StarDestroyer.Net BBS

Is it just a sci-fi thing to make things interesting, or why is it for some reason many of the planets of major races are either desolate wastelands or rustic wilderness (forrests, plains, etc.)? I’ve heard of few places like Corellia or Chandrilla.

Either because they arent inhabited by an advanced civilization, or the species prefer it that way (Wookies on Kashyyk are highly advanced but like living in wooden tree-houses).
Also most highly developed planets will tend towards 'Coruscantish" levels of buildings (Nar Shadaa) or if it's a "home planet" (Alderaan) the level of preservation will be higher although Alderan was considered uniqely preserved and under industrialized (On purpose).

If there is major shipping in the area then the docks and related businesses will likely be in orbit (though this is logic and not a hard and fast rule)

It probaly due to on purpose presevation and/or "primitive" culture, we have city planets like Corusant, Taris and Nar Shaddaa.

And it's Kashyyyk

There are plenty of "Earth-like" diverse climate, populated planets, its just that many of the worlds that we see in detail are on the outer Rim, and thus younger settlement wise, or worthless wasteland. As has been said, amny older worlds become completely covered in cities or industrial parks and junkyards, but some orlder worlds do retain a balance of enviorment and civilization, like:

-Alderaan
-Corellia
-Chandrilla
-Cardia
-Naboo
-Onderon
-Kaut

etc.

Most SW words are diverse in climate and such. Hell, even Endor is-- the movie takes place in a forested part, but there's also grasslands, mountains, glaciers, etc.