About Unit 5

💭 Essential Question: How does urbanization shape cities and communities?

Unit 5: Urbanization explores why cities grow, how they are organized, and the opportunities and challenges that come with urban life. Students begin by investigating the economic, political, and cultural forces that drive urbanization. They then examine how city structure, land use, and urban opportunities shape people's daily lives before analyzing challenges such as housing, transportation, pollution, and sustainability. Throughout the unit, students evaluate how cities around the world respond to these issues and consider how thoughtful planning can improve quality of life. The unit culminates in a Socratic Seminar, where students synthesize evidence from across the unit to explain how urbanization shapes cities and communities. Throughout the unit, students develop the disciplinary skill of continuity and change over time, analyzing how cities have changed over time while also recognizing the patterns and functions that have remained consistent.