Our Town 2050
Investigating and Defining
Generating and Designing
Producing and Implementing
Evaluating
Planning and Managing
How can you redesign elements of your town to ensure it thrives in 2050?
Investigating & Defining
Generating & Designing
Producing & Implementing
Planning & Managing
Evaluating
You will all be using the design process in this learning experience.
Design Challenge
Discover
Ideate
Develop
Showcase
Define
Refine
Deliver
Discuss
Investigating & Defining
Generating & Designing
Producing & Implementing
Evaluating
Suggested Timeline of Student-Centered Activities
Session | Stage | Activity |
1 | Investigating & Defining | Explore Solarpunk & Annotate Image |
1 | Investigating & Defining | Future Challenges Reflection |
2 | Investigating & Defining | Mind Map of Key Issues |
2 | Investigating & Defining | Sustainability Analysis (3 Pillars) |
3 | Investigating & Defining | Visual Research of Structures |
4 | Investigating & Defining | Design Brief (Starburst Template) |
4 | Investigating & Defining | Evaluation Criteria |
5 | Generating & Designing | Morphological Matrix & Idea Generation |
5 | Generating & Designing | Sketches & Concept Features |
6 - 8 | Producing & Implementing | Final Design (CAD or Sketch) |
9 | Planning and Managing | Production Planning |
10-14 | Producing & Implementing | Model Making |
15 | Evaluating | Design Reflection & Impact Evaluation |
Investigating & Defining
Generating & Designing
Producing & Implementing
Planning & Managing
Evaluating
Curriculum Area | Content Description |
Design and Technologies | Investigate how people in design and technologies occupations address competing considerations, including sustainability, when designing products, services and environments for current and future use |
Analyse how the design and innovation of products, services, and environments can respond to changing needs, opportunities, or sustainability challenges | |
Generate, test, iterate and communicate design ideas, processes and solutions using technical terms and graphical representation techniques and appropriate attributions | |
Investigate and make judgments on how characteristics and properties of materials, systems, components, tools, and equipment can be combined to create designed solutions | |
Evaluate design ideas, processes and solutions based on functional, aesthetic, ethical, environmental, economic and social factors using evaluation criteria developed with consideration of sustainability | |
Effectively and safely use a broad range of materials, components, tools, equipment, and techniques to produce designed solutions for intended purposes | |
Critical and Creative Thinking | Pose questions to probe assumptions and investigate complex issues |
Investigate and evaluate the strength of arguments and evidence in assessing conflicting perspectives | |
Geography | The distribution and influence of accessibility to services and facilities on people’s perceptions of the liveability of places |
Examine strategies to create sustainable futures in relation to environmental, economic and social challenges, and explain the likely effects of these strategies | |
Ethical Capability | Examine how problems may contain more than one ethical issue, comparing the relative significance of each issue and recognising areas of contestability |
Explore the extent of ethical obligation and the tension between respecting the rights of others and having a responsibility to the wider community | |
Sustainability | Analyse and evaluate the impact of decisions and actions on the sustainability of resources |
Reflect on how sustainable practices and worldviews influence the development of strategies that support sustainable futures |
LEARNING MAP
(Depending On Student Choices)
Investigating & Defining
Generating & Designing
Producing & Implementing
Planning & Managing
Evaluating
Feedback Rubric
Stage | Task | Below the Level | Working Towards the Level | At the Level | Above the Level |
Investigating & Defining | Explore Solarpunk & Annotate Image | Image is missing or lacks annotations | Image is present with minimal annotations or unclear links to town redesign | Image is annotated with relevant elements and clear connections to town redesign | Image is annotated with insightful comments and detailed connections to sustainability and urban design |
| Future Challenges Reflection | Few or no challenges identified, lacks explanation | Some challenges identified, but explanations are brief or unclear | Challenges are well-identified with clear reasoning for their impact | Challenges are thoroughly analyzed with deep insights and examples |
| Mind Map of Key Issues | Mind map is incomplete or lacks structure | Mind map identifies some key issues, but connections are weak | Mind map effectively organizes key issues and related aspects | Mind map is detailed, well-structured, and shows deep analysis of interconnections |
| Sustainability Analysis (3 Pillars) | Few sustainability solutions presented, lacks explanation | Some sustainability solutions identified but not well-supported | Sustainability solutions are well-explained across social, economic, and environmental aspects | Sustainability solutions are highly innovative, well-researched, and linked to real-world examples |
