Build Your Own Equitable City
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by: ASU Global Futures|Published on: July 20, 2021
Lesson Plans
Scientist Reviewed
789101112
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this 45-minute urban planning activity from ASU Global Futures, students will design a city with equitable infrastructure for all of its citizens.
- Students will also learn how environmental racism impacts historically marginalized populations and how proper urban planning can result in more environmentally just cities.

Subjects: Engineering
Authors: ASU Global Futures
Region: North America, United States
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The slides and teacher's script are already prepared, making this lesson easy to use.
- The links in the lesson provide additional information about the topic for students and teachers.
Prerequisites
- Teachers will need the slides and the teacher's script to execute this lesson.
- Teachers should review the materials (links to articles, slides, and teacher's script) for better class readiness.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Instead of drawing the city on paper, students can make a three-dimensional model or use mapping software to make a digital city.
- History and social studies classes can use this activity in a unit on environmental racism or redlining and this activity could easily be integrated into computer science and design classes.
- Have younger students work in groups or pairs and provide additional support by providing possible solutions or a number of options for students to choose from.
- Other resources on this topic include this article about environmental racism and this film on building a world that promotes environmental justice and equity for all.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
ASU College of Global Futures
The ASU College of Global Futures is committed to creating and providing curricular resources that span a diverse range of topics--including food systems, sustainability, quality of life and well-being, decision-making for sustainability, and much more. The lessons are applicable for grades 6-9 with variations presented that will enable teachers to tailor the activities for more ages outside of that range.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →




