When a new town is planned, it is more important to develop public parks and sports facilities than

shopping centers for people to spend their time in. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Designing new cities’ layout is one of the most difficult jobs because many factors have to be
considered, including the proportion of each amenity. The majority of people believe that health
facilities like public parks and sports centers are more significant than shopping centers. Nevertheless, I
am more convinced that health centers are just as essential as malls.

Those who agree with point out that health issues should be the first priority, as the number of people
with obesity and disease has been increasing these days. Additionally, green areas can be considered as
lungs of towns, especially for congested areas like Bangkok. More than 50 per cent of workers in
Bangkok said that parks can help them feel better after intense work. Besides, sports centers are crucial
for towns as well. In order to stay healthy, jogging in the park might not be enough for someone. Plus, it
offers a wide range of activities which can strengthen the relationship among society and reduce
conflicts. This is partly true, however, it does not mean that those places are more important than retail
shops.

From my point of view, department stores are equally important to other places since several activities,
such as having quality time with family, watching movies with loved ones, and buying groceries, happen
there. Moreover, malls can provide job opportunities for residents which will reduce crime rates and
make the city more secure.

To sum up, these three places are crucial factors for a livable town. Health centers are responsible for
dwellers’ health, while retail stores provide fun activities and happiness. So green areas, gyms, and
department stores should be weighed equally in town construction.