Urban planning plays a crucial role in shaping modern cities and communities. The topic of creating more inclusive cities through urban planning has been gaining prominence in recent IELTS exams. Based on past exam trends and current urban development issues, this theme is likely to appear frequently in future tests. Let’s explore a relevant question that has been featured in recent IELTS Writing Task 2 exams:
Some people think that governments should focus on reducing environmental pollution and housing problems in cities, rather than building infrastructure like new roads. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Analyzing the Question
This question addresses two key aspects of urban planning: environmental concerns and housing issues, contrasting them with infrastructure development. It requires candidates to consider the priorities of government spending and urban development strategies. The task is to express and justify an opinion on whether governments should prioritize reducing pollution and solving housing problems over building new infrastructure.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Urban development is a complex issue that requires careful consideration of various factors. While some argue that governments should prioritize environmental and housing concerns over infrastructure development, I believe a balanced approach is essential for creating truly inclusive and sustainable cities.
Undoubtedly, addressing environmental pollution and housing problems is crucial for urban well-being. Cities with high pollution levels face severe health consequences for their residents, impacting quality of life and productivity. Similarly, inadequate housing can lead to social inequality, overcrowding, and increased crime rates. By focusing on these issues, governments can significantly improve living conditions and social cohesion within urban areas.
However, it would be short-sighted to completely neglect infrastructure development, particularly new roads. Well-planned transportation networks are the arteries of a city, facilitating economic growth, improving accessibility, and potentially reducing pollution through efficient traffic management. Moreover, new roads can alleviate congestion in overcrowded areas and provide better connectivity to affordable housing zones, indirectly addressing both environmental and housing concerns.
The key lies in integrating these priorities into a comprehensive urban planning strategy. For instance, governments can invest in eco-friendly public transportation systems that reduce pollution while improving mobility. Similarly, urban renewal projects can focus on creating mixed-use developments that combine affordable housing with green spaces and efficient transport links. This approach ensures that infrastructure development complements rather than competes with environmental and housing goals.
In conclusion, while reducing pollution and solving housing problems are indeed critical, they should not come at the expense of necessary infrastructure development. A holistic approach that balances these priorities is essential for creating livable, sustainable, and inclusive urban environments. Governments should strive to implement integrated solutions that address multiple urban challenges simultaneously, fostering cities that are not only environmentally friendly and socially equitable but also economically vibrant and well-connected.
(Word count: 309)
Urban planning for inclusive cities: A balanced approach
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
In recent years, there has been a debate about whether governments should focus more on reducing pollution and solving housing problems in cities instead of building new infrastructure like roads. In my opinion, I partially agree with this idea because both aspects are important for urban development.
On one hand, addressing environmental pollution and housing issues is crucial for improving the quality of life in cities. High levels of pollution can cause serious health problems for residents, especially children and the elderly. Additionally, the lack of affordable housing forces many people to live in poor conditions or far from their workplaces. By prioritizing these issues, governments can create healthier and more livable urban environments.
However, we cannot completely ignore the importance of infrastructure development. New roads and transportation systems are necessary for a city to function efficiently. They help reduce traffic congestion, improve connectivity between different areas, and support economic growth. Without proper infrastructure, even the most environmentally friendly city would struggle to provide basic services to its residents.
I believe the best approach is to find a balance between these priorities. For example, governments could invest in sustainable transportation options like electric buses or bike lanes, which would help reduce pollution while also improving urban mobility. Similarly, they could focus on developing affordable housing projects near public transport hubs, addressing both housing and infrastructure needs simultaneously.
In conclusion, while reducing pollution and solving housing problems should be high priorities for urban planning, they should not completely replace infrastructure development. A balanced approach that considers all aspects of urban life is necessary to create truly inclusive and sustainable cities.
(Word count: 273)
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Nowadays, some people think governments should focus more on reducing pollution and solving housing problems in cities instead of building new roads. I agree with this opinion because I think environment and housing are more important for people’s lives.
Firstly, pollution is a big problem in many cities. The air is not clean and it makes people sick. If the government spends money to reduce pollution, it will help people to be healthier. This is more important than new roads because health is the most important thing for everyone.
