Cities all across the world are currently facing an overwhelming pressure of overpopulation that is lowering the standard of living for its own citizens. The continuous honking of cars and the ill-planned skyscrapers make city life nothing short of a chaotic bundle. But imagine living in a city where roads are well-laid, residential complexes are well-planned, and even nature thrives! Won’t it be a dream?
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Last night while driving across the streets on my way back home, I realized that not many city-dwellers are as blessed as to have some privileges like me. Wide, parallel roads, access to amazing facilities, a pretty skyline, amusement centers, and escape room breakout– all of these amazing lifestyle options would not have been possible had I not lived in a well-planned city. It takes more than just proper drainage or fancy landmarks to be a city this desirable. It has to be a place wherein humanity can thrive in the best possible way, with the least of problems.
In this article, we will look at the top 10 planned cities in the world. If you are planning to move out, start taking notes!
1. Seoul, South Korea
Beautifully embellished with impressive architecture stands the political and cultural hub of South Korea – Seoul. The city is known to be home to approximately 10 million people, with a huge population density. But despite that, the city shows an impressively planned transport system. To move away from the excessive usage of private cars and other automobiles by individuals, Seoul has developed a top-rated transport system.
Its vastly spreading public networking system is made to ensure a significant reduction of the reliance of people on the usage of private cars. People in this city can use one pass to avail both the metro and the bus services. There are over 8,500 color-coded buses that serve the people. The transport system in the city makes it stand out as one of the most well-planned cities in the world!
2. Singapore City, Singapore
Following the colonial period, Singapore gained independence only in 1959 and was in a truly bad condition. Except for the southern tip of the city, which was built as a business district by the colonial powers, the rest of the city was densely populated. The people living there did not even have the basic amenities like proper water supply, amongst others.
Since then, Singapore has developed itself immensely, brick by brick, over the many years that have gone by. Fast forward to the year 2022, Singapore stands as one of the most well-planned cities in the world. From the lush greenery to the seamlessly designed road network to the several educational institutions that have been built, the city is truly a success!
3. Brasilia, Brazil
The capital of Brazil shifted from Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia back in 1960. Brasilia is a city that was planned by the cumulative efforts of Lucio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer and was landscaped by Roberto Burle Marx. The city ranks as one of the UNESCO world heritage sites and is one of the best-planned cities in the world that one could ever come across.
In a bird’s eye view, the entire city looks like a gigantic airplane, which many think was probably in honor of the jet age. Furthermore, Brasilia is also divided categorically into various sectors like hotels, banking, healthcare, etc., all of which remain connected. Well-laid roads and highway networks connect every little corner of the city. The residential areas are located mostly in the central portion of the city and are divided into blocks, with parks, stores, schools, and hospitals situated in each block. Such efficient planning of the city gives it an air of breathability and openness.
4. Washington DC, US
Curated and designed by Pierre Charles L’Enfant, a French-born architect cum city planner, Washington DC shows great finesse in the way it stands today. The city gives an essence of nature by way of its lush green open areas built in between the residential areas. Not only does the city showcase its modernizing aspects but does also portray its connection to nature at the same time.
The capitol is located at the highest ridge in the area, demarcating its supreme position in the city. The rest of the city is divided nearly proportionately into various north-south and east-west grids. Each of these grids is filled adequately with parks and beautiful trees. Despite the few changes that have popped up in the city here and there, the central parts of the city have, however, remained untouched.
5. Chandigarh, India
The partition of India: a bloodied history that tore apart not just a nation but also several hundreds of lives. This gory event in the history of India impacted the state of Punjab the worst. However, following this event of acute bloodshed, the city of Chandigarh drastically transformed itself into becoming the most planned city in the country.
The city was planned by a Swiss-French architect and was divided into many sectors of the same size and was sewn together with a seamless road network. The widespread greenery spread all across the city is also hard to not notice. Further, with proper maintenance and government efforts, the city is strong in battling pollution, a common problem in most cities of India.
6. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is yet another well-planned city in the world that was a product of the Five Finger Plan of 1947 of the government. Anyone who has visited the city knows how beautifully planned this city is, as it continues to be home to approximately 600,000 people! The entire city of Copenhagen is connected with an efficient bus service, water buses, and even the metro. This eco-conscious city is always on the way to developing its transport system such that the reliance on private automobiles is reduced significantly.
The urban areas are situated in the regional corridors and are well-equipped with proficient transport services. Each of the urban areas looks like fingers poking out from the central core of the city. The intermediary spaces between the regional corridors are beautifully decorated with greenery.
7. Zurich, Switzerland
The largest city in Switzerland is Zurich, which is yet another significant example of what an expertly planned city would look like. Probably one of the most striking features of this city is its sheer absence of a huge number of cars flooding the streets. Thanks to the impressive public transport network in the city, the need for a car isn’t something mandatory for the residents of Zurich.
Several diverse modes of transport systems converge together to provide a seamless traveling experience in the city. From buses and trams to lights and ferries, every little part of the city is connected with this efficient transport network. Even the public transport fares are consequently low enough only to encourage more people to opt for public transport. Furthermore, with the building up of bike ramps, plazas, and different amenities in the city, Zurich is always in the process of upgrading itself for the better.
8. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Even though a major part of the city of Amsterdam lies below or at sea level, the city continues to flourish sustainably. The city is built in a disaster-proof manner, with life-sustainable architecture and an efficient transport system edged right in the cityscape.
The city perpetually promotes the use of bicycles and public transport in opposition to private cars. There are separate lanes in the streets that are solely dedicated to bikers too! Furthermore, the government has also increased the tax on fuel prices to discourage people from using private cars over public transport.
9. Medellin, Columbia
Medellin was the hotspot for crimes only about thirty years ago despite being a relatively prosperous city at large. However, since 1991, the city has changed for the better. Today, it proudly showcases the greatest instances of an equitable urban development plan.
A seamless network of cable cars, elevators, and metro connects the city into one single unit. Communities that were earlier stripped apart from the rest of the city are now brought in, thanks to this efficient transport system. The government is also making significant efforts toward uplifting the poor localities by building libraries, public schools, and even cultural centers.
10. Shanghai, China
Shanghai is probably one of the most sophisticated and well-planned cities in the world. The futuristic skyline built in the city makes it stand apart from any other city that one may ever come across. Today, Shanghai is home to the headquarters of many large companies around the world.
The roadways and highway networks in the city are properly maintained and updated constantly to keep the people satisfied. It also houses one of the most popularly frequented metro rail systems worldwide, the architectural delights of the city showcase a powerful blend of ancient and modern styles.
Conclusion
The cities mentioned above rank in the top 10 planned cities in the world, and the standards of living they offer themselves speak for this status. Where would you want to live?
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Author Bio: Aniya more is one of the brightest content writer at Breakout escape room. She is a passionate writer who loves to read books and explore different escape rooms. With a great work ethic, she spends most of her time researching and reading. When she is not working, she likes to relax with a cup of coffee and enjoy watching her favorite tv show or walking her dog peanut. You can find her on LinkedIn.
