Creating “green cities” is a challenge for all countries of the world. These types of cities contribute to a better environment for people and animals, economic vitality, social wealth and spiritual fulfillment.

Roadmap

1. Divide the class into teams of 4 students.
   
2. Pair each group with a global city that is a leader in environmental, social and/or economic sustainability. Interesting examples are Curitiba, Reykjavik, Vancouver, Barcelona, Malmö, Sydney, Dubai and Freiburg. The sustainability meter is and useful tool to investigate the sustainability of Dutch municipality: http//www.duurzaamheidsmeter.nl/index.php?topic=2013-2014&style_id=0
   
3. Teams examine one or more of the following categories of “their” city: air quality, water, land use, transportation, energy, food and agriculture, green buildings, waste management, and public health.
   
4. If possible, invite a local municipal official to talk about the sustainability plan for the town or village where the school is located.
   
5. Each team presents its findings to the whole class.
   
6. Using criteria they set themselves, students vote on which town or village they think is most progressive in terms of sustainability.