For the Greater Good: Designing a Public Center That Strengthens the Community
Students discovering the tragedy of the commons.Copyright Tess Erickson, Dayton Public Schools, English Department.
Students tackle the challenge of designing a community center by asking, “What does my community need, and what role do I play in shaping it?” They explore their community’s strengths and challenges, comparing them to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals to identify key design elements. By analyzing both local and global communities, they discover features that contribute to meaningful and sustainable development. Using the engineering design process, students apply their insights to digitally create a community center in SketchUp that reflects their city’s needs while aligning with sustainability goals. They refine their ideas through two rounds of peer feedback and redesign, fostering collaboration and critical thinking.
Urban planners, civil engineers, and architectural engineers work together to design and develop sustainable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing communities. Urban planners focus on land use, zoning, and community needs to create long-term development strategies. Civil engineers ensure the structural integrity and safety of infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and water systems. Architectural engineers integrate building systems such as lighting; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC); and acoustics while collaborating with architects to design efficient and sustainable structures. Together, these professionals shape cities and communities, balancing functionality, sustainability, and the needs of the people they serve.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Explain how their actions and involvement can positively impact their community and beyond.
- Identify specific community needs using the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (U.N. SDGs).
- Design a virtual community center via SketchUp that meets criteria aligned with the U.N. SDGs.