This is the teacher notes page identifying the outcomes addressed in these lessons. Copy each lesson link and send it to your students. For printable versions of these materials log into the teacher information section of the Department of Education.

Introduction

As the world’s urban population increases, the need to build sustainable cities becomes even more important. According to the United Nations, “managing urban areas has become one of the most important development challenges of the 21st century”. In this series of lessons, students will conduct research into elements of sustainable city design. It is very important that this work is kept by students as it will be used next week when designing their sustainable city.  

Learning intention 

Students: 

• develop an understanding of the link between urban planning and sustainability 

• develop an understanding of the social, economic and environmental impacts of urban planning. 

Success criteria 

Students: 

• apply their understanding of sustainability and urban planning to identifying design ideas and analysing their effectiveness   

Content 

Australia’s urban future  

Students:  

• investigate the management and planning of Australia’s urban future, for example:  

• explanation of strategies used to create economically, socially and environmentally sustainable urban places 

• proposal of ways for individuals and communities to contribute to a sustainable urban future 

Outcomes 

A student: 

• explains processes and influences that form and transform places and environments GE5-2 

• analyses the effect of interactions and connections between people, places and environments GE5-3 

• assesses management strategies for places and environments for their sustainability GE 5-5 

• acquires and processes geographical information by selecting and using appropriate and relevant geographical tools for inquiry GE 5-7