Both the poem "The City Planners" (by Margaret Atwood) and "The Planners" (by Boey Kim Cheung) speak to the artificial aspects of a city. Each state their disappointment with the emptiness and monotony of how a city looks from the perspective of those who examine it.

Atwood seems to complain about the city (not named) through her poem by describing it as "offensive" and "abrupt." Similarly, Cheung's language mirrors Atwood's. Chung uses almost mathematical and scientific language to describe the city (again, not named). Chung states that the city is "gridded," with "dental dexterity," and hypnotic.

Both poets seem to be angered by the lack of natural scenery and originality. Each describe cities as containing rows of perfectly lined buildings, each cosmetically lined like "perfect rows of shining teeth" (to quote "The Planners").

In the end, both Atwood and Cheung see modern life and construction as lacking in spirit and completely artificial.