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Urban Explorers

Year 10 Geography students recently headed out of the classroom and into the nearby city for a hands-on field study exploring two of Sydney’s most transformed urban landscapes, Pyrmont and Barangaroo.

 

A group of Urban Explorers sits on the grass and brick path, facing a person speaking in front of them, with a city skyline and blue sky in the background. Trees and modern buildings complete the vibrant urban scene.

 

For many students at IGS, this part of Sydney is already familiar territory, previous excursions have brought them to the harbour’s edge more than once. But this visit gave them a chance to look more closely at a place they thought they knew, and to understand it in a much broader geographical and social context. As we prepare students to engage thoughtfully with the wider world, understanding the forces that shape our own city is an important place to start.

The excursion, run in partnership with Auseco Education, gave students the opportunity to investigate the causes and consequences of Sydney’s growing population firsthand. Equipped with sound meters and anemometers, students measured real-world data including noise levels, wind speed and building heights, bringing the concept of urban change to life.

Across the day, students explored key geographical themes including urbanisation, urban decay, urban renewal and gentrification, observing how these forces have reshaped the physical and social character of both suburbs over time. Historical photographs, aerial imagery and building case studies helped paint a picture of just how dramatically these areas have changed.

Barangaroo offered a compelling case study in sustainable urban development, with students assessing strategies used to create economically, socially and environmentally sustainable places. Students also examined how urban consolidation in inner Sydney can help reduce pressure on the city’s outskirts and counter the trend of urban sprawl.

It was an enjoyable day that had students exploring, asking questions and seeing a familiar part of their city with fresh eyes, a reminder that there is always more to discover on your own doorstep.

A big thank you to Head of Humanities Lisa Tabua for organising the excursion and to all the staff who gave their time to make the day possible.

 

Three smiling teenagers sit outdoors on a bench, holding pens and worksheets, looking like Urban Explorers as they collaborate on a school project with trees and city life in the background.
Two Urban Explorers sit on rocky steps by the water, facing away. In the background are trees, distant buildings, a bridge, and a blue sky with scattered clouds. Other people walk along the shore.
A group of Urban Explorers in uniforms sits on a low wall outdoors, writing in notebooks, while an adult stands nearby. Large trees and green grass surround them beneath a partly cloudy sky.
A group of Urban Explorers sits outdoors on wooden steps, focused on reading and writing in their notebooks on a sunny day. Trees and blocks of flats are visible in the background.
A group of Urban Explorers sit on concrete steps by the water, listening to a speaker. Behind them, a bridge, industrial buildings, and docks stretch across the river under a partly cloudy sky.

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