Our Year 12 Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) students recently stepped into the role of urban planners for a high-stakes design challenge. Each “firm” was tasked with pitching urban features for our local community to support Prague’s progress toward UN Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities. By applying the Doughnut Model of Economics, students balanced essential social needs like affordable housing, healthcare, and transport while staying within our planet’s ecological limits. Drawing inspiration from sustainable leaders like Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Singapore, teams worked against a 90-minute clock to build scale models of “future-ready” features using mostly recycled and repurposed materials.
The results were a masterclass in circular thinking. Bright spots included the excellent embedding of renewables, energy efficiency, and mitigation strategies to address the planetary boundary of climate change. Students also showed a cautious use of space to protect biosphere integrity and land use boundaries. Several teams went the extra mile by discussing the intrinsic and instrumental value of green spaces and how local knowledge can improve climate resilience. The project culminated in rapid-fire elevator pitches where students defended their designs against challenges like urban sprawl, the urban heat island effect, and waste management, proving they are ready to design a more sustainable world.This problem-based learning approach allowed students to develop as Inquirers and Thinkers, moving beyond the classroom to tackle real-world complexities with the urgency and collaboration required of future global citizens.
Chas Beven
Teacher of Biology