These are all great ideas. However, I think we need to BARE / BEAR / BEER in mind that ...

I feel very strongly that whatever changes are made should bring concrete benefits ? the community.

Many people are drawn to cities because of the promise of improved living...QUALITIES / FACTORS / STANDARDS

The lack of adequate facilities and services in shanty towns has had a seriously negative impact ? residents’ quality of life.

Urban SPREAD / SPRAWL / EXPAND is a problem which affects cities around the globe.

A variety of economic and social, as well as historical, factors have contributed ? the rapid growth of cities around the world.

I think it’s about time the council stepped DOWN / UP / TO / AWAY and provided the facilities we residents so desperately need.

The closure of the youth centre last year has led to an increase in vandalism and SMALL / PETTY / LITTLE / UNIMPORTANT crime .

Young people might not cause problems if they had something positive to channel their VIOLENCE / ENERGY / HATRED into, like football or boxing, for example.

The severe weather has put a lot of pressure ? the city’s energy resources.

The availability of cheaper housing often leads people ? settle in the outskirts of cities.

Urban REDESIGNING / RENOVATION / RETROFITTING involves finding creative ways to use spaces that already exist in the city, such as converting parking places into INSTANT / POP-UP / FLASH green spaces where residents can sit and relax.

Efforts to improve life for urban residents have resulted ? some highly innovative schemes, such as rooftop gardens and pop-up green spaces.