Model

Advantages of rural life and urban life

Rural life Urban life

● Less crowding, more housing supply
→ lower housing costs → save
money for other expenses/long term
investments/education
● More open land & trees & bigger
houses → more well-rounded
childhood development
● Access to better elementary & high
school → more resources for early
development → better equipped for
university
● Fewer activities/disturbances → more
tranquil lifestyle
● Close relationship with neighbors →
more community feeling →
development of interpersonal skill at
young ages
● Center of business → Employment
opportunities → chance for upward
mobility
● Access to better universities → better
education system → well prepared for
future career → upward mobility
● Access to entertainment, culture →
more vibrant lifestyle → more
tolerance, esp. towards different
cultures
● Access to urban conveniences
(supermarkets, healthcare) → overall
better quality of life
=> Best for young people, empty nesters

=> Best for raising kids

Problems associated with urban life

Examples

Causes Problems Solutions

● Urbanization →
crowding →
increased burden on
housing supply →
less affordable
housing
● Gentrification: long-
term residents
forced out of their
houses because
they can no longer
afford rent
● Increased
urbanization → more
people flock to cities
→ more
transportation needs
● Large portion of ● Govt. sponsored low
income spent on rent income housing →
→ financial target low-income,
instability underprivileged
● More expensive communities
houses → higher ● Rent control →
likelihood of protect long-term
homelessness renters from
● Homeless → attract gentrification
criminal activities ● Promote economic
growth → rising
average income →
houses more
affordable
● Air pollution → ● Increased use of
affects cardiovascular public transport →
& respiratory lower demand for
functions personal vehicles
● → childhood asthma ● Ban trucks into inner
● Rising concentration
of industrial facilities
→ emissions
● Urban sprawl → ● Too many personal
people live further
from city center →
more dependence on
cars and other
personal vehicles
● Car-focused ● Longer commuting
infrastructure
development → less
friendly to
pedestrians →
dependence
cities → improve air
quality, especially
during commuting
hours
● Regulations requiring
use of high quality
fuel & more efficient
engines → less
emissions → improve
air quality, esp.
during transition to
EV
● Transition towards
EVs → zero
emissions
● Increased use of
vehicles → traffic public transport
gridlock → even ● Selective ban on
further car-focused individual vehicles
development (vicious ● Better urban design
circle) to promote foot
traffic
time → mental health
issues