SDG 11: The ‘Urban Sustainable Development Goal’

SDG 11: The ‘Urban Sustainable Development Goal’

Among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals all nations at the U. N. have agreed to is one goal specifically related to cities. SDG 11 — also known as the “Urban SDG” — calls on nations to build cities that are “inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.”

Public Safety
Why people dressed as zebras dance in the streets of La Paz
A playful way to make a point about traffic safety is also a sophisticated programme to aid at-risk youth.
Johnny Magdaleno December 18, 2017
Public Participation
Using Minecraft to engage the public and plan better public spaces
How a popular video game became an urban planning tool.
Carlin Carr July 28, 2017
United Nations
U.N. resolution seen as key win for New Urban Agenda’s contentious rights language
Move creates a beachhead that will allow for a deeper discussion of cities at the Human Rights Council, said one diplomat.
Gregory Scruggs July 27, 2017
Disaster Response
Lessons from the aftermath: What 6 countries can tell us about how to recover from disaster
What six countries can tell us about how to recover from disaster.
Christopher Swope July 26, 2017
Idea Exchange
What a city in Spain learned from Sweden about promoting local food and healthier eating
When two small towns got talking, what emerged was a new Mediterranean recipe for food procurement.
Amy Labarrière July 21, 2017
Migration
What refugees living in cities need
Nine years ago, Robert Hakiza fled an African war zone. Now, he lives in Kampala, advocating on behalf of a growing number of refugees living in Uganda's capital.
Christopher Swope July 18, 2017
Informal Settlements
How to solve the Global South’s urban housing crisis
A new report from the World Resources Institute highlights changes needed to build cities without slums.
Patralekha Chatterjee July 14, 2017
Health
Lessons and challenges as Indian cities step up planning for heat waves
Since Ahmedabad developed a pioneering Heat Action Plan in 2013, another 17 cities have followed. The efforts are starting to make an impact.
Patralekha Chatterjee July 13, 2017
Renewable Energy
The keys to meeting Africa’s growing urban energy needs
Electricity only reaches a fraction of the population in many major African cities. A new report suggests changes that will be needed as cities and energy demands grow.
David Hatch July 12, 2017
United Nations
As nations assess progress on SDGs, questions linger about the cities goal
The international community will focus on cities at next year’s SDGs review. Before that, the urban community is looking for strengthened coordination on SDG 11.
Carey L. Biron July 10, 2017
Commentary
Urban science must inform policymaking — here’s how
This week, a six-month initiative brings together 30 global experts to look into how to create an “urban science-policy interface” for global sustainability.
Michele Acuto and Monica Contestabile and Susan Parnell and Karen Seto July 3, 2017
Mobility
New bus rapid transit system earns Dar es Salaam 2018 Sustainable Transit Award
Earning the award also means the Tanzanian capital will host a summit for world transportation experts next year.
Gregory Scruggs June 30, 2017
Economic Development
How a declining German city is reviving itself from the bottom up
In Oberhausen, a group of artists and activists called Kitev is fueling a burst of experimentation in urban regeneration.
Simone d'Antonio June 30, 2017
Mobility
How Buenos Aires is thinking about sustainable transport
June 28, 2017
Environment
Manila hopes greening its shorelines will yield cleaner water and less flooding
After decades of trying concrete solutions, authorities are planting bamboo and mangroves and using other soft-path methods to make its waterways less of a menace.
Keith Schneider June 22, 2017
Philanthropy
Foundations see a bigger role to play in the future of cities
4 takeaways on urban philanthropy from a global gathering of foundations.
Christopher Swope June 20, 2017
Metro Governance
In a fractured metro area, New York’s Regional Plan Association finds common ground
Nearly a century old, the group holds no formal power but sets a regional agenda across 800 municipalities in three states.
Neal Peirce June 16, 2017
Urban Planning & Design
Hong Kong plans for a city that’s growing older
More of the city's people and buildings are reaching old age, a phenomenon planners are calling 'double ageing'.
Alok Gupta June 13, 2017
Interview
Lessons from India in building urban resilience
In a new book, the people behind a well-known Indian consultancy and think tank discuss what they've learned working in cities.
Patralekha Chatterjee May 29, 2017
Disaster Preparedness
‘Sustainable insurance’: Seven takeaways from the first-ever summit of insurers and city leaders
A 'first date' for two groups that share much in common when it comes to building resilient cities.
Christopher Swope May 12, 2017
New Urban Agenda
2018 reporting period will prove critical for New Urban Agenda, advocates say
“World Urban Forum 9 will be the place to craft this whole reporting process,” said one advocate.
Gregory Scruggs May 11, 2017
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