OP Unit 8 Urbanisation; boon or bane?

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• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Urbanisation; boon or bane?

Objective Proficiency Unit 8

Objectives:        Speaking:    discussing city life and urban sprawl

                                Listening:    video on Urban Sprawl

                                Grammar:    inversion

                                Reading and use of English:  Parts 2, 4 and 7

The pros of city life

What do you think draws people to the city?

Assignment:

In groups of 3 or 4: think of 6 reasons why people prefer to live in cities. Then, catagorise them in order of importance. Number one being the most important reason for people to be a city dweller, etc.

Why be a city dweller?

8 Things That are Great about Living in a City

1. Public Transportation

2. Dining Options are Endless

3. The Commute is Short

4. The Skyline is Stunning

5. Social Clubs are Everywhere

6. Entertainment Comes in a Lot of Forms

7. They're Diverse

8. They're Energetic                                                               (www.forbes.com)

The cons of city life

When talking about urbanisation we talk about the push and pull of cities. We've discussed the pull part, but what are the disadvantages of city life? What's the pull of rural life?

What are the disadvantages of city life?

Have you ever heard of 

Urban Sprawl?

https:

According to the United Nations’ latest report on populations in cities, by 2030, “urban areas are projected to house 60 percent of people globally and one in every three people will live in cities with at least half a million inhabitants”. 

Growing in both size and number, cities are hubs of government, commerce, and transportation, and in 2021, the world’s 20 largest cities are home to half a billion people. In fact, one in five people worldwide lives in a city with more than 1 million inhabitants.

                                      www.archdaily.com

Tokyo is the largest city on a global level, with a total of more than 37 million residents.

So,

In the upcoming 30 years we need to build cities for some 3 billion people! Many cities will see their resident numbers grow to several millions and more!. What should these cities look like? Mention 3 aspects that are vital to keeping cities liveable and sustainable.

In pairs: mention 3 aspects that are vital to keeping cities liveable and sustainable.

Cities of the future

You're going to watch a TEDTalk on how to build better cities for present en future generations. It is important that you take notes while you watch. These you will need for the group discussion of this subject later on.

Speaking assignment

1. You've watched the TEDTalk of Peter Calthorpe and taken notes.

2. Choose one of two following articles on this subject. Read it and make a vocabulary list of unfamiliar words (add this list to the following slide):

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/jul/10/should-we-build-cities-from-scratch             or

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/may/24/will-covid-19-show-us-how-to-design-better-cities.

3. Prepare for a discussion of urban sprawl and future cities. (See debate questions slide 17)

Wordlist:

In groups of 3 answer the following questions and be aware of your English and that of the others. Try to vary your vocabulary as much as possible, try to use expressions and use a variety of grammatical structures.

1. Why is urban sprawl a hazard to the well-being of urban population? (tip: Perhaps you should start by defining well-being)

2. What is the antidote to the implications of urban sprawl?

3. Can you mention and explain the 7 principles of Peter Calthorne that are imperative for building good cities?

4. Which of these 7 principles do you think are most important? Choose 3 and sustain your answer.

5. Can you imagine yourself living in a city with 30 million inhabitants? What impact would that have on you?

In groups of 3:

Role 1: the assessor  : listens to and assesses both speakers

Role 2: speaker 1

Role 3: speaker 2

1.     Speakers discuss and answer questions 1 and 2  (3 minutes)   >>> Feedback 

 

2.    Speakers discuss and answer questions 3 and 4 (3 minutes)    >>> Feedback

3.     Speakers discuss and answer question 5 (2,5 minutes)     >>> Feedback

TAKE TURNS. EVERYONE IS THE ASSESSOR ONCE

Unit 8

Reading: pages 66/67

Vocabulary: page 66

Grammar: inversion ex. 1 - 4 pages 68 - 69

Idiom spot and Vocab ex 4 and 5 on page 70,