Goal 11 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
With the world’s population constantly growing, it’s crucial to ensure that urban areas are developed in a way that promotes equality, safety, and environmental sustainability. Achieving this goal requires comprehensive urban planning and management strategies that address various aspects of urban life.
What does UN SDG 11 include?
According to the United Nations, the targets under Goal 11 provide specific areas of focus to create action and make cities and communities sustainable:
Ensure safe and affordable housing (Target 11.1): By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services, including the upgrading of slums, to improve living conditions and reduce homelessness.
Provide sustainable transport systems (Target 11.2): By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all, with a focus on expanding public transport and improving road safety, especially for vulnerable populations.
Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanisation (Target 11.3): By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanisation by promoting participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries to address urban challenges effectively.
Protect cultural and natural heritage (Target 11.4): Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage, preserving the unique identity and character of cities and settlements.
Reduce the adverse effects of natural disasters (Target 11.5): By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and people affected by disasters and decrease economic losses caused by disasters relative to global GDP, with a focus on protecting vulnerable populations.
Reduce the environmental impact of cities (Target 11.6): By 2030, reduce the per capita environmental impact of cities, including air quality and waste management, to minimise pollution and promote environmental sustainability.
Provide access to safe and inclusive green spaces (Target 11.7): By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible green and public spaces, particularly for marginalised groups, to promote physical and mental well-being.
Support national and regional development planning (Target 11.8): Support positive economic, social, and environmental links between urban, peri-urban, and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning to ensure balanced and sustainable development.
Implement policies for inclusion, resource efficiency, and disaster risk reduction (Target 11.9): By 2020, increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and holistic disaster risk management.
Support least developed countries in sustainable and resilient building (Target 11.A): Provide financial and technical assistance to least developed countries to build sustainable and resilient buildings using local materials, promoting economic development and environmental sustainability.
According to the UN, by prioritising these targets and implementing coordinated efforts at local, national, and international levels, cities and human settlements can become more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
To learn more about how to improve sustainability in your business, make sure you read www.sustainabilityonline.net. For more details on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, click here.
