Daily Life

Why Sydney will no longer remain a livable city by 2035

By Leela Ghimire

As mentioned, this is hasty generalization on why Sydney will no longer remain a Livable City by 2035 i.e in next 20 years, these are some assumptions made on a day to day experiences of one individual living in this city for just about two and half years. These assumptions are not fact driven and in social science though assumptions are also derived from different numerical facts collected, what one should not forget is these are again mere assumptions which may change in due course of time because of different unexpected factors coming and going on the way.

This generalization will not try to deal minutely or will not classify the different reasons on the basis of their nature, like whether they are economical or social or technological. Instead these are some random points of reasons observed from a single men's perceptions and how these perceptions about Sydney are gradually changing towards bad.

Again while these assumptions will definitely not help government planners and policy makers to to some major changes reading this, some people might try and change their own behavior on certain things which they feel they were doing not-right. This will surely help to strengthen the base of Sydney to remain a Livable City even after 2035. And this is not an assumption. Its a fact.

NSW government's planning division has projected that this State's population will rise by 2 million by 2031. While moderate population is a major factor for a place to be livable, more population will lead to a disastrous living.

Photo: Leela Ghimire

More people means, high demands of living spaces, daily consumption essentials, high demands for infrastructures, more job demands, more vehicles and traffic. These high demands on everything will certainly create a certain level of imbalance. With these imbalances we cant imagine a Livable city.

Sydney is regarded multicultural city. And Sydneysiders are proud of this. While branding this city as a multicultural, the need to balance the numbers of immigrant populations will be a challenge. Imbalance in these numbers will be again a disaster, that is to say majority will start ruling the minorities creating a threat of fear and chaos.

Trains and public transportation are already crowded, "Keep Left on Steps/Escalators" Signs are never obeyed.

Drinking/Smoking on trains, platforms are no longer taken as crime. Traveling without a valid ticket is already frequent.

It seems like elderly, less mobile people, pregnant women are given less priority on public areas.

A high rise in Sydney. Photo: Leela Ghimire

Traffic rules are increasingly ignored. Pedestrians stopping in Red light is rare. The numbers of drivers ignoring the Zebra Crossings are on rise while drivers giving way to pedestrians in areas without traffic lights and Zebra Crossings is just an imaginations.

The number of drivers on the roads with international license are in Rise. This is also a major threat to road safety.

Sydney is getting expensive everyday. High real-estate price for example.

A level of Racism certainly have risen. 

Photo: Leela Ghimire

Sydney is getting dirtier each and everyday. More cigarettes buts than flowers in the streets and everywhere. Anyone can see smokers smoking in restricted public/private areas without fear.

Consumption of alcohol in public areas and on the streets are on the rise. Early morning lying of beer/alcohol bottles on the roads and in the streets are clear proofs.

The youth between the age of 15 and 25 are fearless. One can certainly feel that the non-school goers population of this age group are in rise. 

Trade/Labor related workplace environment is increasingly disastrous. Good workplace practices are dumped in the bin. Fair trade no more exists in majority of these workplace.

Education standard are decreasing each year. Universities outside Sydney are ranked better even in Australia. Issues of plagiarism are regularly covered in the news. Students buying research works to submit to their universities are increasing. 

Other diploma and short term courses are jokes. Majority of these courses offering institutions are meant to make, only money. Most of the students gain no knowledge but definitely earn a certificate/degree after completing these courses. There are frequent news about diploma and certificate level courses, degrees, qualifications are too on sale.

Rumors of making a student unsuccessfully in one/two units of his/her course intentionally by some universities and forcing the student re-admit on the failed unit just to make extra money is heard to be in practice now. 

Most of the commuters in the Sydney public transport prefer to travel alone and are always busy with their own mobile. They looks for a empty seat and prefers to sit alone. Almost everyone prefers to stand rather than share seat with someone already in the Seat. This is making Sydneysiders unsocial and unfriendly. Receiving a smile is rare now. Its serious.

One can easily find their neighbors around them who are in a way or other misusing the government's  benefits like Unemployment benefits, Centrelink Benefits, Child/Parents related benefits.

Post and Photos by: www.myzoomlens.com

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