SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

In recent decades, the world has experienced unprecedented urban growth. Cities across the world are being faced with high population growth rates caused by natural increase. Both rural to urban movement and reclassification of previously non-urban regions are contributing to the rising population in cities.

Rapid urbanization has brought enormous challenges, including growing numbers of slum dwellers, increased air pollution, inadequate basic services and infrastructure, and unplanned urban sprawl, which also make cities more vulnerable to disasters.

Despite numerous planning challenges, urbanisation has proven to be very effective in transforming the economic and social fabric of countries. Cities offer more efficient economies of scale on many levels, including the provision of goods, services and transportation.

With sound, risk-informed planning and management, cities can become incubators for innovation and growth and drivers of sustainable development.

Source: INE

Targets

11.1- By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums

11.2- By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons

11.3- By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries

11.4- Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage

11.5- By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations

11.6- By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management

11.7- By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities

11.a- Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning

11.b- By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels

11.c- Support least developed countries, including through financial and technical assistance, in building sustainable and resilient buildings utilizing local materials