Making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Goal 11 is to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Cities represent the future of global life. The world’s population will reach 8 billion in 2022, with more than half living in urban areas. This number is expected to rise, with 70% of the population expected to live in cities by 2050. Around 1.1 billion people currently live in slums or slum-like conditions in cities, and another 2 billion are expected to join over the next 30 years.

However, many of these cities were not ready for this rapid urbanization and the faster pace of development in housing, infrastructure and services, leading to the rise of slums or slum-like conditions.

Urban sprawl, air pollution and limited public space persist in cities.

Good progress has been made since the SDGs were adopted in 2015, with the number of countries now having national and local disaster risk reduction strategies doubling. But problems persist, and by 2022, only half of the urban population will have convenient access to public transport.

Sustainable development cannot be achieved without significant changes in the way urban space is built and managed.

Why aren't cities future-proof yet?

Most urban growth is taking place in small cities and intermediate towns, exacerbating urban inequality and poverty.

In 2020, an estimated 1.1 billion urban residents lived in slums or slum-like conditions, and over the next 30 years, an additional 2 billion people are expected to live in such settlements, mostly in developing countries.

What are some of the most pressing challenges facing cities?

Inequality and urban energy consumption and pollution are some of the challenges. Cities occupy just 3% of the Earth’s land area but account for 60-80% of energy consumption and 75% of carbon emissions.

Many cities are also more vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters due to their high population density and location, so building urban resilience is crucial to avoid human, social and economic losses.

How does it affect me?

All of these issues ultimately affect all citizens. Inequality can lead to unrest and insecurity, pollution can damage people’s health and affect workers’ productivity and therefore the economy, and natural disasters can disrupt people’s way of life. Air pollution, which affects the health of millions of people, is not just an urban problem, but also affects towns and rural areas.

What if cities were only allowed to grow organically?

The cost of poorly planned urbanization can be seen in some of the world’s massive slums, chaotic traffic, greenhouse gas emissions and sprawling suburbs.

By choosing sustainable action, we choose to build cities where every citizen has a good quality of life and becomes a dynamic productive part of the city, creating shared prosperity and social stability without harming the environment.

Are sustainable practices costly?

The costs are minimal compared to the benefits. For example, creating an efficient public transport network will be costly, but the benefits are huge in terms of economic activity, quality of life, the environment, and the overall success of a networked city.

What can I do to help achieve this goal?

Take an active interest in the governance and management of your city. Advocate for the kind of city you believe you need.

Develop a vision for your building, your streets, and your neighborhood, and act on that vision. Are there enough jobs? Can your kids walk to school safely? Can you walk with your family at night? How far is the nearest public transportation? What is the air quality like? What are your shared public spaces like? The better the conditions you create in your community, the greater the impact on quality of life.

Sustainable development cannot be achieved without significant changes in the way urban space is built and managed.