Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Cities are centers for new ideas, for commerce, culture, science, productivity, social development and much more. At best, cities have enabled people to improve their social and economic status. However, many challenges remain to maintain urban centers as places of work and prosperity, while at the same time not harming land and resources. Challenges posed by the urban environment include traffic, lack of funds to provide basic services, scarcity of adequate housing, infrastructure degradation. The challenges cities face can be overcome in ways that allow them to continue to thrive and grow, improving resource utilization and reducing pollution and poverty. The future we want includes cities that offer opportunities for all, with access to basic services, energy, housing, transport and much more.
Facts and figures
- Today half of humanity, ie 3.5 billion people, live in cities
- By 2030, nearly 60% of the world's population will live in urban areas
- 95% of urban expansion in the coming decades will take place in developing countries
- Currently 828 million people live in slums, and the number is constantly increasing
- Cities occupy only 3 percent of the earth's surface, yet are responsible for 60-80% of energy consumption and 75% of carbon emissions
- Rapid urbanization puts pressure on fresh water supplies, sanitation, the environment and public health
- The high density of cities can bring efficiency and technological development, reducing the consumption of resources and energy.
Achievements
11.1 By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums
11.2 By 2030, ensure access for all to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems, improving road safety, in particular by enhancing public transport, with special attention to the needs of those who are most vulnerable, women, children, people with disabilities and the elderly
11.3 By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries
11.4 Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world's cultural and natural heritage
11.5 By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including those related to water, with particular regard to protection of the poor and most vulnerable people
11.6 By 2030, reduce the negative per capita environmental impact of cities, paying particular attention to air quality and the management of municipal and other wastes
11.7 By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible green and public spaces, especially for women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities
11.a Support positive economic, social and environmental linkages between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning
11.b By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans aimed at inclusion, resource efficiency, climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster resilience, and promoting and implementing holistic disaster risk management at all levels, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030
11.c Support least developed countries, including with technical and financial assistance, in constructing sustainable and resilient buildings using local materials
