Urban sustainability is a hot topic in IELTS Writing Task 2, appearing frequently in recent years. As cities grapple with environmental challenges, questions about sustainable urban design are becoming more common. Let’s explore a typical question on this subject and analyze how to craft a high-scoring response.

Some people believe that designing environmentally sustainable buildings is the best way to create eco-friendly cities. Others argue that there are more effective methods to achieve this goal. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Analyzing the Question

This question follows a classic IELTS format, presenting two contrasting viewpoints and asking for your opinion. It focuses on the debate between architectural solutions (sustainable buildings) and other approaches to creating eco-friendly urban environments. To excel in this task, you’ll need to:

1. Discuss the merits of sustainable building design
2. Explore alternative methods for creating eco-friendly cities
3. Present your own perspective on the most effective approach

Sample Essay (Band 8-9)

Here’s a model essay that demonstrates the qualities of a high-scoring response:

Urbanization has led to increasing concerns about environmental sustainability, sparking debates on the most effective ways to create eco-friendly cities. While some argue that designing environmentally sustainable buildings is paramount, others contend that alternative methods are more impactful. This essay will explore both perspectives before presenting my own view.

Proponents of sustainable architecture argue that buildings are major contributors to urban environmental issues, and addressing this through design is crucial. Energy-efficient structures with features like solar panels, green roofs, and advanced insulation can significantly reduce a city’s carbon footprint. Moreover, sustainable buildings often incorporate water conservation systems and use eco-friendly materials, further minimizing their environmental impact. The widespread adoption of such designs could transform urban landscapes into more sustainable ecosystems.

However, others maintain that creating truly eco-friendly cities requires a more holistic approach. They argue that focusing solely on building design overlooks other critical factors such as transportation systems, waste management, and urban planning. Implementing comprehensive public transport networks, for instance, can dramatically reduce emissions from private vehicles. Similarly, effective recycling programs and green spaces can contribute significantly to urban sustainability. These proponents believe that a multi-faceted strategy addressing various aspects of city life is more effective than concentrating on buildings alone.

In my opinion, while sustainable architecture is undoubtedly important, it is just one piece of the puzzle in creating eco-friendly urban environments. The most effective approach would be to combine environmentally conscious building design with broader urban planning initiatives. This integrated strategy could include developing sustainable buildings alongside investments in public transportation, creating more green spaces, and implementing city-wide recycling and renewable energy programs. By addressing multiple aspects of urban life simultaneously, cities can achieve a more comprehensive and lasting environmental sustainability.

In conclusion, while sustainable building design is a crucial element in creating eco-friendly cities, it should be part of a broader, multifaceted approach to urban sustainability. Only by addressing all aspects of urban living can we hope to create truly environmentally friendly cities for the future.

(Word count: 329)

Sustainable City Design

Key Features of This Band 8-9 Essay

1. Clear structure: The essay follows a logical structure with an introduction, body paragraphs discussing both views, the writer’s opinion, and a conclusion.

2. Balanced argument: Both perspectives are explored thoroughly before the writer presents their own view.

3. Cohesive writing: The essay uses a range of cohesive devices to link ideas smoothly (e.g., “Moreover,” “However,” “Similarly”).

4. Varied vocabulary: The writer employs a wide range of topic-specific vocabulary (e.g., “carbon footprint,” “eco-friendly materials,” “urban planning”).

5. Complex sentence structures: The essay demonstrates the ability to use complex sentences effectively (e.g., “By addressing multiple aspects of urban life simultaneously, cities can achieve a more comprehensive and lasting environmental sustainability.”).

6. Clear position: The writer’s opinion is clearly stated and well-supported.

Sample Essay (Band 6-7)

Here’s a sample essay that demonstrates the qualities of a Band 6-7 response:

In recent years, there has been a lot of discussion about how to make cities more environmentally friendly. Some people think that building eco-friendly buildings is the best way to do this, while others believe there are better methods. This essay will discuss both ideas and give my opinion.

