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| Miranda Mason ('19) |
Shanghai has the most beautifully forested streets. Along the path to any destination, between skyscrapers, in baskets in the middle of highways, and in every other nook and cranny of the urban jungle, color and texture evoke the feeling that we are strolling through a garden. The city is one of the largest in the World, but there is nowhere I can stand outside without seeing the green of life.
The beauty of Shanghai is not merely aesthetic, but also utilitarian. In a city as big as this, pollution can contribute to smog that reduces the beauty of the place. For some people, the pollutants cause illness or asthmatic reactions, a danger to citizens and visitors. Some people wear facial masks as countermeasures against the bad air. However, the city of Shanghai has enacted better countermeasures than trying to filter the air on an individual level.
The city has planted thousands and thousands (if not more) of trees within its area. Trees line the streets and fill the parks. Bushes and flowers are abundant in every location. These plants serve to clean the air of the city.
The city has planted thousands and thousands (if not more) of trees within its area. Trees line the streets and fill the parks. Bushes and flowers are abundant in every location. These plants serve to clean the air of the city.
Beside cleaning the city, plant life serves as a refreshing feature of a city that would otherwise consist largely of neutral colors. The look is beautiful and provides shade. The greenery also reduces the amount of heat that is absorbed in the area, making it cooler for people than if the landscape was only asphalt, brick, stone, and concrete.
I find that the abundance of plants brings balance to what I like about a place. In rural areas, I appreciate nature. In urban places, I enjoy the diversity of things to do and cultures to appreciate. Shanghai attempts to provide the best of both worlds.
Shanghai is not alone in its endeavors. Xi’an has also
proven to be abundantly green. Once again, every street is
accompanied by lines of trees and there are parks and gardens as well. I look forward to seeing if Beijing is similarly refreshing. So far as I can see, Chinese cities are very green. Whether the foliage is present for cleanliness, beauty, feng shui, or a respect for nature, I wholeheartedly approve, and hope to see more places like this in the future.
I find that the abundance of plants brings balance to what I like about a place. In rural areas, I appreciate nature. In urban places, I enjoy the diversity of things to do and cultures to appreciate. Shanghai attempts to provide the best of both worlds.
Shanghai is not alone in its endeavors. Xi’an has also
proven to be abundantly green. Once again, every street is
accompanied by lines of trees and there are parks and gardens as well. I look forward to seeing if Beijing is similarly refreshing. So far as I can see, Chinese cities are very green. Whether the foliage is present for cleanliness, beauty, feng shui, or a respect for nature, I wholeheartedly approve, and hope to see more places like this in the future.
Miranda Mason, of Corinth, Ky., is a member of the McConnell Scholars of 2019. She studies Medicine and Society at the University of Louisville.