What do The Sustainable Development Goals entail and especially goal 11?
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to promote sustainable development and address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, and social injustice. The SDGs cover a wide range of areas, including poverty, health, education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace, justice and strong institutions, and partnerships for the goals.
SDG 11, specifically, aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, and sustainable. The world's population is becoming urbanized fast, with over half of the global population living in cities. Therefore, it is important to develop cities and human settlements that meet the needs of everyone, while minimizing negative impacts on the environment.
SDG 11 targets inclusive and sustainable urbanization, safe and resilient cities, sustainable transport, sustainable urban planning and management, and protection and restoration of urban and cultural heritage.
Inclusive and sustainable urbanization involves providing access to affordable and sustainable housing, promoting slum upgrading, and ensuring equitable access to essential services such as water, sanitation, and energy. Safe and resilient cities involve promoting disaster risk reduction, ensuring safety and security, and enhancing resilience to climate change and other shocks.
Sustainable transport involves promoting sustainable and accessible transport systems, such as mass transit, cycling, and walking, and reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from transport. Sustainable urban planning and management involve ensuring that cities are well-planned, well-governed, and managed in a participatory and inclusive manner.
Finally, the protection and restoration of urban and cultural heritage involve preserving and restoring city historic and cultural landmarks and protecting urban biodiversity and natural areas.
In summary, SDG 11 is an essential part of the international community's efforts to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all, and its achievement will require collaboration between governments, civil society, and the private sector.