雅思阅读

📖 Reading Passage

The concept of sustainable urban development has evolved significantly over the past decade, shifting from a focus solely on environmental conservation to a more integrated approach that balances ecological, economic, and social dimensions. Recent studies indicate that cities adopting green infrastructure, such as permeable pavements and urban forests, not only mitigate flooding and heat islands but also enhance residents' mental well-being. However, critics argue that such measures often prioritize affluent neighborhoods, exacerbating spatial inequality. To address this, policymakers are increasingly employing participatory budgeting, allowing communities to decide on green projects. Yet, the effectiveness of this tool remains contested, as it requires high civic engagement and may still be dominated by vocal minorities. Thus, sustainable urbanism is not merely a technical challenge but a deeply political process involving trade-offs among stakeholders.