Where to build shopping malls: أفكار لمقال IELTS

Some people think that new shopping centres should be built in the middle of towns, while others prefer sites on the outskirts. Both approaches have merits, but I believe town centres are the better choice.

Those who favour out-of-town locations point to practical advantages. Land is cheaper and more plentiful on the edge of a town, so developers can build large stores with generous car parks, which suits families who do their weekly shopping by car. Moving big shops away from the centre can also reduce traffic and noise on historic streets, and builders face fewer planning difficulties than in crowded areas.

However, I believe the case for the centre is stronger. A central shopping centre is accessible by bus, tram and on foot, so people who do not own a car, such as students and elderly residents, can reach it easily. This reduces the number of private journeys and therefore lowers emissions. Central sites also support the local economy. Shoppers who visit a mall in the middle of town are likely to stop at nearby cafes, markets and small independent shops, whereas an out-of-town mall draws all the trade into one place and leaves the high street empty. Many British towns suffered precisely this fate, with closed shops and a declining atmosphere after large retail parks opened on their edges. In addition, building within the existing urban area avoids using up green fields and farmland.

Admittedly, central development must be handled carefully to prevent congestion, for example by providing park-and-ride schemes and pedestrian zones.

In conclusion, although out-of-town centres offer cheap land and easy parking, shopping centres in the middle of towns are more accessible, more environmentally friendly and better for local businesses, and that is my preference.