This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of city planning and zoning.
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IELTS Essay: City Planning and Zoning
In many cities, planners tend to arrange shops, schools, offices and homes in specific areas and separate them from each other.
Do you think the advantages of this policy outweigh the disadvantages?
One common approach employed by city planners involves the separation of various establishments such as shops, schools, offices, and homes into distinct areas. While this zoning policy offers certain advantages, the notable drawbacks outweigh the positives.
One significant advantage of zoning is the promotion of efficient land use. By grouping similar establishments together, cities can optimize the allocation of resources and infrastructure. For instance, commercial areas can be designed with adequate parking spaces and easy access to transportation, making it convenient for both shoppers and business owners. Zoning similarly allows for the creation of specialized zones, such as industrial areas, which can enhance productivity and economic growth. This is the case in many newer cities such as Shenzhen in China where urban planners had the opportunity to fashion a more efficient and livable environment for residents due to the lack of previous development in the area.
However, a notable concern is the potential lack of vibrancy and diversity in strictly zoned cities. When different establishments are mixed within neighborhoods, it fosters a sense of community and generates vibrant social spaces. Mixing residential and commercial areas can lead to the development of lively streets with a variety of shops, cafes, galleries, and parks, creating a more engaging and inclusive urban experience. This is evidenced in contrast to newer cities like Shenzhen with older cities throughout the world that are famed for their cultural vibrancy. The list of such cities is innumerable but includes some of the most well-known and desirable urban areas on the globe such as London, New York, Paris, Kyoto, and Barcelona.
In conclusion, zoning policies that group areas by their purpose can lead to efficient land use though the likelihood of a lack of vibrancy within neighborhoods is a more significant factor. To strike a balance, city planners must carefully consider the specific context and needs of their communities, adopting a flexible approach that combines the benefits of zoning with the promotion of mixed-use areas.
Analysis
1. One common approach employed by city planners involves the separation of various establishments such as shops, schools, offices, and homes into distinct areas. 2. While this zoning policy offers certain advantages, the notable drawbacks outweigh the positives.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. One significant advantage of zoning is the promotion of efficient land use. 2. By grouping similar establishments together, cities can optimize the allocation of resources and infrastructure. 3. For instance, commercial areas can be designed with adequate parking spaces and easy access to transportation, making it convenient for both shoppers and business owners. 4. Zoning similarly allows for the creation of specialized zones, such as industrial areas, which can enhance productivity and economic growth. 5. This is the case in many newer cities such as Shenzhen in China where urban planners had the opportunity to fashion a more efficient and livable environment for residents due to the lack of previous development in the area.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
- Keep developing it fully.
- Better to have more detail.
1. However, a notable concern is the potential lack of vibrancy and diversity in strictly zoned cities. 2. When different establishments are mixed within neighborhoods, it fosters a sense of community and generates vibrant social spaces. 3. Mixing residential and commercial areas can lead to the development of lively streets with a variety of shops, cafes, galleries, and parks, creating a more engaging and inclusive urban experience. 4. This is evidenced in contrast to newer cities like Shenzhen with older cities throughout the world that are famed for their cultural vibrancy. 5. The list of such cities is innumerable but includes some of the most well-known and desirable urban areas on the globe such as London, New York, Paris, Kyoto, and Barcelona.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
- This essay is a bit long – aim for about 275 words.
1. In conclusion, zoning policies that group areas by their purpose can lead to efficient land use though the likelihood of a lack of vibrancy within neighborhoods is a more significant factor. 2. To strike a balance, city planners must carefully consider the specific context and needs of their communities, adopting a flexible approach that combines the benefits of zoning with the promotion of mixed-use areas.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
One common approach employed by city planners involves the separation of various establishments such as shops, schools, offices, and homes into distinct areas. While this zoning policy offers certain advantages, the notable drawbacks outweigh the positives.
One significant advantage of zoning is the promotion of efficient land use. By grouping similar establishments together, cities can optimize the allocation of resources and infrastructure. For instance, commercial areas can be designed with adequate parking spaces and easy access to transportation, making it convenient for both shoppers and business owners. Zoning similarly allows for the creation of specialized zones, such as industrial areas, which can enhance productivity and economic growth. This is the case in many newer cities such as Shenzhen in China where urban planners had the opportunity to fashion a more efficient and livable environment for residents due to the lack of previous development in the area.
