Part 3 | Public places, government funding, and cities versus countryside

What kind of public places are there in your hometown? There are many. We have historical landmarks from 100 to 300 years old, we have many museums, parks and gardens as well as athletic fields. What kind of public places do older and younger people like? I think older people like seeing many of the religious centers whereas younger people enjoy the areas provided for sport. In general, both ages take advantage of the numerous parks and gardens for walks and conversation. So there you can really witness all walks of life. Should the government invest more money in public places? Yes, without a doubt it should. I think that any country that counts tourism as one of its major industries has a responsibility to provide and maintain public spaces. It's unreasonable to expect tourists to appreciate the beauty of our land if we give the impression that we as a country do not. By this I don't mean that the government must fund new constructions but I do believe that by maintaining what you already have, you show a particular pride in the place and that is understood and appreciated by all who visit. What is the difference between the city and the countryside? The difference is like night and day! In terms of what we have been discussing, I think the countryside has less government intervention. Any initiative taken there is usually citizen-led and privately owned and operated. This carries with it both advantages and disadvantages. So citizens who are somewhat forward-thinkers will try to improve the quality of life in the countryside but unfortunately, these people are few and far between. Also, the countryside is much poorer in terms of infrastructure. Hospitals, transport and education are all concentrated around the city. However, it goes without saying that the countryside offers natural beauty that one cannot easily find in the city. Why do more and more people migrate from countryside to the city? I believe the reason behind this is the notion that the city offers more opportunities. It is a correct notion in my opinion. The city does in fact offer more in terms of job opportunities, cultural activities, entertainment choices - so generally speaking, the city offers more of everything. Clearly, there is a trade-off here, as there are also higher levels of stress, more congestion, higher expenses and more competition, but the advantages are still attractive enough to make the city an appealing option to many in the countryside.