Smart City

Location: San Diego Mesa College - 7250 Mesa College Dr, San Diego, CA 92111
Time: 8am to 3:30pm
An industry-aligned engineering and design course where students plan, design, and prototype a scalable 3D city while taking on real-world roles in structural engineering, architecture, and urban planning.
Guided by curiosity and creativity, students take on the ambitious challenge of designing and constructing a scalable 3D city using professional workflows inspired by real engineering and urban development projects. Students assume industry roles such as structural engineers, architects, and city planners, learning how buildings and infrastructure are designed within real-world constraints. Through hands-on prototyping, collaborative design sprints, and iterative testing, students explore structural engineering principles, city planning strategies, and architectural design while also navigating budgeting, permitting, and resource management. This immersive, industry-based experience mirrors how cities are actually built—making learning engaging, practical, and career relevant.
Students Can Use These Skills For:
- Understanding how cities and infrastructure are designed and built
- Applying structural engineering and architectural principles to real projects
- Learning how budgeting and permitting impact engineering decisions
- Building portfolio-ready, large-scale design projects
- Preparing for careers in engineering, architecture, and urban development
Tools Used:
- 3D Design & Prototyping Tools
- Structural Modeling and Testing Materials
- Measurement, Scaling, and Budgeting Tools
- Permitting and Planning Frameworks
- Collaborative Design & Project Management Tools
Students Will:
- Take on industry roles such as structural engineer, architect, and city planner
- Design and prototype buildings and infrastructure within real constraints
- Apply budgeting and permitting considerations to project decisions
- Test and refine structures for strength, stability, and functionality
- Complete a Scalable 3D City Capstone Project demonstrating real-world engineering practices
Pathway:
- Structural Engineering
- Architecture
- Urban Planning
.avif)


.avif)

.avif)


.avif)
