In five groups of approximately four, you will receive an A3 sheet of paper, some markers, and a unique piece of paper that identifies a feature of your city (i.e. environmental, cultural, economic, etc.). You are to consider how you will address or account for your city’s unique feature; all other aspects of your city are up to your imagination and negotiation. Using the A3 sheet of paper, groups will brainstorm what your liveable city looks like. At this stage of development, you are only expected to write ideas. Research is encouraged!

In designing your city, consider the following:

1.     What will your city landscape look like? Will there be natural spaces, such as parks and nature reserves? What will housing look like? Will your city be low, medium, or high density, or a combination?

2.     How will you maintain your city landscape? How will you minimise environmental damage, such as pollution and littering?

3.     How will your city be powered? Does your city have a water source, and if so, what is it?

4.     What will transportation infrastructure look like? What public transport will you provide? Will your city be walkable and cyclable? If so, how? How will your city be connected to neighbouring cities/regions?

5.     What community and cultural facilities will you provide (i.e. health care, education, public spaces, recreational sites, etc.)? How will these facilities be physically and financially accessible? How will you foster social connectedness and a sense of community in your city (i.e. festivals, arts, cultural events, community events, etc.)?

6.     How will you ensure residents have access to adequate shelter, food, education, clean water, and other essential resources?

7.     What, if any, are the limitations to creating your liveable city? What is unique about your city, and how will you address this?

8.     How collaborative will your city design process be? Will you consult with prospective residents and local communities, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities? How will you ensure your city meets citizens’ needs?

After brainstorming, you will present a two-minute pitch on why your city is the most liveable. We will note differences and similarities amongst peer pitches and raise questions regarding peer cities.

Finish early? Up for an extra task? Draw a map of your city! What are the central features, and where will they be? What are the transport routes?

1.     Public transport – trains

2.     Public transport – trams

3.     Cycling

4.     Walking

5.     Driving

1)    Evaluate the liveability of their city with reference to the Global Liveability Index (studied in week 1).

2)    Conduct a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) of the group’s city.

3)    Consider whether you would live in the presented city. Discuss reasons why you would and/or would not move to the city.

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