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?

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?

A school of thought strongly believes that green areas and playgrounds should be prioritised over shopping districts. The following paragraphs shall delve deep into analyzing this suggestion critically before sharing a well-reasoned conclusion. 

To start with, while developing a fresh urban locale, it is crucial to enhance to consider the well being of the inhabitants, which can be only possible by establishing areas that provide green surrounding and facilities that facilitate engagement  with nature and also physical activities; this can motivate individuals of all age groups to focus on fitness or follow their passion, fostering a healthier lifestyle. For example, in most metropolitan cities, elders and college students come for yoga, meditation and morning jogs to the nearby public parks early in the morning, making a healthy start to the day.

On top of that, prioritising commercial areas may not be as beneficial for the overall community. These facilities often require substantial construction, bringing a majority of surroundings under the occupation of concrete, which can turn out to be depressing, and not accessible by everyone: only those going shopping, or partaking  in paid leisure tend to visit such places.  For instance, several indoor recreation complexes in large cities require monthly subscriptions for facilities such as gyms, swimming pools, and sports courts. As a result, a significant portion of the population may be excluded from using these amenities, reducing their overall social and communal value.

In conclusion, undeniably, the physical and mental well being of urban dwellers must be allocated top priority, for this can bolster communal wellness, apart from creating venues for engaging people in a more conducive and relaxed environment sans any kind of levies.