The organization of Sentinel City

Part 1: Outline 

Introduction 

Understanding of Sentinel City 

A stroll that will help learn more about the city. 

Observations 

Subsystem 4: Education 

Subsystem 5: Recreation 

Subsystem 6: Politics and Government 

Conclusion 

Concluding comments about the tour on Sentinel City. 

Part 2: Essay on Observations 

Introduction 

The organization of Sentinel City is simple, yet elegant, with a bust of activity, numerous health conscious warnings on signboards, alleys with people from different racial backgrounds and community center, alongside recreating centers and a police system to govern the city. According to Batty (2015), an ideal city should be able to address the needs of its population, no matter how small or large the city is. D’Auitilla and Spada (2015), also confirm that although ideal models cannot be conceived, the minimums that provide for the basic needs of the populations must be addressed. A stroll through the small city takes about twenty minutes, however, by bus, the drive takes between 7 to ten minutes, depending on the number of stops and the route taken. The observations on this trip was on the education, recreation, political activity and the presence of a governance system. The observation confirmed that these elements are present, though in varying numbers. The conclusion from the trip is that, Sentinel City is well equipped to provide for its educational and civic needs, but a few schools can be added to cater for the city’s large population. 

Subsystem 4: Education 

Observations 

Number of public or private school. Do children walk or bus to school? 

From the stroll into the Sentinel City, I arrived at Industrial Heights District where I noticed one school, the Sentinel City District School. On the West Maine Street heading to the Sentinel City District School there is a pedestrian crossing. School buses are parked on the opposite of the school building and a traffic officer waves the bus to a stop for the children to cross the street. These observations confirm that the children are driven to school by designated school buses which have all requirements to ensure safety of children ( Harkness & DeMarco, 2016) . A momentary stop at the West Maine Street, and the children leave the school on foot heading to the Stephens Street before they disappear. This confirms that the children walk themselves home. Therefore, it can be assumed that at children are driven or they walk to and from school. 

Do parents transport their children to school? 

No, the parents do not transport their children to school. At the West Maine Street as the traffic officer halts the bus, the children cross by themselves, unaccompanied. Similarly, when they leave, they are not picked, but they simply walk along Stephen’s Street. 

Public and/or private daycare centers or preschools. 

Also, along Louche Road on Casper Park District, there is the ABC child care center opposite the Donut Time Shop. The location, size and the lack of much activity shows that it is a private owned center and a preschool. 

K-12 and higher education options 

The K-12 school at Sentinel City is the Sentinel City District School at the Industrial Heights District. 

Subsystem 5: Recreation 

Observations 

Parks, playgrounds, basketball courts, bike/walking paths. 

There is a playground besides the Sentinel City District School, Industrial Heights District. Inside the playground, there are many young adults and children who are sitting, some are dribbling balls and others are swinging on swings. Also, along Sherbrook Road, there is another recreation center where young adults are playing tennis. As the bus moves across Sentinel City, numerous cyclists can be observed using the cycling lanes on the sides of the main road. 

Public or private recreation or youth centers 

The youth recreation center along Sherbrook Road can be assumed to be a private facility based on the limit of access that it has compared to the center besides Sentinel City District School. At Acer Tech Center District, there is another building, visible along the Rockdale Road with the sign, Sentinel City Strikers. It can be assumed to belong to a soccer club, adding to the number of youth recreation facilities to three. 

Subsystem 6: Politics and Government 

Observation 

What signs of political activity do you see (e.g. posters, meetings)? 

Sentinel City has a scenario of protestors carrying placards at the City Hall opposite the Community Center along Rockdale Road. The placards contain messages such as “tax the rich,” ‘Tax Revolt,” and “It’s Not Your Money” painted in blue, black and red. The police are standing opposite the protestor, possibly protecting them, or protecting the public by regulating them. The protestors are shouting unintelligible words, a sign that there is political activity at Sentinel City, Acer Tech District. 

Also, near the building opposite the Department of Transportation, there are a few industrial workers in a congregation. Although it is not clear whether they are meeting for political or industrial activity reasons, it is just an interesting observation. 

What building(s) give you an indication of active government? Why? 

There are various departments managed by the Sentinel City government. These include the Departments of Parks and Recreation along the Sherbrook Road, the Department of Transportation opposite Maine Street and the Department of Public health among others. Also, there are numerous police vehicles parked along streets indicating the presence of a government system. 

Conclusion 

In summary, Sentinel City is well equipped to provide for its educational and civic needs, but a few schools can be added to cater for the city’s large population. The observation confirmed that the entire City has only one school catering for the K-12 needs, and one small private daycare center to cater for all the four districts and a population of over 660,000. There are only one public recreation center with two more private recreation centers. The city has numerous functioning government bodies, including an affordable housing project, the department of fire and rescue, an active police system and other departments providing services to the public. The protests about taxes shows dissatisfaction about the tax system and needs action. 

References 

Batty, M. (2015). Optimal cities, ideal cities. Environment And Planning B: Planning And Design, 42(4), 571-573. doi: 10.1177/0265813515595765 

D’Autilia, R., & Spada, M. (2017). Shaping ideal cities: The graph representation of the urban utopia. Environment And Planning B: Urban Analytics And City Science, 46(3), 423-444. doi: 10.1177/2399808317716163 

Harkness, G. A., & DeMarco, R. F. (2016).  Community and public health nursing: Evidence for practice . 

Sentinel City Simulation. Retrieved from: https://sentinelworld.healthcarelearninginnovations.com/Simulation/SentinelCity31/Start