Bulldozing the World We Love

    Urban sprawl is the rapid expansion of cities. After visiting Bangkok and Pattaya in Thailand this winter break, I realized how crowded and packed the buildings there are. Despite the dazzling palaces and temples, a lot of the urban areas are completely filled with houses and stores and are clear signs of urban sprawl. Urban sprawl is affected by the growing population in the world and has resulted in the development of slums and informal settlements in cities across the globe.

    As a child who lives in Taipei, I know how new buildings are constantly built throughout the years, providing us with new houses yet cutting off trees and polluting the water that we drink and the air that we breathe.

    Everyone talks about global warming and saving the planet, but is taking away Mother Earth's resources and creating buildings actually helpful in preserving our wonderful planet?

    Well, how to help solve this issue? For one, we could renew old buildings that are thirty or forty years old. By redeveloping these buildings instead of just bulldozing them, it improves urban development, saves the planet from more habitat destruction, and gives new life to these buildings! Yes, it can be inconvenient, especially for families that have lived in the buildings for a long period. However, taking a step back and focusing on the positive effects of redevelopment can certainly cause a great change in terms of city planning and giving your family a better quality of life.

    To add on, taking public transportation more often or driving electric vehicles can also contribute to stopping urban sprawl. It is an easy way for everyone to get started in solving this major issue. It also helps with social mobility (less traffic jams!), boosting the local economy, and reducing pollution.

    These are only a small portion of the possible solutions to urban sprawl, and they can greatly upgrade our daily lives. Working towards that goal not only preserves the beautiful scenery in cities but also creates chances for buildings to be rebuilt instead of destroyed. A new world is on the horizon, so why not start today?                                                              

Crowded houses and buildings in Bangkok and Pattaya

Plus some of my favorite views in Thailand 😉

Floating market! Really unique experience 😸