Guiding questions
- To what extent are urban systems similar to natural ecosystems?
- How can re-imagining urban systems create a more sustainable future?
SL and HL knowledge statements
8.2.1 Urban areas contain urban ecosystems.
8.2.2 An urban area is a built-up area with a high population density, buildings and infrastructure.
8.2.3 An urban area works as a system.
8.2.4 Urbanization is the population shift from rural to urban areas.
8.2.5 Due to rural–urban migration, a greater proportion of the human population now live in urban rather than rural systems, and this proportion is increasing.
8.2.6 Suburbanization is due to the movement of people from dense central urban areas to lower density peripheral areas.
8.2.7 The expansion of urban and suburban systems results in changes to the environment.
8.2.8 Urban planning helps decide on the best way to use land and buildings.
8.2.9 Modern urban planning may involve considering the sustainability of the urban system.
8.2.10 Ecological urban planning is a more holistic approach that treats the urban system as an ecosystem, understanding the complex relationships between its biotic and abiotic components.
Knowledge statements for HL only
8.2.11 Ecological urban planning will follow principles of urban compactness, mixed land use and social mix practice.
8.2.12 Societies are developing systems that address urban sustainability by using models such as a circular economy or doughnut economics to promote sustainability within the urban system.
8.2.13 Green architecture minimizes harmful effects of construction projects on human health and the environment, and aims to safeguard air, water and earth by choosing environmentally friendly building materials and construction practices.
Practical activities
- Practical 8.2.3 – Create a systems flow diagram representing an urban system.
- Practical 8.2.9 – Investigate maps that show the urban development of a city over time.
Possible engagement opportunities
- Turn these into CAS activities connected to the UN SDGs.
- Investigate population change in the students’ own country and discuss impacts on society and options for population management.
- Volunteer with an organization that works to support those people who may have suffered from social and environmental inequity locally.
- Evaluate the extent to which a local urban environment is sustainable. Use SDG 11 — for sustainable cities and communities — to evaluate local sustainability.
- Engage in additional activities beyond the classroom, such as proposing smart city functionality for your school or community.
Happy learning!
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