Riverview City created by students from Dr. Ken Sauer and River Heights elementary school's

By Lisa Parent

Young minds, big ideas: Elementary students learn about urban planning with ‘Box City’

Apr 25, 2024 | 3:07 PM

Grade 3 students from both Dr. Ken Sauer and River Heights schools have been learning about how to be an engaged citizen in the community through city planning.

As part of their studies, the students were challenged to design and build a “box city” that possesses everything a resident would need to survive and thrive.

The city, named Riverview, was assembled and put on display at the Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre.

“They’ve considered green spaces and flowers, they put artwork on some of their buildings, there’s some murals,” said Shantel Ottenbreit, a community resource worker with the City of Medicine Hat.

'Meet others with shared interests': Volunteers needed for growing Medicine Hat adaptive sports scene

May 02, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

Top 5 things to do at the Medicine Hat Public Library in May

May 02, 2024

'I saw a car get crushed': Crestwood students learn about the importance of metal recycling on field trip

May 01, 2024

Box city is a yearly partnership project between the Medicine Hat Public School Board and the City of Medicine Hat.

Pairs of students are assigned individual buildings around the city to design and construct at their own creative will.

Accessibility was also top-of-mind in each building, something Alice Eckstein prioritized when building the hospital.

“We put a little garden because if people are sick and are in wheelchairs, they can go out and have some fresh air and go smell the flowers and look at the flowers,” Eckstain said.

Though the purpose was to educate the students on city planning, Ottenbreit says the City of Medicine Hat may have learned something too.

“I think it’s just a great way for us to kind of be mindful about how do we provide for people in our city in a new and creative way that really is inclusive and provide something for everybody,” Ottenbreit said.

Riverview City can be viewed at the Esplanade until May 12.