Colony Planets

See here. Poul Anderson makes the capital city of a colonized extrasolar planet seem very real as do Jerry Pournelle and SM Stirling. On Wunderland in the Alpha Centauri system, New Munchen is shanty suburbs and shoddy factories whereas Old Munchen is:

curving tree-lined streets between hills beside a wide river;

flowers, cafes, University quadrangles, courtyards, fountains, parks, the Ritterhuuse;

a great square with bronze statues of the Nineteen Founders;

a beercellar and fireworks after the graduation-night feast.

This is comparable to Anderson's description of Starfall on Hermes. And there is the same threat. All that has been built is vulnerable to alien aggression. It is worth fighting for but it would be fatal to fight in it with modern weapons.