City Resilience Quest: Designing Tomorrow's Metropolis

High School Grade

Project
6 weeks

City Resilience Quest: Designing Tomorrow's Metropolis

Susan Holderread

Purpose

This project invites students to collaboratively explore and design innovative solutions for urban resilience. By integrating applied arts and social studies, students will investigate how cities can adapt to challenges such as climate change, economic shifts, and social dynamics. Through hands-on activities, students will prototype models, engage with community stakeholders, and present their findings to envision sustainable and resilient urban futures.

Learning goals

Students will analyze the concept of urban resilience by examining social, economic, and environmental factors that contribute to sustainable city development. They will collaborate to design and propose innovative solutions for enhancing resilience in their own communities. Through interdisciplinary research and creative expression, students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, culminating in a presentation that showcases their findings and proposals.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
NGSS - HS-ETS1-1: Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.

Products

Students will collaborate to design and present a comprehensive urban resilience plan for a fictional city, incorporating elements of sustainable infrastructure, social equity, and emergency preparedness. Throughout the project, they will create scaled models or digital simulations of their proposed designs, supported by research and data analysis. By the end of the project, students will produce a multimedia presentation that includes visual aids, a written report, and a public exhibition showcasing their innovative solutions to community stakeholders.

Launch

Kick off the project with a city resilience simulation game where students assume roles as city planners, emergency responders, and community leaders. Present them with a series of escalating challenges such as natural disasters, economic crises, or social unrest, and task them with developing strategic responses. After the simulation, facilitate a reflection session where students discuss insights and draw connections to real-world city resilience strategies.

Exhibition

Host a "Resilient City Expo" where students present their city resilience designs through interactive models, digital presentations, and art installations. Invite community members, local city planners, and other stakeholders to engage with the students' work and provide feedback. Incorporate a panel discussion led by students to address their findings and proposed solutions, fostering a dialogue on community resilience.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Activities	Engage in a city resilience simulation game to understand roles like city planners and community leaders, responding to challenges such as natural disasters and economic crises.	Participate in a facilitated reflection session to discuss insights from the simulation and identify key aspects of urban resilience.	Conduct initial research on urban resilience by examining case studies of resilient cities and identifying elements that contribute to their adaptability.	Form interdisciplinary teams to brainstorm ideas and identify specific challenges related to urban resilience in their fictional city.
Deliverables	1. Reflection journal entry summarizing key learnings from the city resilience simulation. 2. Research summary of a case study on a resilient city, outlining major strategies and outcomes. 3. Team brainstorming document outlining initial ideas and potential challenges for their fictional city's resilience plan.
Preparation	1. Prepare and set up the city resilience simulation game, ensuring all roles and scenarios are well defined and materials are accessible. 2. Gather and curate a range of case studies and resources on urban resilience from diverse cities around the world. 3. Create team formation guidelines and tools to facilitate effective group dynamics and interdisciplinary collaboration. 4. Set up a digital collaboration platform for teams to share research and documents throughout the project.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Activities	Conduct a neighborhood walk or virtual exploration to identify local urban resilience challenges and opportunities.	Engage in a workshop on design thinking principles to guide innovative problem-solving approaches.	Collaborate in teams to map out the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis) of their fictional city based on research and observations.	Begin drafting initial sketches or digital mock-ups of proposed solutions for enhancing urban resilience in the fictional city.
Deliverables	1. A SWOT analysis document detailing the findings from the neighborhood walk or virtual exploration. 2. Initial design sketches or digital mock-ups highlighting proposed solutions for urban resilience.
Preparation	1. Organize a neighborhood walk or gather resources for a virtual exploration that highlights local urban resilience issues. 2. Develop a workshop session on design thinking, including resources and activities that demonstrate the process. 3. Prepare materials and templates for conducting a SWOT analysis, ensuring students have clear guidelines and examples. 4. Provide access to sketching tools or digital design software for students to create their initial solution concepts.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Activities	Conduct interviews with local city planners, architects, or sustainability experts to gain insights into real-world urban resilience strategies.	Participate in a collaborative workshop to refine design concepts and integrate feedback obtained from interviews.	Begin developing a prototype of one key aspect of their proposed urban resilience solution using physical materials or digital tools.	Engage in peer review sessions to provide and receive constructive feedback on prototype development.
Deliverables	1. Interview summary report detailing key insights and takeaways from conversations with experts. 2. Refined design concept, incorporating feedback from experts and peers, documented in a project journal. 3. Initial prototype of a selected aspect of the urban resilience plan, accompanied by a brief explanatory note.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with local professionals to arrange interviews, either in-person or virtually, and provide students with a list of suggested questions. 2. Prepare materials and guidelines for the collaborative workshop, focusing on integrating feedback into design refinement. 3. Gather prototype materials such as cardboard, 3D printing resources, or access to digital prototyping tools. 4. Set up a structured peer review process with clear criteria to guide students in giving and receiving feedback effectively.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Activities	Conduct a field research or virtual exploration to gather data on specific urban resilience challenges in local or global contexts.	Engage in a data analysis workshop to interpret and draw conclusions from the collected data regarding urban resilience.	Collaborate in teams to integrate data analysis findings into their urban resilience design concepts, identifying potential solutions or enhancements.	Develop a detailed plan for testing and evaluating the effectiveness of their prototypes, considering criteria for urban resilience.
Deliverables	1. Field research report summarizing data collected and initial interpretations related to urban resilience challenges. 2. Updated design concept document incorporating data-driven insights and proposed enhancements. 3. Testing and evaluation plan that outlines methods, criteria, and metrics for assessing prototype effectiveness.
Preparation	1. Coordinate field research opportunities or provide resources for virtual exploration, ensuring alignment with project goals. 2. Organize a data analysis workshop, including resources, software tools, and activities to aid student understanding. 3. Prepare guidance materials for integrating data analysis into design concepts, including examples and templates. 4. Develop a framework for creating a testing and evaluation plan, with criteria and examples to help students structure their approach.

