My original (and ongoing) goal with the development of the ‘Sustainable Urbanism & Planetary Health’ curriculum is to create modules that are age-appropriate and flexible for use for primary and secondary school students.
The overarching curriculum concept that I’ve designed is also adaptable for a university workshop series- ideally with an interdisciplinary focus and students from different departments.
This brings significant, but also welcoming, challenges. Designing a Sustainable Urbanism learning project around the topic of ‘Public Transportation’, for example, will look very different for 6-year-olds vs 16-year-olds.
The ultimate aim is to design a program that is a global and public resource.
But that’s what is also truly exciting and motivates me with this curriculum development- the call to craft a program that can be designed in age-appropriate ways as well as be engaging and inspiring for students and educators alike.
Late last month, I had 3 different pitch meetings for this program. Through these pitch meetings, I was also able to identify gaps to work on in communicating the concept, as well as to get ready for piloting the program later this year locally in Poland, as well as remotely in partnership with select educators and community organizers. The ultimate aim is to design a program that is a global and public resource. The pilots will help with identifying areas to improve.
As this is a highly relational and experiential program, there will always be learning about process. The cultivation of an international network of educators and organizers working with the curriculum is also an important feature, to facilitate global knowledge exchange on issues of urban and community resilience as well as solidarity and connection between educators, organizers, and students involved in the program.
Via the vehicle of Pedestrian Space as NGO, I am preparing a slow and intentional rollout of the program with pilots this year, gearing up for more global activations of the program in 2027.
Curious to be involved or collaborate? Contact us at info@pedestrianspace.org
-Annika