In a Perfect World

A look at creating a sustainable city

Instructions: The world is in trouble. Pollution is out of control. Global warming is
starting to cause noticeable changes in our environment. The world has come
together to try and solve these issues. The U.N. Secretary of Climate Realignment is
looking for a special solution.
Their idea? To completely start over... One city at a time. Cities around the world are
being chosen to start over. The citizens of these cities will be relocated and the city
will be demolished and redesigned from scratch into an environmentally friendly
city.
Your group has been selected as a team of city designers that will make a sales pitch
to be the global leaders. Your group has been chosen because you each specialize in
a different area and together and you will attempt to create the perfect city.
You will identify a site of your choice. You will explain the factors that made you
choose that area of the world. What are the physical features of the region and what
are the benefits/challenges of this region. Also, you will be creating a city that will
have viable public (and private) transportation possibilities, renewable energy
sources, programs for water and waste recycling, energy efficient buildings, natural
parks and green space. Finally, you will need to analyze some challenges of creating
such a community, such as, population growth, cost, increasing urbanization. How
the physical environment may your community in the future (how does will your
community prepare for the impact of rising sea levels (if you choose a coastal city)
because of melting polar ice caps, earthquakes, violent storms as a result of climate
change, desertification, etc.).
You will present your proposal to the U.N. Secretary of Climate Realignment, Mr.
Bond. In this Dragons Den style of presentation, you will need to convince the
Secretary why your city design is superior to the other teams designs and location.
The other teams are encouraged to participate in each presentation by asking
relevant questions of the teams.
Checklist
Your project must include the following elements:
o Title page and name of the new community
o Create a map that shows where your new community is located and a map
that shows the layout of your city (e.g. where is your farmland, business
centre, industrial area. Think community land uses)
o Description of the regional physical landscape
o Population (you can use the current population of that city)
o Break down of gender, ages, any other info you find important
o What are the benefits and challenges of being located in this area/region

o
o
o
o

o Focus on their climate (is it a tourist destination), what are the

physical features and surroundings (are they close to other economic
centres, is the land type able to support your ideas, are they at risk for
natural disasters?), what natural resources are available (can it be a
part of their economy, is it needed for survival?), site, situation
How will the community be using sustainable/renewable energy sources
o Public (and private) transportation possibilities
o Renewable energy sources
o Programs for water and waste recycling
o Energy efficient buildings
o Natural parks and green space
The future of your community (only discuss the ones that best apply to your
community)
o How the physical environment may your community in the future
o How well is your community prepared for the impact of rising sea
levels (if you choose a coastal city) because of melting polar ice caps
o Earthquakes
o Violent storms as a result of climate change
o Desertification
o Any other possible natural processes you can think of
Maps, graphs, pictures, and any other relative information or demonstration
you find important
Use subheadings to separate your sections
Bibliography
o List of websites, books, you have learned information from
BE CREATIVE!!!

Dividing up the work

o Each group member focuses on a renewable/sustainable energy source
o Public and private transportation
o Renewable energy sources
o Programs for water and waste recycling
o Energy efficient buildings and natural parks/green space
o The rest can be divided up accordingly:
o Create maps of community (at least 2), find maps, graphs, pictures for
group
o The future of the community
Discuss how your community will be prepared for future
natural emergencies
o Physical landscape (human and physical factors), population
o Benefits and challenges of location (can work with future person
because some benefits/challenges are related to possible natural
emergencies)
o Everyone should have input on the community name (community flag
possibly?)

Presentation
You must provide a typed good copy of your research (time will be provided in
class). As a group, you will also be presenting your research to the class using one of
the following ways:
PowerPoint, Prezi, a poster, a news report, a pre-recorded iMovie video, or a format
of your choosing (approved by the teacher).
Steps to follow:
1- Wisely choose your group members
2- Choose your community location
3- Make a list of keywords and phrases that will help you research your
particular community
4- Divide up the work
5- Research your topic, write notes in your own words, form opinions
6- Keep track of websites or books that you have taken information or ideas
from
7- Prepare a good copy of your research
8- Present your project to the class
Possible websites to use:
o
o
o
o
o

Google.ca
http://www.greenecocommunities.com
http://www.nrdc.org/sustainable-communities/
http://www.sustainablecommunitiesindex.org
From the Library Services start up page, use the Expert Space link

LIst of communities that may have some components/ideas for your new
community :
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Melbourne, Australia
Gothenburg, Sweden
Alvstaden, Sweden
Waitakere City, New Zealand
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Bafut, Cameroon
Incheon, South Korea
London Borough of Sutton, United Kingdom
Leicester, United Kingdom
Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Key terms/phrases for my research

Research organizer
Physical Landscape

Population

Benefits of Location

Challenges of
Location

Energy Sources

Other Information

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

LEVEL 4

Limited details
about the
physical
landscape

Some information
about the
physical
landscape

Gives clear
information about
physical
landscape, human
factors, climate,
site, situation

Extensive information
about physical
landscape (including
site and situation),
human factors, climate,

Gives simple
population
information

Gives partial
population and
gender
information

Gives proficient
population, gender,
cultural information

Gives insightful
population, gender,
cultural information

Limited benefits
or challenges of
living in the
region

Gives some
benefits and/or
challenges of
living in the
region

Gives thoughtful
information about
both the benefits
and challenges
living in the of the
region

Offers thorough
information about
benefits/challenges of
living in the region

Shows an
awareness of
renewable
energy. Makes
no comparison
to other cities

Displays partial
knowledge of
renewable energy
and makes an
attempt to
compare to other
cities

The future of the

community

Displays limited
awareness of
environmental
challenges with
limited or no
examples of
other
communities

Provides some
information about
how the future
challenges are
met with some
examples of other
communities

Create two maps

Basic map of
city. No specific
details.

Maps with some

elements and
details of
community land
use

Description of the
regional physical
landscape

Population

Benefits and
challenges of being
located in the
community/region
(transportation,
climate, economy,
physical features)
Renewable Energy
Sources
(How are you going to
use renewable/
sustainable energy)

Include maps, graphs,

pictures, etc.

Use subheadings and

have a bibliography

No maps,
graphs, pictures
No subheadings
and no
bibliography

Some maps,
graphs, pictures
Some
subheadings and
limited
bibliography

Demonstrates
considerable
knowledge of
renewable energy
and provides some
evidence and
examples of where
else it is being
used
Clearly presents
ideas and
information of how
the community will
meet future
challenges with
examples of other
communities
Two maps that
show location,
community land
use, some map
elements
Includes thoughtful
maps, graphs,
pictures
Appropriate
subheadings and
bibliography

Exhibits exceptional
understanding of how
to use renewable
energy and gives
detailed evidence and
examples of where else
it is being used
Proposes extensive
information about how
the community will
meet the future
challenges and
provides detailed
examples of other
communities
Two detailed maps that
show location,
community land use, all
map elements
Relevant maps, graphs,
pictures, related to
topics and placed in
appropriate places
Appropriate
subheadings and
detailed bibliography