High rise office building and modern apartment buildings are slowly taking the place of older houses and buildings in many cities. Some people consider this a sign of progress

Flourishing downtown areas typically consist of multistory office and apartment office and apartment buildings. In my city, old downtown buildings are regularly demolished to make way for development. While some people welcome such changes, others are concerned about this trend. It is not just the appearance of the city that is affected; issues such as quality of life and cultural heritage are also at stake.

Modern buildings are preferred by many because they are better suited to our needs. Building upwards allows more people to live and work within the same area, and modern architecture incorporates better facilities, such as air conditioning and underground parking. Many people feel that a city should not live in the past but should move with the times. A thriving, modern city has a more dynamic atmosphere and is more interesting to live and work in. Furthermore, modern development attracts investment, and this benefits the economy as a whole.

On the other hand, traditional buildings are considered by many to be aesthetically superior to modern designs. They argue that traditional architecture is not only more attractive but it is also an important part of our national heritage, and the character of a city is in danger of being lost because numerous houses with traditional features, such as courtyards, are demolished. Rather than razing them, builders could renovate and modernize them, thereby increasing their market value. This has happened with neo-classical buildings in the central Athens districts of Plaka and Thisio, and properties in these areas are now considered highly desirable.