Co-creating a future beyond the classroom

In spring of 2022, we asked our teaching faculty to tell us who among them were offering innovative learning experiences, environments, and/or introducing new ways of overcoming barriers in their classes. This is the final story in a six-part series recognizing teaching faculty at UBC.

While wandering around a city, have you ever wondered how public benches are positioned perfectly to enjoy a majestic view, or who cleverly placed a picnic table within helpful reach of a power source? While much of urban planning can remain conceptual in the classroom, Dr. Su-Jan Yeo is changing the learning game—she is helping students understand how to transform the urban environment and shape their community with a hands-on learning experience that has real-world impact.

As part of this approach, Su-Jan uses the innovative concept of an ‘Ideathon’ with her students—where interdisciplinary teams participate in a design challenge premised on real-world urban planning issues. Simply put, students are presented with a site-specific issue and invited to generate novel ideas within a defined timeframe. These ideas are shared with urban planning professionals, enabling students to influence local projects and see their impact beyond the classroom.

Paving the way for interdisciplinary ingenuity

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As part of the Ideathon, Su-Jan matches students with their peers from other disciplines and Faculties. Together, they find innovative solutions for current City projects, break down barriers and share ideas and possibilities. Drawing on the strength of their diverse backgrounds, students are given significant latitude to imagine how cities can be made for all.

Many students who enrol in this course already have an interest in cities or have some knowledge about urban planning—but there is often a segment of the cohort that is completely new to this field, who come from disciplines like computer science, neuroscience, oceanography, mechanical engineering, history and visual art. “That’s where I’ve become absolutely amazed. Students always surprise me with ideas I never would have considered, beyond what I could’ve imagined.” Su-Jan explains. “Because their teams are interdisciplinary, it results in high levels of creativity and integrated thinking. There’s really no boundary when you’re collaborating across different disciplines and domains—engaging in multiple ways of seeing things is the modus operandi.”

By involving students in real-world planning projects, Su-Jan’s innovative teaching approach helps them appreciate how active civic participation can play a role in shaping the future of their communities. Su-Jan’s hope is that her course motivates students to “realize and embrace their potential as key partners in planning better for a brighter tomorrow.”

Written by Alpha Lam, UBC Internal Communications
October 2022