3. Cities

Reasons for Urbanization

• People move to cities in search of job opportunities
• Cities offer greater employment possibilities and a higher standard of living
• People migrate to cities from the countryside
• Traditional activities like farming need fewer workers nowadays
• Negatives of City Life

Life in cities has its drawbacks

• The cost of living is higher than in rural areas
• Some people d not manage to find work
• Housing is usually much more expensive
• Homelessness and poverty are common on cities There is a gap between rich and poor
• Life in cities can be extremely stressful
• There are problems like traffic congestion and crime Cities lack a sense of community
• People do not even know their neighbor
• Cities are sometimes described as “concrete jungles”.

Pedestrian Areas

• Pedestrian zones in city centre can improve the local environment
• Banning cars encourages people to walk or cycle
• Many European cities have built bicycle lanes
• Dependence on cars is linked to health problems like obesity
• People who walk or cycle regularly are generally healthier
• Pedestrian areas are safer and more attractive for both residents and tourists

城市化的原因

• 人们迁移到城市为了寻求工作机会
• 城市提供更多的就业机会和更高的生活水平
• 人们从农村迁移到城市
• 像耕作一样的传统活动如今需要更少的工作人员(大机器农业)

城市生活的消极之处

• 城市的生活有其缺陷
• 生活成本高于农村地区
• 一些人没有设法找到工作
• 住房通常更贵
• 无家可归和贫穷在城市常见
• 富人和穷人之间存在间隔
• 存在问题，如交通堵塞和犯罪
• 城市缺乏社区感
• 人们甚至不知道他们的邻居
• 城市有时候被形容为钢筋水泥丛林

步行区域

• 城市中心的步行区域可以提高局部环境
• 禁止汽车鼓励人们步行或骑行
• 许多欧洲城市建立了自行车道
• 对汽车的依赖和肥胖类的健康问题相关
• 经常步行或骑行的人通常更健康
• 对居民和旅行者而言，步行区域更安全和更具吸引力