In many countries small shops and town centers are going out of business, because people tend to drive to the large out-of-town stores. This results in an increase in car use, and it also means that people without cars have limited access to out-of-town stores. Do you think advantages of such development outweigh its disadvantages?

In many countries small shops and town centers are going out of business, because people tend to drive to the large out-of-town stores. This results in an increase in car use, and it also means that people without cars have limited access to out-of-town stores. Do you think advantages of such development outweigh its disadvantages?  

 

IELTS Essay - Out Of city Superstores Boon or bane 

Advent of large super markets on the outer fringes of cities has meant ceasing of business for town centers and small shops in the cities. This, as per some, is a promising prospect that would help drive in several benefits, for others, there could not have been a worse proposal.

Opening up of big departmental stores on the outskirts of urban areas has helped decongest cities, especially the interiors; thus making lives easier for city dwellers.  No more do the centers and business districts face ugly scenarios of public spaces being encroached by parked vehicles which shrunk the pedestrian zones: making it harder for people to move around.

However, as many suggest, this trend has brought in more drawbacks than benefits, most prominent being a staggering rise in air pollution. While in cities, people could afford to travel even by public transport, using personal conveyance has become a compulsion in this case. As the number of cars plying on the roads rise, there have been reports of a substantial increment in emissions in the suburbs, exurbs, and close vicinities of such stores. 

Moreover, this new arrangement has left many sulking, those without personal conveyance, are unable to obtain goods of their choice, and must stay satisfied with whatever nearby shops afford  them. Besides this, experience of even those, with cars, has not been too encouraging either. Shopping in  distant locations has led to upsetting of monthly budgets: consumers must plan and buy in excess, as travelling to outskirts cannot be an everyday affair.

In a nutshell, I would not say that establishing super markets in outlying areas of urban locations is altogether laden with drawbacks; however, one can hardly  ignore pitfalls this change has brought along. I believe town planning needs to be more prudent.