| Visual Research of Structures | Few images collected, no annotations | Some images collected with minimal annotations | A variety of images with clear annotations explaining relevance | Highly relevant images with detailed annotations, showing deep critical thinking |
Generating & Designing | Design Brief (Starburst Template) | Design brief is missing or lacks focus | Some aspects of the brief are present but unclear | Design brief is well-structured with clear objectives | Design brief is detailed, insightful, and demonstrates strong problem-solving |
| Evaluation Criteria | Few or no evaluation criteria listed | Some criteria listed but vague or incomplete | Clear, relevant evaluation criteria aligned with the design | Well-developed, specific criteria that enhance the design process |
| Morphological Matrix & Idea Generation | Few or no ideas generated | Some ideas generated but lack variety or relevance | A variety of ideas generated using the matrix | Highly creative, well-developed ideas that explore multiple innovative solutions |
| Sketches & Concept Features | Sketches are missing or lack detail | Basic sketches with minimal features | Detailed sketches with clear labels and explanations | Highly detailed sketches with annotations explaining functionality and sustainability |
Planning & Managing | Production Planning | Plan is incomplete or lacks detail | Some materials and steps listed but lacks depth | Clear plan outlining materials, tools, and process | Highly organized, efficient plan considering alternatives and challenges |
Producing & Implementing | Final Design (CAD or Sketch) | Design is incomplete or lacks clarity | Basic design with minimal detail or annotations | Clear, well-developed design with appropriate materials and textures | Highly polished, professional-level design with thoughtful annotations and presentation |
Generating & Designing | Model Making (Architectural Model) | Model is incomplete, lacks detail, or is poorly constructed | Model is constructed but lacks refinement or accurate proportions | Well-constructed model demonstrating scale, proportion, and key architectural features | Model is highly detailed, professionally presented, using high-quality materials and demonstrating advanced techniques |
Evaluating | Design Reflection & Impact Evaluation | Little or no reflection on design impact | Some reflection, but lacks depth or specific improvements | Clear evaluation considering strengths and areas for improvement | Deep analysis of design impact, including ethical, social, and environmental |
Investigating & Defining
Generating & Designing
Producing & Implementing
Planning & Managing
Evaluating
Explore Solarpunk
Explore the concept of Solarpunk online and try to identify key themes in this hopeful vision of a sustainable future.
�Choose one solarpunk image that you think could help to address the issues futures cities are facing, paste it in the space provided
�Annotate it, labelling all of the important elements that you think could be applied to a future version of Melbourne.
�.
Investigating & Defining
Paste
Favourite
Solarpunk
Image Here
Add
Annotations
Investigating & Defining
Generating & Designing
Producing & Implementing
Planning & Managing
Evaluating
Investigating & Defining
Future Challenges
Reflect on the suggested challenges facing your town's future and provide detailed explanations on why you think these issues will be challenging to tackle.
�Feel free to explore as many concepts as you wish before deciding on a specific area to concentrate on during the subsequent stages of the design process.
�
Challenge Category | Specific Challenge (2050) | Why Will This Be a Challenge? |
Economic | Fewer businesses in town | |
Economic | Limited Infrastructure | |
Social | Young people moving to cities for work | |
Social | Lack of affordable housing | |
Social | Mental health issues | |
Environmental | More extreme weather (fires, storms, floods) | |
Environmental | Loss of nature & wildlife | |
Environmental | Too much waste & pollution | |
Investigating & Defining
Generating & Designing
Producing & Implementing
Planning & Managing
Evaluating
Investigating & Defining
Fire Threat
Storms
Floods
Extreme Weather
Your Town 2050
Mind Map
Use the Mind Map template to organise your ideas and guide your project.
Key Issues (Blue Boxes):
Identify 4 key issues related to the future of your town and write them in the blue boxes.
Related Aspects (Red Boxes): For each key issue, list 3 related aspects in the red boxes.
Use the example and AI to help identify key issues and ways to address them.
Investigating & Defining
Generating & Designing
Producing & Implementing
Planning & Managing
Evaluating
Investigating & Defining
Identify 3 ways cities can be more sustainable
Socially
Environmentally
Economically
3 Pillars of Sustainability
Use the template to unpack 3 ways that your town could be more sustainable.
Environmentally
How can we design a future town that protects the environment and uses resources wisely?
Socially
How can we make a town fair, welcoming, and accessible for everyone?
Economically
How can a town create jobs and grow its economy while staying affordable and sustainable?
Use online research and AI
tools to find solutions or ideas.
Investigating & Defining
Generating & Designing
Producing & Implementing
Planning & Managing
Evaluating
Collect a broad range of examples from social media.
