英语考试Cat-雅思写作范文-Traffic Congestion and Centralization

These days, it is commonly cited that the best method for solving traffic congestion and transport issues is to persuade citizens to inhabit metropolises instead of suburban and rural areas. In my opinion, though this concept certainly has positive aspects, I do not think it is the best method to solve these transportation-related challenges.  

The central tenet behind this concept of centralizing work and living spaces to reduce traffic issues is based on the idea that people will have no use for vehicles, and thus, fewer cars will be seen on the road. This idea though, is likely to cause another problem in place of the one it solves, namely overcrowding, suggesting that by convincing people to locate in one dense metropolitan center, other societal problems will arise. In fact, studies show that overcrowding leads to a multitude of social issues, such as increased domestic violence, and so, while centrally positioning accommodation and place of work together will reduce traffic, the trade-off in problems this would likely produce seem not to warrant such a policy.

This is not to say, however, that the concept of centralization is incorrect. In fact, this concept is one of the most effective means to solve traffic congestion, but instead of centrally locating all jobs and homes in one area, they can be situated in smaller zones. This has occurred in Guangzhou, China, for example, where many of the satellite towns, suburbs and rural areas surrounding the city have become mini-centers of business and industry in their own right. Such specialization, coupled with an effective public transport network, has given rise to residents being able to live close to their work, yet without being overcrowded, while simultaneously, allowing them the convenience of living near the city. 

In conclusion, while the concept of centralization is a sound proposal for reducing traffic issues, persuading people to amass in one central area for both work and living will likely cause overcrowding; hence, I believe business specialization of satellite towns and surrounding metropolitan areas, connected by an effective public transport system, is more practical in helping to solve traffic congestion.