On one hand, designing sustainable buildings can help make cities more eco-friendly. These buildings use less energy for heating and cooling, which reduces pollution. They also often have features like solar panels and rainwater collection systems. If all new buildings in a city were made this way, it could make a big difference to the environment.

On the other hand, some people argue that there are more effective ways to create eco-friendly cities. They say that improving public transportation and creating more green spaces are more important. For example, if more people use buses and trains instead of cars, it can reduce air pollution a lot. Also, having more parks and trees in a city can help clean the air and make the city cooler.

In my opinion, both approaches are important for making cities more environmentally friendly. While sustainable buildings are certainly helpful, I think we need to do more than just focus on architecture. A combination of eco-friendly buildings, better public transport, and more green spaces would be the most effective way to create truly sustainable cities.

To conclude, although sustainable building design is important, it should be part of a wider plan to make cities more eco-friendly. We need to consider all aspects of city life to create truly sustainable urban environments.

(Word count: 268)

Key Differences Between Band 8-9 and Band 6-7 Essays

1. Vocabulary range: The Band 6-7 essay uses simpler vocabulary and fewer topic-specific terms compared to the Band 8-9 essay.

2. Sentence complexity: The Band 6-7 essay tends to use simpler sentence structures, while the Band 8-9 essay demonstrates a greater variety of complex structures.

3. Depth of analysis: The Band 8-9 essay provides more detailed explanations and examples, while the Band 6-7 essay’s points are less developed.

4. Cohesion: The Band 8-9 essay uses a wider range of cohesive devices and transitions more smoothly between ideas.

5. Word count: The Band 8-9 essay is longer and more comprehensive, while the Band 6-7 essay is shorter and less detailed.

Writing Tips for This Topic

1. Use specific vocabulary: Incorporate terms related to urban sustainability, such as “renewable energy,” “carbon emissions,” “green infrastructure,” and “sustainable development.”

2. Provide concrete examples: When discussing sustainable building features or alternative methods, give specific examples to support your points.

3. Consider multiple perspectives: Explore various aspects of urban sustainability beyond just architecture, such as transportation, waste management, and urban planning.

4. Use complex sentence structures: Combine ideas using relative clauses, conditionals, and other advanced grammatical structures.

5. Maintain a formal tone: Avoid colloquial expressions and use academic language throughout your essay.

Key Vocabulary to Remember

1. Sustainable (adjective) /səˈsteɪnəbl/: able to be maintained at a certain rate or level
2. Eco-friendly (adjective) /ˌiːkəʊ ˈfrendli/: not harmful to the environment
3. Urban planning (noun) /ˈɜːbən ˈplænɪŋ/: the process of designing and organizing urban areas
4. Carbon footprint (noun) /ˈkɑːbən ˈfʊtprɪnt/: the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of activities
5. Renewable energy (noun) /rɪˈnjuːəbl ˈenədʒi/: energy from a source that is not depleted when used
6. Green infrastructure (noun) /griːn ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə/: a network providing the “ingredients” for solving urban and climatic challenges
7. Energy-efficient (adjective) /ˈenədʒi ɪˈfɪʃnt/: using less energy to perform the same task
8. Holistic approach (noun) /həˈlɪstɪk əˈprəʊtʃ/: characterized by the belief that the parts of something are interconnected and can be explained only by reference to the whole

In conclusion, mastering the art of writing about sustainable urban design in IELTS Task 2 requires a combination of specific vocabulary, balanced arguments, and a clear structure. Practice writing essays on this topic, focusing on improving your vocabulary range and sentence complexity. You can also explore related topics such as how to reduce heat island effects in cities or the role of technology in promoting sustainable practices to broaden your understanding of urban sustainability issues.

Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing is practice. Try writing your own essay based on the question provided in this article, and consider sharing it in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active practice will help you refine your skills and prepare effectively for the IELTS exam.