Annotate each example you find to explain what you learned from it.
You could also focus on different areas of interactive media design if helpful.
Add as many pages as required.
Investigating & Defining
Visual Research of Structures
Collect Images:
Find images of different structures that could be used to support your vision of your town in 2050.
Annotate Your Images:
For each image, write a short note explaining:
Organise and Reflect:
Add pages as necessary.
Investigating & Defining
Generating & Designing
Producing & Implementing
Planning & Managing
Evaluating
Share
What are the key areas you would like feedback on?
What challenges have you identified?
What opportunities have you identified?
What’s next?
Investigating & Defining
Generating & Designing
Producing & Implementing
Planning & Managing
Evaluating
Generating & Designing
Design Brief
Use this Design Brief Starburst template to identify specific things to focus on in your design project.
Choose one of the issues your group investigated to solve and identify the specific problem you are trying to solve
What specific problem are you trying to raise awareness of?
Who are you trying to help?
When will this be used?
Where will it be used?
Why is it needed?
How could it help?
What is the specific problem?
Who will you be helping?
Where will this be used?
Why is it needed?
How could it help?
What is the specific problem or opportunity you are hoping to address?
When will this be used?
Investigating & Defining
Generating & Designing
Producing & Implementing
Planning & Managing
Evaluating
Evaluation Criteria
Develop on a set of evaluation criteria that you will use throughout the design process to evaluate your design concepts.
Use information from your research and design brief starburst to identify 5 important requirements for your design concept.
You can use the following prompts to start your criteria.
It must …
It should…
It will…
Generating & Designing
It must be sustainable
It will encourage people to live and work in our town
Investigating & Defining
Generating & Designing
Producing & Implementing
Planning & Managing
Evaluating
Technology-Based Solution | Community & Social Solution | Policy & Government Action | Education & Awareness | Infrastructure |
Smart waste sorting & recycling tech | Zero-waste community initiatives | Laws to protect ecosystems | Entrepreneurship training in schools | Advanced water recycling systems |
Climate-resistant buildings & early warning systems | Community business incubators | Stronger climate adaptation policies | Teaching climate change adaptation | Electric vehicle charging stations |
Smart transport systems | Local networking & mentoring programs | Rent control & affordable housing policies | Career education focused on regional opportunities | Better road and bridge maintenance |
3D-printed eco-homes | Cooperative housing projects | Government investment in roads & public services | Teaching students about infrastructure planning | Expanded public transport networks |
AI-powered mental health apps | Emergency response teams & resilience training | Free regional mental health clinics | Mental health education in schools | High-speed internet for all areas |
Online marketplaces for local goods | Peer support & well-being programs | Funding for regional job creation | Sustainability education programs | Smart grids for renewable energy |
Remote work hubs & co-working spaces | Community tree-planting & wildlife protection groups | Tax incentives for startups | Teaching sustainable housing design | Affordable modular housing developments |
Rewilding projects & AI conservation tracking | Volunteer repair & maintenance groups | Bans on single-use plastics & stronger regulations | Environmental education in schools | Green urban spaces & rooftop gardens |
Use your personal knowledge and this Morphological Matrix to help generate ideas for the type of designs you will create for an audience of your choosing.
On the next page, you can mix and match options from each column to generate different design options.
Morphological Matrix
Generating & Designing
Investigating & Defining
Generating & Designing
Producing & Implementing
Planning & Managing
Evaluating
Design Option #1 | ||||
Technology-Based Solution | Community & Social Solution | Policy & Government Action | Education & Awareness | Infrastructure |
| | | | |
Design Option #2 | ||||
Technology-Based Solution | Community & Social Solution | Policy & Government Action | Education & Awareness | Infrastructure |
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Design Option #3 | ||||
Technology-Based Solution | Community & Social Solution | Policy & Government Action | Education & Awareness | Infrastructure |
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Generating & Designing
Use this page to create 3 possible design options to meet your design challenge.
Get feedback from others to help you decide which one to further develop into a final solution.
Investigating & Defining
Generating & Designing
Producing & Implementing
Planning & Managing
Evaluating
Create game structure proposals by selecting and combining different options in the Morphological Matrix page.
You can also start sketching ideas at this stage if it helps you to visualise your ideas.
Informal feedback from classmates might also help if you are stuck.
Choose your favourite structure to further develop in the following stages
Generating & Designing
Sketch your ideas for the features of your future town.
Add pages as necessary.
