New
New
Year 8

The future of cities

I can explore how cities may look and function in the future.

New
New
Year 8

The future of cities

I can explore how cities may look and function in the future.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Smart cities use technology to improve urban life.
  2. Urban planning will focus on climate mitigation and adaptation in future.
  3. Future cities will rely on renewable energy and green tech.
  4. Advances in transport will shape future city living.
  5. The function of cities may change as more of their traditional functions go online.

Keywords

  • Smart city - a city that uses digital technology to improve services and quality of life

  • Sustainability - meeting needs today without harming the future

  • Urban planning - designing and managing how cities grow and change

Common misconception

Cities can’t do much to stop climate change because it’s a global problem.

While climate change is a global issue, cities can make a big difference by reducing emissions and adapting their infrastructure to protect people and the environment.


To help you plan your year 8 geography lesson on: The future of cities, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage students to connect ideas about future cities with issues in their own local area—such as traffic, pollution, or green spaces—to help them see how global trends could affect their own lives.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions:

Correct Answer:Urban,Area with lots of buildings and people

Area with lots of buildings and people

Correct Answer:Green space,Parks, trees and natural areas in a city

Parks, trees and natural areas in a city

Correct Answer:Infrastructure,Roads, electricity, water supply and transport

Roads, electricity, water supply and transport

Q2.
Which of these is most likely found in an urban area?

Wheat fields and barns
Correct answer: Tall buildings and bus stations
Beaches and coral reefs
Forest trails and mountain huts

Q3.
Why might people want to live in cities?

Correct answer: More job and education opportunities
Fewer homes and transport options
Less access to healthcare
All the buildings look the same

Q4.
Which of these is a challenge of urban life?

Low cost of housing
Quiet surroundings
Correct answer: Traffic congestion and pollution
Small number of people

Q5.
Which of these describes green space in a city?

Correct answer: A local park with trees and grass
A multi-storey car park
A motorway
A block of flats

Q6.
Some people think all cities are crowded and polluted. Which of these shows a better understanding?

All cities are exactly the same
Cities don’t have any nature
Correct answer: Cities vary – some are clean and well-planned
Cities are all in poor countries

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

5 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions:

Correct Answer:Smart city,Uses digital tech to improve city life

Uses digital tech to improve city life

Correct Answer:Sustainability,Meets needs now without harming the future

Meets needs now without harming the future

Correct Answer:Urban planning,Designing and managing how cities grow

Designing and managing how cities grow

Q2.
What is a smart city designed to do?

Use more cars and roads
Expand as fast as possible
Correct answer: Improve life using digital technology
Avoid any planning or rules

Q3.
Urban helps make decisions about how cities grow.

Correct Answer: planning

Q4.
Which of these shows a sustainable city feature?

Correct answer: Renewable energy and cycle paths
Streets with no bins
Only roads for cars
Using more fossil fuels

Q5.
Some people believe cities can’t help stop climate change. Which statement shows a better understanding?

Correct answer: Cities can reduce emissions and improve infrastructure
Cities must wait for other countries to act
Cities can’t do anything without factories
Climate change only affects rural areas