6 Challenges for SDG Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable
Globally more than half of people live in cities today, and by 2030, 6 people out of ten will live in cities
LOCAL TO GLOBAL CHALLENGES (UNDP) Background - As layers of networks and digital information blanket urban space, new approaches to the study of the built environment are emerging. The way we describe and understand cities is being radically transformed—as are the tools we use to design them.
· Challenge 1 - How might we use new technologies to give people the possibility of gaining access to both the delights of the city and the freedom given by nature? - Promote Sustainable Tourism
· Challenge 2 - How can we design a solution that prepares communities and cities for local challenges due to climate changes and its impact on local environments?
· Challenge 3 - How can we design a solution that uses the sharing economy as a way to increase sustainability in local communities?
· Challenge 4 - How can we lead a sustainable lifestyle for energy and waste management effectiveness?
· Challenge 5 - How can we design public green spaces to make air clean?
· Challenge 6 - How can we use ICT to create a safe, inclusive, just equal opportunities for girls, and women?
Some Facts related to India for SDG Goal 11 (source: UN, India)
1. By 2030 India will have 7 Mega-cities with population over 10 million
2. 31 % live in Urban areas
3. 17 % of urban population lives in slums
4. 62 million tones per annum waste generated in cities
5. 1.2 million people die of pollution related diseases in 2017
6. 13 % of urban households don’t have sanitary toilets, and 16.7 % don't have bathroom facilities
100 cities under Smart Cities Mission of Government of India which started in 2015 is completing five years are being evaluated on three parameters, 1. Ease of living, 2. Municipal performance index, 3. Climate. According to Shri Kunal Kumar, mission director of Smart Cities Mission, “The government is ranking cities on the economy, sustainability, and other factors.
Ease of living will reflect aspects such as citizens perception (30%), quality of life (35%), sustainability (20%), economic ability (15%), and sub factors such as education, health, housing, mobility, safety, development. The main aim to develop 100 urban cities into smart cities across the country is to make them citizen-friendly, sustainable, and environment, climate responsive that is started with a great vision from our Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Smart city Mission, GoI, 2020)
A case of Dehradun: A city developing as Smart City
There are several projects going in various areas of the city. On environment and beautification track, The MDDA Park, also known as the Rajpur Park, which is local attractions of Dehradun having a wonderful view of the mountains, and has a well-marked jogging track, canteen, sunshades and benches to enjoy the Mountain View. The well-developed kids play area provides for entertainment for children like jhula, seesaw and future planning of Audio sound facilities having describing culture of the Dehradun.
Another development is Smart Pole which provides 1. Energy efficient and remotely controllable LED Street Lights mount on smart pole, 2. Wi-Fi hotspot services for the city, 3. Surveillance cameras for safety and parking violation detection, 4. Environmental Sensors to monitor Air quality, temperature and humidity. (Dehradun Smart city)
(A blog as a part of SDG and Education series for UN75, #TurnItAround, #Act4SDGs, #ActionSDGs4Future)
