在城市中重新拥抱自然
Bringing nature back into cities
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One cost of city life is the distance from nature.
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For children growing up among concrete and steel, forests, grasslands, and clear rivers may exist only in photographs.
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This is not only a cultural loss but also a health issue.
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More and more research shows that lack of nature contact is closely related to mental health problems.
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Stress, pollution, and crowding in cities increase the risk of anxiety and depression.
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Experts warn that this trend may affect the overall mental health level of society.
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However, an interesting phenomenon is happening in many cities: people are rediscovering the value of nature.
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Urban planners and residents are taking seriously plans to integrate green spaces into cities.
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Parks are no longer just decorations but are seen as the green lungs of cities.
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New York's High Line, Singapore's vertical gardens, and Seoul's Cheonggyecheon stream are examples of reshaping the relationship between cities and nature.
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Even in the densest city centers, one can now find rooftop gardens, community gardens, or small wetlands.
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The benefits of these green spaces exceed imagination.
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Research shows that people in green environments have lower blood pressure, less stress hormones, and stronger immunity.
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Children's experience playing in green spaces is associated with better cognitive development.
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Adults have found ways to reduce stress through walking in nature.
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Moreover, green spaces are economic assets for cities.
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Real estate near parks is more valuable, which attracts investment and new residents.
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Healthier residents work more efficiently and have fewer sick days.
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Cities thus gain a virtuous cycle: invest in green → healthier people → higher productivity → more tax revenue.
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However, problems also exist.
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While wealthy communities can build and maintain beautiful parks, poor areas are often forgotten.
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This leads to unequal outcomes: those who need nature access the most often have the least.
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Children in low-income communities cannot experience the benefits of nature for body and mind.
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The movement to green cities must be inclusive, or it will only exacerbate existing social inequality.
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Fortunately, some cities have already realized this.
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When making policies, they ensure that every community, regardless of income level, has access to green spaces.
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Some cities even require new development projects to include a certain percentage of green space.
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Future cities may look very different.
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Imagine a city where trees are as important as buildings, and water flows through every neighborhood.
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This is not a dream but a possible reality.
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By re-establishing the connection between humans and nature, cities can become not only more beautiful but also healthier and more just.
Vocabulary
- 代价 dàijià · cost; price; price to pay
城市生活的一个代价是与自然的距离。 — One cost of city life is the distance from nature. - 混凝土 hùnníngtǔ · concrete
在混凝土和钢铁中成长的孩子。 — Children growing up among concrete and steel. - 密切相关 mìqièxiāngguān · closely related; closely connected
缺乏自然接触与心理健康问题密切相关。 — Lack of nature contact is closely related to mental health problems. - 焦虑 jiāolǜ · anxiety
增加焦虑和抑郁的风险。 — Increase the risk of anxiety and depression. - 抑郁 yìyù · depression
增加焦虑和抑郁的风险。 — Increase the risk of anxiety and depression. - 绿肺 lǜfèi · green lungs (metaphor for parks' role in city ecosystems)
公园被认为是城市的绿肺。 — Parks are seen as the green lungs of cities. - 屋顶花园 wūdǐnghuāyuán · rooftop garden
在城市中心，可能发现屋顶花园。 — In the city center, one can find rooftop gardens. - 超乎想象 chāohū xiǎngxiàng · exceed imagination; beyond expectation
这些绿色空间的好处超乎想象。 — The benefits of these green spaces exceed imagination. - 血压 xuèyā · blood pressure
人们具有更低的血压。 — People have lower blood pressure. - 免疫力 miǎnyìlì · immunity; immune strength
更强的免疫力。 — Stronger immunity. - 认知发展 rènzhī fāzhǎn · cognitive development
与更好的认知发展有关。 — Associated with better cognitive development. - 良性循环 liángxìngxúnhuán · virtuous circle; positive cycle
城市因此获得了一个良性循环。 — Cities thus gain a virtuous cycle.
Grammar notes
- …不仅仅是…，更是…
This pattern emphasizes escalation: 'not only is it [X], but it's more importantly [Y]' — it highlights that the second part is even more significant than the first.
这不仅仅是文化上的损失，更是健康上的问题。 — This is not only a cultural loss but also a health issue.
- 越来越多的…表明…
This pattern introduces growing evidence: 'increasingly more [evidence/research] shows that...' — it emphasizes a trend in understanding.
越来越多的研究表明，缺乏自然接触与心理健康问题密切相关。 — More and more research shows that lack of nature contact is closely related to mental health problems.
- 虽然…但…
This pattern presents contrast: 'although [condition A], but [opposite result B]' — it shows contradiction or conflict between two ideas.
虽然富裕社区能够建造美丽的公园，但贫困地区往往被遗忘。 — Although wealthy communities can build beautiful parks, poor areas are often forgotten.
Quick quiz
What does the article identify as a health consequence of city life?文章指出城市生活的什么健康后果？
According to the article, how do green spaces benefit cities economically?根据文章，绿色空间如何对城市经济有益？
What problem does the article raise about green city initiatives?文章提出了绿化城市计划的什么问题？
What solution does the article suggest for equitable green city development?文章建议的公平绿化城市发展的解决方案是什么？