History & Geography · Grade 7 · Global Settlements: Patterns and Sustainability · Term 3

Urban Land Use Patterns

Examine how space is used in a city, including residential, commercial, industrial, and green spaces, and the factors influencing these patterns.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• ON: Global Settlement: Patterns and Sustainability - Grade 7

About This Topic

As more people move into cities, the need for sustainable urban design becomes increasingly urgent. This topic explores how cities can reduce their environmental impact while improving the quality of life for their residents. Students will learn about innovations like green roofs, permeable pavement, expanded public transit, and high-density housing that preserves surrounding natural areas. They will also examine the concept of the 'circular economy' within a city, where waste is minimized and resources are reused.

The curriculum focuses on the 'triple bottom line' of sustainability: environmental health, economic viability, and social equity. Students will analyze examples of sustainable cities from around the world and within Canada. This topic is best taught through 'design-a-city' projects and collaborative investigations into local sustainability initiatives.

Key Questions

1. Analyze the factors that influence the location of different land uses within a city.
2. Explain the concept of 'urban sprawl' and its environmental consequences.
3. Differentiate between various types of residential, commercial, and industrial zones.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the factors influencing the spatial distribution of residential, commercial, and industrial zones within a city.
• Compare and contrast the characteristics of different types of urban land uses, including residential, commercial, industrial, and green spaces.
• Explain the concept of urban sprawl and evaluate its environmental and social consequences.
• Identify and classify specific examples of urban land use patterns in a given city map or aerial photograph.

Before You Start

Human Settlement Patterns

Why: Students need a basic understanding of why and where people settle to comprehend the development of urban areas.

Map Skills and Spatial Thinking

Why: The ability to read and interpret maps is essential for analyzing urban land use patterns and spatial relationships.

Key Vocabulary

Residential Zone	An area designated for housing, ranging from single-family homes to high-rise apartments.
Commercial Zone	An area primarily used for businesses, retail stores, offices, and entertainment venues.
Industrial Zone	An area dedicated to manufacturing, production, warehousing, and related activities.
Green Space	Areas within a city set aside for parks, recreation, conservation, or natural habitats.
Urban Sprawl	The uncontrolled expansion of low-density development outward from a city into surrounding rural areas.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Sustainable cities are too expensive to build.

What to Teach Instead

While the initial cost can be high, sustainable cities save money in the long run through lower energy costs and better public health. A 'long-term savings' chart can help students see the economic benefits.

Common Misconception

Sustainability is only about the environment.

What to Teach Instead

True sustainability also includes social factors like affordable housing and accessible transit. A 'sustainability triangle' activity can help students balance environmental, economic, and social goals.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: Sustainable City Case Study

Groups research a city known for its sustainability (e.g., Curitiba, Freiburg, or Vancouver). They create a 'top 5' list of the city's best innovations and present them to the class.

50 min·Small Groups

Simulation Game: The Green Neighborhood Design

Pairs are given a 'gray' city block and a budget to make it 'green.' They must choose from a menu of options like bike lanes, community gardens, and solar panels, explaining the benefits of each choice.

45 min·Pairs

Think-Pair-Share: Transit vs. Cars

Students discuss the pros and cons of prioritizing public transit over cars in a city. They share their thoughts on what would make them more likely to use a bus or a train.

20 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• City planners in Toronto use zoning bylaws to regulate land use, determining where new housing developments, shopping centers, and factories can be built to manage growth and infrastructure needs.
• Real estate developers analyze demographic data and transportation networks to decide the optimal location for new commercial properties, such as retail plazas or office buildings, aiming to maximize customer access and visibility.
• Environmental scientists assess the impact of urban sprawl on local ecosystems, studying how the conversion of farmland and natural habitats to residential areas affects biodiversity and water quality in regions surrounding cities like Calgary.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Provide students with a simplified map of a fictional city. Ask them to label three distinct zones (residential, commercial, industrial) and write one sentence explaining the primary activity in each zone. Then, ask them to identify one potential consequence of urban sprawl on this map.

Quick Check

Display images of different urban landscapes (e.g., a downtown core, a suburban neighborhood, a factory district, a large park). Ask students to write down the dominant land use type for each image and one factor that might have influenced its location.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Imagine you are a city council member. What are the most important factors to consider when deciding where to locate a new large shopping mall versus a new public park?' Facilitate a discussion where students justify their choices based on land use principles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a city 'sustainable'?

A sustainable city is designed to have a minimal environmental impact. This includes efficient public transit, renewable energy, waste reduction, green spaces, and high-density, walkable neighborhoods.

How can public transit help the environment?

Public transit reduces the number of individual cars on the road, which lowers greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. It also reduces traffic congestion and the need for massive parking lots.

What is a 'green roof'?

A green roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation. It helps insulate the building, reduces stormwater runoff, and provides a habitat for birds and insects.

How can active learning help students understand sustainable cities?

By designing their own 'green' neighborhoods, students move from being passive consumers of information to active problem-solvers. Active learning encourages them to think creatively about how to balance the needs of a growing population with the health of the planet.