In modern cities an increasing number of people do not know their neighbor and never feel a sense of community. What are the causes of this situation? How can we change it?

In an era when 1a growing proportion of the population livesa mounting number of population lives in urban regions, the phenomenon that residents tend to be unfamiliar with their neighbors and lack a sense of community and 2belongingbelongings has sparked an intense debate. From my perspective, the prevalence of the Internet and urbanization trends may contribute to this phenomenon. In order to address it, the government should take immediate and effective measures. To begin with, there is no denying that the popularity of the Internet and portable digital devices, including mobile phones, tablets and laptops, 3weakens the tiesestranges the relationships between neighbors. With its convenience and efficiency in communication, individuals get accustomed to utilizing mobile phones to interact with their friends or families, which can transcend geographical and temporal barriers. However, online chatting characterized by insufficient face-to-face communication may impair people’s capabilities to 4distinguish others' emotionsdistinguish others emotions through subtle facial 5expressionsexpression and body 6languagegestures. 7Therefore, when people want to socialize with their neighbors, they tend to ignore their genuine feelings. Besides, digital indulgence means that netizens are immersed 8in the virtual world and activitiesin virtual world and activities such as 9scrolling through short videosscrolling short videos, playing games and chatting with strangers, reducing their free time 10forto offline communication with neighbors. More importantly, 11due to the configuration of modern cities and the structure of buildingssince the configuration of modern cities and structure of buildings, it is difficult for citizens to 12become acquainted withacquaint with their neighbors. 13Undoubtedly, compared to the past when dwellers 14inhabited bungalowsinhabit in bungalow with large public spaces, contemporary cities are packed with apartments and skyscrapers where 15people’s privacy ispeople’ privacy are being strengthened at the expense of public areas for social interaction to promote interpersonal relationships. First and foremost, the government can allocate more funds towards the construction of community centers with more amenities, which can enable neighbors to engage in communal activities and make 16friendsacquaintances with each other. Furthermore, it is advisable for the local authority to enact some policies or regulations to incentivize the face-to-face interactions. For instance, 17residentspersons who develop a sound relationship with their 18neighborsneighbor can be rewarded 19with a reasonable sum of subsidieswith reasonable sum of subsidies to stimulate other people’s motivation.