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Year 8 - Geography

Sustainable cities

Cities: What are they like to live in?

Unit Summary

This unit teaches pupils about how cities have grown and developed over time. Life in contrasting cities is explored through focussing on Manila and London.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain how cities can be made more sustainable.

Key Notes

  • 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.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • 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 Mistakes To Avoid

  • Sustainability is only about protecting the environment.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.

Sustainable cities prioritise environmental and social well-being. Renewable energy reduces a city's carbon footprint.

2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'sustainability'

meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.

Mistake: Sustainability is only about protecting the environment. Correction: Sustainability also includes improving people's lives and meeting their needs fairly.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 8 Geography guide library.