Theme 1: Sustainable Places

In this theme students examine the concept of place and what is required to ensure that places are sustainable into the future. Places are geographical locations with interacting human and environmental features. The ways in which economic, demographic, social, political, and environmental processes shape these places determine their sustainability and liveability in the present and future. The interconnected challenges faced in places, including population change, employment, transport infrastructure needs, housing, demands for improved health and education services, and other matters related to liveability, are a particular focus of this theme. Students think critically and creatively about ways in which places and spaces might be better designed to meet current and future challenges and ensure sustainability.

Topic 1: Rural and/or remote places

Students examine the characteristics of rural and/or remote places. These may be places where people live, such as farms, mining towns, or regional centres, or natural environments, such as national parks or conservation areas. Students may consider the factors influencing why people, including Indigenous communities, live in, migrate to, visit, or leave these places. Such factors may include employment, transport connections, service provision, isolation, remoteness, access to natural resources, and lifestyle choices.

Students develop their knowledge and understanding in the following key areas:

• location and characteristics of rural and/or remote places
• challenges facing rural and/or remote places
• opportunities provided by rural and/or remote places
• liveability and sustainability of rural and/or remote places
• a case study of a rural and/or remote place.

Topic 2: Urban places

Students examine the growth and development of towns and cities over time. For metropolitan and regional cities, aspects for study may include liveability, urban sprawl, car dependency, walkability, public transport, environmental degradation, green spaces, urban planning, and service provision. Students examine how governments, planners, communities, interest groups, and individuals try to create sustainable places.

Students develop their knowledge and understanding in the following key areas:

• definitions and characteristics of urban places
• processes of urbanisation
• how land use in urban places is organised
• urban planning and development
• liveability and sustainability of urban places
• a case study of a sustainable urban place.

Topic 3: Megacities

Students examine the development and growth of megacities, in both developing and developed countries. On a global scale, the growth of megacities is influenced by world population growth and has an impact on human well-being. This growth has created a range of environmental, social, and economic challenges for people living in such cities and for governments. These challenges may include water, air, and noise pollution, waste management, service provision, crime, land loss, and employment. How people and organisations respond to these challenges may determine the nature, sustainability, and liveability of megacities into the future. Students develop an understanding of what could be required to create sustainable urban environments that meet the needs of people within formal and informal settlements.

Students develop their knowledge and understanding in the following key areas:

• definitions and characteristics of megacities
• factors causing the rise of megacities, including migration and push and pull factors
• changing global distribution of megacities
• environmental, social, and economic challenges and responses
• community and well-being within informal settlements
• a case study of a megacity.