Đề thi VSTEP Reading B2 — Urban Rewilding

For decades, urban development has prioritized concrete buildings, wide roads, and manicured public spaces. This approach has pushed wildlife out of cities and reduced green areas to small, isolated patches. However, a growing movement called urban rewilding is challenging this model by encouraging nature to return to city environments. Urban rewilding involves creating or restoring ecosystems within cities. Projects may include planting native trees, restoring rivers and wetlands, and allowing wild meadows to grow in parks instead of maintaining neat lawns. Some cities have even introduced beavers, otters, and other native species back into urban waterways. Supporters argue that rewilding offers multiple benefits. It improves air quality, reduces flood risks, and supports biodiversity by providing habitats for insects, birds, and small mammals. Critics, however, point out that such projects can be costly and may conflict with existing land use. Despite these concerns, research suggests that even small rewilding efforts can significantly increase urban biodiversity over time.