Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Geography
Lesson Topic: Urban structure and change: factors, changing location of activities, residential zonation
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the key factors that shape urban structure.
  • Explain how and why urban activities relocate over time.
  • Compare the concentric zone, sector, and multiple‑nuclei models of residential zonation.
  • Assess the influence of transport, policy and socio‑economic changes on residential patterns.
  • Evaluate the process and impacts of gentrification in urban areas.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • PowerPoint presentation with urban model diagrams
  • Handout summarising the three residential zonation models
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Worksheets for gentrification case‑study analysis
  • Access to an online mapping tool (e.g., Google Earth)
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick image of a city skyline and ask students where they think different social groups live. Link this to prior learning about economic sectors and transport networks. Explain that today they will explore why cities are organised the way they are and how those patterns change, with success measured by their ability to explain models and analyse a gentrification case.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5’) – students label a blank city diagram with CBD, residential zones, etc.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10’) – present factors influencing urban structure using slides.
  3. Model comparison activity (15’) – groups analyse Burgess, Hoyt, and Multiple‑Nuclei models and fill a comparison chart.
  4. Changing activity discussion (10’) – whole‑class discussion of de‑industrialisation, suburbanisation, globalisation, and technological change; quick poll for understanding.
  5. Gentrification case study (15’) – students work on a worksheet evaluating investment and demographic data, then share findings.
  6. Exit ticket (5’) – each student writes one factor that can reshape residential zonation and one recent example of change.
Conclusion:
Summarise how economic, transport and policy factors drive urban form and how activities shift over time. Invite a few students to share their exit‑ticket responses as a quick recap. Assign homework to research a local neighbourhood’s recent residential changes and prepare a brief report.