Future Town Concept Features
Investigating & Defining
Generating & Designing
Producing & Implementing
Planning & Managing
Evaluating
Share
What are the key areas you would like feedback on?
What challenges have you encountered?
What opportunities have you identified?
What’s next?
Investigating & Defining
Generating & Designing
Producing & Implementing
Planning & Managing
Evaluating
Create game structure proposals by selecting and combining different options in the Morphological Matrix page.
You can also start sketching ideas at this stage if it helps you to visualise your ideas.
Informal feedback from classmates might also help if you are stuck.
Choose your favourite structure to further develop in the following stages
Producing & Implementing
Show your final design concepts here
Final Design (CAD)
Add pages as necessary.
Investigating & Defining
Generating & Designing
Producing & Implementing
Planning & Managing
Evaluating
Planning and Managing
Use this page to help plan production of your prototype, whatever you think will be most effective approach for creating your design concept.
List all materials and equipment you think may be used.
Production Planning
Production Step | Proposed Process | Materials And Equipment Required |
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Investigating & Defining
Generating & Designing
Producing & Implementing
Planning & Managing
Evaluating
Add pages as necessary.
Evaluating
Your Evaluation Criteria | Potential of Your Design | Possible Improvements |
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Use this page to evaluate the potential of your design against the criteria you specified earlier.
Where possible identify further improvements that could be made.
What should be the positive impacts of your design?
What could be the potential negative impacts of your design?
Design Reflection
Investigating & Defining
Generating & Designing
Producing & Implementing
Planning & Managing
Evaluating
Feedback Rubric
Stage | Task | Below the Level | Working Towards the Level | At the Level | Above the Level |
Investigating & Defining | Explore Solarpunk & Annotate Image | Image is missing or lacks annotations | Image is present with minimal annotations or unclear links to town redesign | Image is annotated with relevant elements and clear connections to town redesign | Image is annotated with insightful comments and detailed connections to sustainability and urban design |
| Future Challenges Reflection | Few or no challenges identified, lacks explanation | Some challenges identified, but explanations are brief or unclear | Challenges are well-identified with clear reasoning for their impact | Challenges are thoroughly analyzed with deep insights and examples |
| Mind Map of Key Issues | Mind map is incomplete or lacks structure | Mind map identifies some key issues, but connections are weak | Mind map effectively organizes key issues and related aspects | Mind map is detailed, well-structured, and shows deep analysis of interconnections |
| Sustainability Analysis (3 Pillars) | Few sustainability solutions presented, lacks explanation | Some sustainability solutions identified but not well-supported | Sustainability solutions are well-explained across social, economic, and environmental aspects | Sustainability solutions are highly innovative, well-researched, and linked to real-world examples |
| Visual Research of Structures | Few images collected, no annotations | Some images collected with minimal annotations | A variety of images with clear annotations explaining relevance | Highly relevant images with detailed annotations, showing deep critical thinking |
Generating & Designing | Design Brief (Starburst Template) | Design brief is missing or lacks focus | Some aspects of the brief are present but unclear | Design brief is well-structured with clear objectives | Design brief is detailed, insightful, and demonstrates strong problem-solving |
| Evaluation Criteria | Few or no evaluation criteria listed | Some criteria listed but vague or incomplete | Clear, relevant evaluation criteria aligned with the design | Well-developed, specific criteria that enhance the design process |
| Morphological Matrix & Idea Generation | Few or no ideas generated | Some ideas generated but lack variety or relevance | A variety of ideas generated using the matrix | Highly creative, well-developed ideas that explore multiple innovative solutions |
| Sketches & Concept Features | Sketches are missing or lack detail | Basic sketches with minimal features | Detailed sketches with clear labels and explanations | Highly detailed sketches with annotations explaining functionality and sustainability |
Producing & Implementing | Final Design (CAD or Sketch) | Design is incomplete or lacks clarity | Basic design with minimal detail or annotations | Clear, well-developed design with appropriate materials and textures | Highly polished, professional-level design with thoughtful annotations and presentation |
Planning & Managing | Production Planning | Plan is incomplete or lacks detail | Some materials and steps listed but lacks depth | Clear plan outlining materials, tools, and process | Highly organized, efficient plan considering alternatives and challenges |
Evaluating | Design Reflection & Impact Evaluation | Little or no reflection on design impact | Some reflection, but lacks depth or specific improvements | Clear evaluation considering strengths and areas for improvement | Deep analysis of design impact, including ethical, social, and environmental |
Investigating & Defining
Generating & Designing
Producing & Implementing
Planning & Managing
Evaluating