Week 5	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Activities	Conduct a prototype presentation session where each team presents their current prototype to the class, focusing on the design process, challenges faced, and intended impacts on urban resilience.	Facilitate a feedback session where peers provide constructive input on the presented prototypes, focusing on strengths and areas for improvement.	Engage in a workshop to incorporate peer feedback into the prototypes, refining and enhancing the designs based on the insights shared.	Collaborate with teams to draft a detailed implementation plan for their urban resilience solution, including steps for real-world application and potential challenges.
Deliverables	1. Revised prototype that incorporates peer feedback and improvements. 2. Draft of a detailed implementation plan outlining steps for applying their urban resilience solution in a real-world context.
Preparation	1. Organize a schedule for prototype presentations, ensuring each team has adequate time and resources to present. 2. Develop guidelines for providing constructive peer feedback, including criteria and examples. 3. Prepare resources and materials for the workshop aimed at refining prototypes based on peer feedback. 4. Create a template for the implementation plan, highlighting key components such as action steps, timeline, and potential obstacles.

Week 6	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Activities	Conduct a final rehearsal for the 'Resilient City Expo' where students practice presenting their urban resilience plans with models and multimedia presentations.	Host the 'Resilient City Expo' for community members, stakeholders, and peers, showcasing each team's urban resilience designs and solutions.	Facilitate a reflective discussion session where students share insights gained from the expo, including feedback from attendees and reflections on the project journey.	Compile a collaborative project report that includes each team's design process, research findings, prototypes, and reflections on their learning and the impact of their proposed solutions.
Deliverables	1. Finalized presentation materials and models for the 'Resilient City Expo'. 2. Collaborative project report documenting the entire project process, findings, and reflections.
Preparation	1. Coordinate the logistics for the 'Resilient City Expo', including space setup, inviting community members, and arranging presentation equipment. 2. Provide feedback and guidance during the rehearsal sessions to ensure presentations are clear, engaging, and well-structured. 3. Prepare reflection prompts and a discussion framework to facilitate meaningful reflection and sharing among students post-expo. 4. Compile a template for the collaborative project report, outlining sections and expectations to guide student submissions.