2030 City Blueprint: An Educational Learning Toy for Sustainable Development

Building a Sustainable Future through Play

This unique early childhood toy focuses on the sustainable development of cities, allowing children to learn through play and understand the requirements of city development processes. The 2030 City Blueprint consists of various components that enable children to build their own cities while learning about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations.

Early childhood education plays a crucial role in achieving sustainable development, and the 2030 City Blueprint serves as a tool to enhance preschool children's consciousness and establish the concept of the SDGs. By engaging in hands-on play, children develop their hand-eye coordination and autonomy capabilities, while also gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of sustainable urban development.

What sets the 2030 City Blueprint apart from other puzzle building blocks on the market is its use of recycled corrugated fiberboard as the main material. This choice aligns with the principles of sustainability and recycling, contributing to the overall objective of sustainable development. The toy is produced using laser cutting technology, with each component hand-painted and glued. The surface is treated with non-toxic waterproof acrylic paint, while retaining the texture of the corrugated paper.

The 2030 City Blueprint includes 12 building blocks in four types, each with three different sizes, allowing children to create diverse cityscapes. Additionally, the toy features wind turbines and terrain puzzles, further enhancing the learning experience. The wind turbines measure 170mm in length, 80mm in width, and 25mm in height, while the terrain puzzles come in two types: Type A, measuring 300mm in length and 200mm in width, and Type B, measuring 240mm in length and 200mm in width.

Designed by Chen Yu, Yi Lin, Sih Ci, and Chih Ling from the Tainan University of Technology's Product Design Department, the 2030 City Blueprint is a result of extensive research and analysis. The team conducted market research on toys for children aged 3-6, analyzed urban environments, and explored various materials. The design process involved using tools such as Rhinoceros 3D, Adobe Illustrator, and KeyShot to refine the toy's form and function.

Despite the challenges of working with corrugated paper, the design team overcame obstacles to create a unique and sustainable educational toy. The thickness of the paper required manual modification after laser cutting, and the color plan underwent multiple adjustments to achieve the desired result. Through perseverance and innovation, the team arrived at the best solution.

The 2030 City Blueprint project began in June 2021 and was completed in Tainan, Taiwan in March 2022. The toy made its debut at the Young Designer's Exhibition (Yodex) in June 2022 at the Taipei World Trade Center Nangang Exhibition Hall.

The 2030 City Blueprint has received recognition for its outstanding design. It was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in the Toys, Games, and Hobby Products Design category in 2022. This prestigious award is given to well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. The 2030 City Blueprint stands as a testament to the team's commitment to integrating industry best practices and competent technical characteristics, contributing to a better world.