Lifelong Education: Citizenship Lessons for Life in More Sustainable Communities?

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to present participatory research on urban planning, sustainability, and education for citizenship. The study is justified by the urgent need to develop actions to promote the relationship between undergraduate and graduate courses to improve the quality of primary education. The study aims to integrate, implement, and communicate urban planning and sustainability concepts in the community. It includes primary school students and teachers as well as university researchers (academics), and through interdisciplinary integration, contributes to improving the education process. To develop this research, partner schools were selected based on their location in the urban fabric and physical, social, and territorial conditions. The research was implemented in two stages. The first stage was conducted in the school and university offices, and the second involved a field survey to identify routes in the city and around the university. The results of this research increased the awareness of the community of citizenship and the right to the city, as well as their knowledge of urban planning, sustainability concepts, and critical thinking on the process of urban development. Community living increased the academics’ awareness of the real needs an urban project should address. Furthermore, the primary school students were able to develop a critical outlook of the urban space they live in, and then contribute to sustainability and citizenship.