Secondly, housing is also a serious issue in cities. Many people cannot afford to buy or rent a good house. They have to live in small, bad quality homes or far away from the city center. If the government builds more affordable houses, it will help many people to have a better life. This is more useful than building new roads.
However, I also think that roads are important for cities. They help people to travel and transport goods. But I believe that if we have clean air and good houses, we can be happy even if we don’t have many new roads.
In conclusion, I agree that governments should focus more on reducing pollution and solving housing problems because these things directly affect people’s health and quality of life. New roads are good, but they are not as important as clean air and good homes.
(Word count: 225)
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
This essay demonstrates excellent language use and a sophisticated approach to the task. It:
- Presents a clear position with a nuanced view
- Develops ideas fully with relevant examples
- Uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately
- Employs a variety of complex sentence structures
- Organizes ideas coherently with clear progression
- Addresses all parts of the task with a balanced approach
Band 6-7 Essay:
This essay shows a good attempt at addressing the task with some strengths and weaknesses:
- Presents a clear overall position
- Develops main ideas but with less sophistication
- Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with some errors
- Employs a mix of simple and complex sentences
- Organizes ideas logically but with less fluency
- Addresses the main parts of the task adequately
Band 5-6 Essay:
This essay demonstrates a basic understanding of the task but with limitations:
- Presents a position but with limited development
- Provides some relevant ideas but lacks depth
- Uses basic vocabulary with noticeable errors
- Relies mostly on simple sentence structures
- Shows some organization but may lack coherence
- Addresses the task in a general way
How does urban planning affect community development is a crucial aspect to consider when discussing inclusive cities. The higher band essays demonstrate a deeper understanding of this relationship, while the lower band essay touches on it more superficially.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Urban planning (noun) – /ˈɜːrbən ˈplænɪŋ/ – The process of designing and organizing urban areas
- Infrastructure (noun) – /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃər/ – Basic physical structures needed for society to function
- Sustainable (adjective) – /səˈsteɪnəbl/ – Able to be maintained at a certain level without depleting resources
- Inclusive (adjective) – /ɪnˈkluːsɪv/ – Aiming to include all types of people without exception
- Congestion (noun) – /kənˈdʒestʃən/ – Overcrowding or traffic jams in urban areas
- Affordable housing (noun phrase) – /əˈfɔːrdəbl ˈhaʊzɪŋ/ – Housing that is reasonably priced for lower-income groups
- Eco-friendly (adjective) – /ˈiːkəʊ ˈfrendli/ – Not harmful to the environment
- Urban renewal (noun phrase) – /ˈɜːrbən rɪˈnjuːəl/ – The process of improving and modernizing a city area
- Mixed-use development (noun phrase) – /mɪkst juːz dɪˈveləpmənt/ – An urban development that blends residential, commercial, cultural, or industrial uses
- Livable (adjective) – /ˈlɪvəbl/ – Suitable or good enough to live in
The effects of urban planning on social cohesion can be seen in how these vocabulary terms are applied in real-world urban development scenarios.
Conclusion
Urban planning for inclusive cities is a complex and multifaceted topic that is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. As we’ve seen from the sample essays, there are various approaches to addressing this issue, ranging from prioritizing environmental and housing concerns to advocating for a balanced approach that includes infrastructure development.
For future practice, consider exploring related topics such as:
- The role of public transportation in sustainable urban development
- Strategies for integrating green spaces in densely populated cities
- The impact of smart city technologies on urban inclusivity
- Balancing historical preservation with modern urban needs
Why affordable housing should be a government priority is another crucial aspect of creating inclusive cities that you might want to explore in your practice essays.
Urban planning for inclusive cities: Addressing future challenges
To further improve your writing skills, we encourage you to practice writing your own essay on this topic. Consider the question provided or create a similar one focusing on urban planning and inclusive cities. Share your essay in the comments section below for feedback and discussion with other learners. This active practice will help you develop your ideas, improve your language skills, and prepare more effectively for the IELTS Writing Task 2.
Should cities implement car-free zones is another interesting topic you might want to consider for your practice essays, as it relates closely to urban planning and environmental concerns in cities.
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is not just about memorizing sample answers, but understanding the issues, developing your own ideas, and expressing them clearly and coherently. Keep practicing, and good luck with your IELTS preparation!
