Playing LEGO Matters

Lego, the creative toy originally manufactured by the LEGO Group in Denmark . According to Wikipedia, “Lego” was derived from the Danish phrase “leg godt,” which means “play well.”

LEGO’s interlocking block system made their pieces easy to assemble and connect for constructing a project. Many schools have used it as part of teaching tools. So far, the most impressive way to utilize this education program we’ve seen is the UrbanPlan. UrbanPlan is an educational program initiated by ULI America (Urban Land Institute).

Similar to the video game SimCity, where the player acts as a town’s overall planner to build and manage the town’s growth. UrbanPlan is a more realistic “game” and engaging exercise for people interested in learning the fundamental forces of developing a city or a neighborhood.

When discussing building a town, we inevitably think about a green neighborhood. What is a green neighborhood? You might ask. It is a neighborhood developed in a way with sustainable practice and design. A good example is the project certified with LEED-ND.

“To encourage development within and near the existing community and public transit infrastructure…To reduce the incidence of obesity, heart disease, and hypertension by encouraging daily physical activity associated with walking and biking.” — LEED ND- Smart Location.

On this momentous day, we place this card on our desks. May LEED ND be our guide in assisting a much more sustainable community next time.