Can you be a Town Planner?

This lesson could take two sessions, planning and building a sustainable city.

Lesson steps

Ask the children about cities they have visited.

Can they recall some of the issues cities have?

What should a sustainable city have?

Ask the children to share ideas.

Show Sustainable Cities and Communities presentation.

Sustainable Cities and Communities

Learn about what is already happening to make cities more sustainable.

Split the children into small groups to carry out their own research about sustainable cities.

Tell the children their research will help them when planning and building their own sustainable city.

Sustainable Cities Research

Use the internet to carry out your own research about sustainable cities.

Share the children’s research and ideas.

What elements will children include in their cities?

Learning outcomes

In groups, create a 3D sustainable city.

Through research recognise the essential things that are needed for a sustainable city.

Questions

Why do cities need to be more sustainable?

Vocabulary

Sustainable

Community

Recycling

Energy

Water

Green spaces

Congestion

Housing

Urban area

Activity ideas

Part 1: Design your own sustainable city

Research a new sustainable city using the links provided. Create a name for your city and decide its location. Use the information from the Sustainable Cities and Communities presentation as well as your own research.

Part 2: Make your own sustainable city

Ask children to create 3-D models from their 2-D sketches. Place children in their groups to think about how to carry out their build. Children can decide on what materials to use. Draw landmarks around their 3D models. Use junk modelling, clay, LEGO or a mixture of all elements. Allow time for this session.