New
New
Lesson 11 of 12
New
New
- Year 8
Sustainable cities
I can explain how cities can be made more sustainable.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Sustainable cities prioritise environmental and social well-being.
- Renewable energy reduces a city's carbon footprint.
- Sustainable transport reduces emissions and congestion.
- Green spaces improve urban health, climate resilience, and enrich society.
- Urban waste management is more sustainable if more people reduce, reuse and recycle.
Keywords
Sustainability - meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
Carbon footprint - a measure of the total amount of greenhouse gases that are released as a result of our actions
Green space - parks, trees and nature in cities
Common misconception
Sustainability is only about protecting the environment.
Sustainability also includes improving people’s lives and meeting their needs fairly.
Emphasise that small actions, like using public transport or recycling, are part of wider sustainable city strategies. This helps students feel their actions matter.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their definitions:
Match the keywords to their definitions:
Q2.Cities often have a high population .
Cities often have a high population .
Q3.Which of these is an example of a service in a city?
Which of these is an example of a service in a city?
A mountain
A desert
A forest
Q4.What is a residential area in a city?
What is a residential area in a city?
A place with only factories
A national park
A road with only buses
Q5.Which of these statements is true about cities?
Which of these statements is true about cities?
Cities never have green space.
Cities always have fewer people than rural areas.
Cities don’t need any services.
Q6.Which of these is a challenge of city life?
Which of these is a challenge of city life?
Plenty of wildlife
Few buildings
Long distances between homes
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their definitions:
Match the keywords to their definitions:
Q2.Which of the following is a benefit of green space in cities?
Which of the following is a benefit of green space in cities?
Makes room for more roads
Stops people walking or cycling
Increases noise and traffic
Q3.Why is sustainability important in cities?
Why is sustainability important in cities?
Cities don’t need to plan for the future
Cities don’t affect the environment
Cities should focus only on money
Q4.Some people believe sustainability is only about the environment. Which of these shows a fuller understanding?
Some people believe sustainability is only about the environment. Which of these shows a fuller understanding?
It’s just about saving trees and oceans
It only matters in rural areas
It means stopping all development