However, a notable concern is the potential lack of vibrancy and diversity in strictly zoned cities. When different establishments are mixed within neighborhoods, it fosters a sense of community and generates vibrant social spaces. Mixing residential and commercial areas can lead to the development of lively streets with a variety of shops, cafes, galleries, and parks, creating a more engaging and inclusive urban experience. This is evidenced in contrast to newer cities like Shenzhen with older cities throughout the world that are famed for their cultural vibrancy. The list of such cities is innumerable but includes some of the most well-known and desirable urban areas on the globe such as London, New York, Paris, Kyoto, and Barcelona.
In conclusion, zoning policies that group areas by their purpose can lead to efficient land use though the likelihood of a lack of vibrancy within neighborhoods is a more significant factor. To strike a balance, city planners must carefully consider the specific context and needs of their communities, adopting a flexible approach that combines the benefits of zoning with the promotion of mixed-use areas.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
One common approach: A frequently used method
employed by: utilized by
city planners: urban planning authorities
separation: segregation
establishments: businesses
distinct: separate
zoning policy: zoning regulations
offers certain advantages: provides specific benefits
the notable drawbacks outweigh the positives: the significant disadvantages surpass the advantages
One significant advantage of: One notable benefit of
promotion: promotion
efficient land use: effective land utilization
grouping: clustering
optimize: optimize
allocation of resources: distribution of resources
infrastructure: physical framework
commercial areas: business districts
designed with adequate parking spaces: equipped with sufficient parking facilities
easy access to transportation: convenient transportation access
convenient for: suitable for
business owners: entrepreneurs
similarly: similarly
creation of specialized zones: establishment of specialized areas
industrial areas: manufacturing zones
enhance productivity: improve productivity
economic growth: financial growth
This is the case in: This is evident in
urban planners: city planners
fashion: style
livable: habitable
residents: inhabitants
notable concern: significant concern
potential lack of vibrancy and diversity: possible absence of vibrancy and diversity
strictly: stringently
fosters a sense of community: nurtures a sense of community
generates vibrant social spaces: creates dynamic social spaces
lively streets: vibrant streets
a variety of: a range of
engaging: captivating
inclusive urban experience: inclusive urban experience
This is evidenced in contrast to: This is demonstrated in contrast to
throughout the world: across the globe
famed for: renowned for
cultural vibrancy: cultural vibrancy
innumerable: countless
well-known: well-established
desirable urban areas: desirable urban areas
on the globe: worldwide
purpose: intention
likelihood: probability
more significant factor: more significant aspect
To strike a balance: To achieve equilibrium
specific context: particular circumstances
needs of their communities: requirements of their communities
adopting a flexible approach: adopting an adaptable approach
promotion of mixed-use areas: advancement of mixed-use areas
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
wʌn ˈkɒmən əˈprəʊʧ
ɪmˈplɔɪd baɪ
ˈsɪti ˈplænəz
ˌsɛpᵊrˈeɪʃᵊn
ɪˈstæblɪʃmənts
dɪˈstɪŋkt
ˈzəʊnɪŋ ˈpɒləsi
ˈɒfəz ˈsɜːtᵊn ədˈvɑːntɪʤɪz
ðə ˈnəʊtəbᵊl ˈdrɔːbæks aʊtˈweɪ ðə ˈpɒzətɪvz
wʌn sɪɡˈnɪfɪkᵊnt ədˈvɑːntɪʤ ɒv
prəˈməʊʃᵊn
ɪˈfɪʃᵊnt lænd juːz.
ˈɡruːpɪŋ
ˈɒptɪmaɪz
ˌæləʊˈkeɪʃᵊn ɒv rɪˈzɔːsɪz
ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌkʧə
kəˈmɜːʃᵊl ˈeəriəz
dɪˈzaɪnd wɪð ˈædəkwət ˈpɑːkɪŋ ˈspeɪsɪz
ˈiːzi ˈæksɛs tuː ˌtrænspɔːˈteɪʃᵊn
kənˈviːniənt fɔː
ˈbɪznɪs ˈəʊnəz.
