雅思阅读

📖 Reading Passage

The concept of sustainable urban development has evolved significantly over the past decades, moving from a purely environmental focus to a more integrated approach that includes economic and social dimensions. Recent studies suggest that cities adopting green infrastructure, such as permeable pavements and urban forests, not only mitigate flooding and heat islands but also enhance property values and public well-being. However, critics argue that such measures often prioritize affluent neighborhoods, exacerbating spatial inequality. To address this, planners increasingly advocate for participatory budgeting, whereby residents directly influence how sustainability funds are allocated. This approach, while time-consuming, fosters community ownership and ensures that benefits are distributed more equitably. Nevertheless, empirical evidence on its long-term effectiveness remains limited, highlighting the need for longitudinal research.