Learning about sustainable cities through urban sanitation simulation with the game Cities Skylines

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2179-0892.geousp.2026.231834

Keywords:

Geography learning, sustainable city, digital simulation game, basic sanitation

Abstract

This article aims to investigate the learning process of sustainable cities through the use of the digital simulation game Cities Skylines, with a focus on urban sanitation. The educational potential of simulation for Geography lies in its ability to reproduce, manipulate, and visualize aspects of reality in a holistic manner, expressed through geovisualization in the virtual model. Based on this, the research adopts a qualitative methodology, employing a case study approach with the application of a didactic sequence, systematically recording each stage and analyzing the content of the activities performed by the students. The results reveal an expansion of geographic knowledge through the manipulation of variables related to basic sanitation, as well as the development of geographic thinking through the construction, reflection, and reasoning involved in the management of a sustainable city.

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Author Biographies

  • Solange Francieli Vieira, Instituto Federal Catarinense

    Degree in Geography from the State University of Midwest UNICENTRO (2005), Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the Federal University of Santa Catarina UFSC (2008) and Master’s degree in Geography from the Federal University of Santa Catarina UFSC (2008). Has experience in Environmental Analysis, Disaster Management, City Education, Sustainable Cities Simulation and Geographic Education. He is a Professor at the Instituto Federal Catarinense (IFC), Campus Videira-SC, since 2011. Doctor by the Graduate Program in Geography at the State University of the Midwest , UNICENTRO (2024), member of the research and extension group of Geographic Education and Cartography for Schoolchildren - EDUCARTGEO (Department of Geography Unicentro), member REDLADGEO, Latin American Network of Researchers in Didactics of Geography (young researchers), member of NEPEG-Goiás (Teaching and Research Center in Geographic Education), participated in the PDSE - Doctoral Program Sanduíche Abroad, at the University of Valencia-Spain (2022-2023), with CAPES as a funding institution. Currently participates in the Proyecto de Innovación Educativa (PIEE) of the Universitat de València: Formación y praxis docente en problemas socio-ambientales a escala internacional:análisis y ejecución de propuestas didácticas para una ciudadanía sostenible (UV-SFPIE_PIEE-3328962).

  • Marquiana de Freitas Vilas Boas Gomes, Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste

    Is a professor (associate) in the University’s Geography department
    State of the Midwest (UNICENTRO), Guarapuava-PR. He is an effective member of the graduate program in Geography (UNICENTRO), master’s and doctoral level. Graduated in Geography (Bachelor and Bachelor) by
    State University of Londrina (1997; 1998); Holds a master’s degree (2002) and PhD (2009) in Geography, Line - Dynamics and Environmental Management from the State University of São Paulo, post-doctorate (2019) in Teaching Geography, at
    Teaching-Learning Geography line of the Federal University of Goiás with post-doctoral internship at the Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning of the University of Lisbon. She was a tutor of the PET-Geography Group from 2006 to 2009. She held the position of Culture Director at Unicentro in 2009. She was the Dean of Extension and Culture at UNICENTRO in the period 2010-2016. He is the leader of the research group EducartGEO - Geographic Education and Cartography for Schoolchildren. She was a consultant in the PIBID Initiation to Teaching Program of Geography and Interdisciplinary at UNICENTRO during 2012-2017. She acts as a journal reviewer in the area of Geography and Extension. Develops various teaching, research and extension activities in the areas of geography teaching, school mapping and training of geography teachers

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Published

2026-02-19

Issue

Vol. 30 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Articles

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How to Cite

VIEIRA, Solange Francieli; GOMES, Marquiana de Freitas Vilas Boas. Learning about sustainable cities through urban sanitation simulation with the game Cities Skylines. GEOUSP Espaço e Tempo (Online), São Paulo, Brasil, v. 30, n. 1, p. e-231834, 2026. DOI: 10.11606/issn.2179-0892.geousp.2026.231834. Disponível em: https://revistas.usp.br/geousp/article/view/231834. Acesso em: 8 nov. 2026.