Housing shortage in big cities

The world population is growing alarmingly and this is putting enormous pressure on urban housing. In many big cities, poor people are living in overcrowded areas because of severe housing shortages, while increasing demand for larger and more comfortable homes is pushing up the prices of living for even the wealthier members of the society. I believe that to address this social problem, both the government and the individual citizens have their respective roles to play.

 A number of possible solutions have been put forward by the government and have proved quite effective. In many countries, for example, the government is building satellite towns around the city to absorb the urban population and their housing demand. Apart from this, some governments have established preferential policies to promote the construction of high-rise apartment buildings because they meet the demand for more economical use of land.

On the other hand, people’s choices of housing and attitude to living are also major factors in the housing equation. Modern people tend to regard homes more as a sign of status and wealth than as a shelter against the nature. A luxury house with a big garden is often associated with success and prosperity and is worth striving for all one’s life. Also, many people are reluctant to live away from the city as they prefer the more diverse, convenient, and stylish urban life, no matter how crowded it is.

Therefore, policies and government actions alone cannot solve the housing problems in big cities. The other important key is a change in people’s concept of living, from living in large and expensive houses to smaller but functional ones, and from crowded urban areas to places further away from the city.( 285 words)