The Future of Sustainable Cities Starts with Envisioning Sustainable Schools
Written by Isabel Hausrath and Izzi Volonte
Have you ever imagined what the future of cities looks like? Sustainable cities use social, economic, and environmental management practices that provide resources to communities without compromising future generations' security.
With the annual Green Schools Conference coming up, educators can discuss what these concepts look like when applied in the classroom and around campus. The first steps to greener cities start in schools, where we can empower the next generation of sustainable leaders and envision a brighter future!
But first, what does a sustainable city look like?
Several factors go into designing them, including:
diverse transportation options,
renewable energy, and
well-planned water, land, and waste management practices.
We’ll see how some of these concepts can be applied to schools on a smaller scale later. But first, let’s differentiate non-sustainable cities from sustainable cities!
A city’s design and energy use can significantly determine environmental and human health impacts.
For example, cities that mainly use fossil fuels as an energy source experience more significant pollution due to emissions from power plants, vehicles, and home equipment (ex. gas stoves), which can increase the likelihood of certain health conditions like asthma. On the other hand, cities that incorporate renewable energy resources, energy efficiency, and electrification into their city planning reduce such health impacts since exposure to emissions is limited.
A great example of this is Copenhagen, Denmark! Copenhagen is among the leading cities in carbon neutrality. They’ve invested in renewable energy and smart energy systems, resulting in fewer emissions, better air quality, and healthier citizens.
67% of Copenhagen’s energy comes from renewable sources, mostly wind farms and biomass!
District heating and cooling systems use locally produced energy to regulate building and industrial site temperatures.
Easy access to efficient public transport means fewer cars on the road.
Let's look at some key structural features to better grasp how we can build a sustainable city.
Bringing a City to Life
Educators can introduce concepts of urban greening in the classroom with Energy is Everything’s lesson, Designing Sustainable Cities. This interactive 9-12th grade lesson allows students to explore the elements that make a sustainable city!
Systems Thinking
When we think of cities, we conceptualize them as a smattering of non-living elements working in separate systems. It may be hard to imagine how a city’s car infrastructure could be directly connected to its recycling programs. Still, to transition towards sustainable cities, we must begin to imagine urban areas as living, connected beings. This idea is known as systems thinking, which treats cities like an interconnected system we may find in nature. For the city system to remain healthy, each component must work efficiently and the capital, knowledge, materials, and energy flow must work together.
Biomimicry
A key component of systems thinking in sustainable cities is the concept of biomimicry, or the process of analyzing natural systems or naturally occurring phenomena to create new models for human innovation. Wind turbines are an excellent example of using biomimicry! The shape of turbine blades mirror the pectoral fins of humpback whales to promote aerodynamic flow. If we look closely, nature will always provide the blueprint for human innovation!
Circular Economy
Applying systems thinking and biomimicry in a city results in what is known as a circular economy. A circular economy uses biomimicry to replicate the zero-waste mechanisms of natural systems. These economies prioritize reusable, repairable, or re-manufacturable materials and produce minimal waste. Waste produced in one system becomes food for another, creating a cohesive, self-sustaining system that provides for its inhabitants and the environment! Components in a circular economy could include
dynamic building architecture that is adaptable to various climactic conditions and serves as a hub for public use
renewable/non-toxic building materials that can be recycled or used as biofuel
Takeaways
Building or transforming existing cities into sustainable hubs is no small feat, but the foundations of this green future are right at our fingertips. If we turn back to nature and adopt the frameworks of zero-waste systems, we can reimagine how we interact within major urban areas.
The design concepts that build a sustainable city can apply to schools on a smaller scale! Schools around the country are adopting sustainable practices to be eco-friendly spaces for student learning. So, what do these elements of sustainable design look like in a school?
Here are just a few of many real-world examples of initiatives that schools have taken to be cleaner and greener:
Electrifying school buses to move toward carbon-neutral student transportation
Building garden beds with upcycled materials to teach about fresh produce and plant cultivation
Educating students about composting and recycling to minimize school waste
Landscaping with biodiverse, local plant species to support pollinators and wildlife while beautifying outdoor spaces
Upcycling materials for art projects to reduce the consumption of new materials
Incorporating low-flow water features, rainwater harvesting infrastructure, and smart landscaping to conserve water
And many more!
Want to learn more about sustainable design in schools? Check out the Green Schools Conference hosted by the United States Green Building Council! There will be opportunities to learn about sustainable facilities, zero-waste, and empowering youth to take climate action (among many other topics!) To make supporting green projects more accessible, there will also be opportunities to learn how schools can leverage grants and funding at the state and federal levels to fund environmental initiatives.
The Green Schools Conference schedule is packed with opportunities to learn actionable sustainability plans and share them with the next generation. Allowing students to explore and apply these ideas to hands-on activities gives them access to green career exploration and inspiration. In a growing field like green urban development and planning, we must expose students to these concepts early in their education so that they have access to those fields later on and empower them to build toward a sustainable future.
Additional Resources
Designing Sustainable Cities - An Energy is Everything lesson PDF designed to show students the inner workings of a sustainable city and concepts in biomimicry, the circular economy, and systems thinking.
Urban and Regional Planners - Online database where students and early professionals can explore careers in urban and regional planning.
Cities and the Circular Economy Deep Dive - Optional deep dive into the circular economy and its importance to sustainable cities.
Green Schools Conference - Learn more about the Green Schools Conference here.
The California Green Ribbon Schools Award Winners - Is your school site on the list of “Green Achievers?” Check out this year's list of honorees!