motorized transport and other sources of pollutants like waste from the large populations of people. The urban centers have very little green cover which would provide a sink for some of the gases that are absorbed by the plants reducing their harmful presence in the atmosphere.
Tree cover also helps in producing oxygen and the clean air we breath in. So urban centers have a shortage in clean air unlike the suburban and rural lifestyles.
Sense of community Urban settings are very individualistic in nature and the sense of community that is very common in other areas is very rare to come across here. People are all concentrated on their own affairs paying little or no attention to their friends and neighbors. http://www.justluxe.com/community/5- disadvantages-of-urban-living_a_1890618.php
The buildings are close together and living in flats is a common option which means that one is always surrounded by other people which will always lead to reduction of privacy greatly.
Skyhigh rent prices Urban living brings a huge number of people together in the urban centers. This entire population of people has to be accommodated in some living quarters which mean that there is a huge demand for housing units. This great demand also leads to a sharp rise in the house rents for the scarce housing.