雅思阅读

📖 Reading Passage

The concept of 'sustainable urbanism' has evolved significantly over the past decade, moving beyond mere environmental concerns to encompass social equity and economic viability. Critics argue that many so-called 'green cities' prioritize technological fixes, such as energy-efficient buildings, while neglecting the systemic issues of affordable housing and public transport accessibility. However, recent studies suggest that integrated planning approaches, which involve local communities in decision-making processes, yield more resilient outcomes. For instance, participatory budgeting in Porto Alegre, Brazil, has not only reduced corruption but also improved infrastructure in marginalized neighborhoods. Yet, such models face scalability challenges in megacities, where governance is fragmented and stakeholder interests are diverse. Thus, sustainable urbanism requires a delicate balance between top-down regulation and bottom-up innovation, a tension that remains unresolved in current policy frameworks.