A tale of two cities.One provides a textbook textbook Informatics A treatise on a particular subject. See Bible. lesson in urban design; the other is pure chaos. Singapore and Bangkok Bangkok (băng`kŏk'), Thai Krung Thep, city (1990 pop. 8,538,610), capital of Thailand and of Bangkok prov., SW Thailand, on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, near the Gulf of Thailand. could hardly be more different Singapore has been planned down to the last detail. It is efficient, fast-moving traffic is electronically controlled, and there is little pollution. Everyone is guaranteed affordable housing, there is almost no crime, and urban transit is swift and clean. In anything-goes Bangkok, many parents drive their kids to school at 4 a.m. to beat the traffic gridlock Gridlock A government, business or institution's inability to function at a normal level due either to complex or conflicting procedures within the administrative framework or to impending change in the business. . Pollution is so bad that the United Nations has warned parents that lead levels in the air are so high they may cause brain damage in their children. Bangkok has teeming teem 1 v. teemed, teem·ing, teems v.intr. 1. To be full of things; abound or swarm: A drop of water teems with microorganisms. 2. slums, whole neighbourhoods that are sinking, and chronic water shortages. It sounds as though there's no contest in where you'd want to live. But, Singapore's civility comes at price. Almost every aspect of life is highly controlled by government regulation. Hidden cameras watch for speeding drivers and there are stiff fines for spitting in the street and chewing gum chewing gum, confection consisting usually of chicle, flavorings, and corn syrup and sugar (or artificial sweeteners). Prehistoric people are believed to have chewed resins. . Telephones are often tapped and overseas calls recorded. |
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