ˈsɪmɪləli
kriˈeɪʃᵊn ɒv ˈspɛʃᵊlaɪzd zəʊnz
ɪnˈdʌstriəl ˈeəriəz
ɪnˈhɑːns ˌprɒdʌkˈtɪvəti
ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ɡrəʊθ
ðɪs ɪz ðə keɪs ɪn
ˈɜːbᵊn ˈplænəz
ˈfæʃᵊn
ˈlɪvəbᵊl
ˈrɛzɪdᵊnts
ˈnəʊtəbᵊl kənˈsɜːn
pəˈtɛnʃᵊl læk ɒv ˈvaɪbrᵊnsi ænd daɪˈvɜːsəti
ˈstrɪktli
ˈfɒstəz ə sɛns ɒv kəˈmjuːnəti
ˈʤɛnəreɪts ˈvaɪbrᵊnt ˈsəʊʃᵊl ˈspeɪsɪz
ˈlaɪvli striːts
ə vəˈraɪəti ɒv
ɪnˈɡeɪʤɪŋ
ɪnˈkluːsɪv ˈɜːbᵊn ɪkˈspɪəriəns
ðɪs ɪz ˈɛvɪdᵊnst ɪn ˈkɒntrɑːst tuː
θruːˈaʊt ðə wɜːld
feɪmd fɔː
ˈkʌlʧᵊrᵊl ˈvaɪbrᵊnsi
ɪˈnjuːmərəbᵊl
ˌwɛlˈnəʊn
dɪˈzaɪərəbᵊl ˈɜːbᵊn ˈeəriəz
ɒn ðə ˈɡləʊb
ˈpɜːpəs
ˈlaɪklɪhʊd
mɔː sɪɡˈnɪfɪkᵊnt ˈfæktə
tuː straɪk ə ˈbælᵊns
spəˈsɪfɪk ˈkɒntɛkst
niːdz ɒv ðeə kəˈmjuːnətiz
əˈdɒptɪŋ ə ˈflɛksəbᵊl əˈprəʊʧ
prəˈməʊʃᵊn ɒv mɪkst-juːz ˈeəriəz
Vocabulary Practice
I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:
O________________________________________________s involves the s__________n of various e____________s such as shops, schools, offices, and homes into d________t areas. While this z__________y o_______________________s, t_________________________s o___________________________s.
O_____________________f zoning is the p___________n of e___________________e. By g_________g similar establishments together, cities can o______e the a__________________s and i_______________e. For instance, c______________s can be d_____________________________________________s and e__________________________n, making it c______________r both shoppers and b_____________s. Zoning s_________y allows for the c__________________________s, such as i_________________s, which can e__________________________y and e____________________h. T_____________n many newer cities such as Shenzhen in China where u____________________s had the opportunity to f__________n a more efficient and l______e environment for r__________s due to the lack of previous development in the area.
However, a n______________n is the p__________________________________y in s________y zoned cities. When different establishments are mixed within neighborhoods, it f_______________________________y and g______________________________s. Mixing residential and commercial areas can lead to the development of l_____________s with a__________f shops, cafes, galleries, and parks, creating a more e__________g and i______________________e. T_____________________________o newer cities like Shenzhen with older cities t________________________d that are f____________r their c_______________y. The list of such cities is i___________e but includes some of the most w____________n and d____________________s o_______e such as London, New York, Paris, Kyoto, and Barcelona.
In conclusion, zoning policies that group areas by their p__________e can lead to efficient land use though the l____________d of a lack of vibrancy within neighborhoods is a m_____________________r. T________________e, city planners must carefully consider the s________________t and n_________________________s, a________________________h that combines the benefits of zoning with the p________________________________s.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:
Reading Practice
Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:
https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2019/4/8/18266760/barcelona-spain-urban-planning-history
Speaking Practice
Where You Live
Do you live in an apartment or house?
What views can you see through the windows?
What kind of apartment or house do you want to have in the future?
Writing Practice
The world has many towns and cities constructed in previous centuries that were more suitable and livable for people in those times than they are now.
What problems will this cause?
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