children’s learning of sustainability through creative activities paramita atmodiwirjo & yandi andri yatmo department of architecture, universitas indonesia

Our background
 Teaching architecture at Universitas
Indonesia
 Architectural education background in
Indonesia & UK
 Develop environmental education programme for school children
 Develop community architecture projects
 Design for children, schools, special needs
 Develop environmental education website www.lingkunganku.com (‘my environment’)

Overview of programme
 Creativity-based environmental education programme since 2006
 For pre-school, primary and secondary school children
 With over 20 schools and neighbourhood communities
 Holcim Award – Asia Pacific 2008
 Involving architecture students as facilitators
 Various environmental themes

Why learning sustainability?
 Children as “architects of the future”
 Towards better life in better environment, not only for now but also for the future
 UN Decade of Education for Sustainable
Development (2005-2014):
 “to integrate the values inherent in sustainable development into all aspects of learning…”

What to learn?
human natural environment built environment social-culture science technology economy balance

Some problems in ESD
 Aspects of environments studied partially or separately
 Emphasis on theories, lack of application in real surroundings
 Environment is considered as ‘additional’ subject, separated from other subjects

interconnectedness nature social culture
‘my environment’ single; isolated economy others interdependence

Creativity-based approach
Planning and design exercise as an approach for learning sustainability

Learning approach
Reflection of facts
Analysis;
Develop knowledge
Creative action based on knowledge
Action to respond to factual issues
Reflection of process

‘Dream Island’ Project
Main challenge:
 To create self-sufficient environment
 To fulfill present and future needs
 To balance needs and resources

REFLECTION
COLLABORATION
IMAGINATION

Reflection
 Reflection on basic human needs
 Awareness of local resources
 Exploring connectedness

water electricity house me milk sea fish meat rice food fruit veg drink river water well paddy field garden

Collaboration
 Working together in dealing with environmental problems & issues
 Dialog
 Negotiation

Imagination
 Creative ideas
 Freedom to build
 Explore possibilities

Balanced development
 Needs and resources
 Natural and built

Interdependence
What happens in one place may affect other people in other places
Bogor
Depok
Jakarta

Programme evaluation
Children’s reflection on the programme
 What they have created
 What they have learned
 What they think about the process

Possible future development
 Integration with school subjects
 Real action in real environment
 Networking with children around the world – sharing
“our environment”
Programme for children
School curriculum
Real environment
Children in other places