The world’s population is steadily growing, necessitating the development of modern, sustainable cities to accommodate everyone. Our survival and prosperity depend on innovative urban planning strategies that create safe, affordable, and resilient cities with green spaces and culturally enriching living environments.
The Targets
Everyone can contribute to achieving the Global Goals. Let us explore the ten targets designed to make cities and communities sustainable:
Target 11.1: Safe and Affordable Housing: By 2030, ensure universal access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing with basic services. This includes upgrading slum communities.
Target 11.2: Affordable and Sustainable Transport Systems: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transportation systems for all. This includes improving road safety, particularly by expanding public transportation options. Special attention should be given to the needs of vulnerable populations, such as women, children, people with disabilities, and older adults.
Target 11.3: Inclusive and Sustainable Urbanisation: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanisation. This includes strengthening the capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.
Target 11.4: Protect the World’s Cultural and Natural Heritage: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
Target 11.5: Reduce the Adverse Effects of Natural Disasters: By 2030, significantly reduce disaster-related deaths, the number of people affected, and the economic losses relative to global gross domestic product. This includes water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and vulnerable populations.
Target 11.6: Reduce the Environmental Impact of Cities: By 2030, reduce the negative environmental impact of cities per capita. This includes paying particular attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management practices.
Target 11.7: Provide Access to Safe and Inclusive Green and Public Spaces: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive, accessible, green, and public spaces, particularly for women, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities.
Target 11.A: Strong National and Regional Development Planning: Support positive economic, social, and environmental connections between urban, peri-urban, and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning.
Target 11.B: Implement Policies for Inclusion, Resource Efficiency and Disaster Risk Reduction: By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans. These plans should focus on inclusion, resource efficiency, climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster resilience, and developing and implementing holistic disaster risk management at all levels, aligned with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.
Target 11.C: Support Least Developed Countries in Sustainable and Resilient Building: Support least developed countries in building sustainable and resilient buildings utilising local materials, through financial and technical assistance.
Things You Can Do
- Support a Goal 11 charity: Every contribution, big or small, can make a difference!
- Volunteer in slum communities: Help build or improve housing, create public or green spaces in slum areas.
- Support local businesses: Shop, eat, and drink locally to keep people employed and circulate money back into your community.
- Vote in local elections: Exercise your right to elect leaders who will make positive changes in your community.
- Choose sustainable transportation: Opt for biking, walking, or public transportation for your daily commute.
- Care for public spaces: Take initiative to improve public spaces in your community. This could involve watering plants, planting trees, renovating sports areas or playgrounds, or organising clean-up events.
- Stay informed: Follow local news and stay connected with the Global Goals online or on social media at @TheGlobalGoals.
By taking these steps, we can all contribute to a more just and equitable world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.