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J. Zhou and S. Chang
number is rising; cities in the world cover only 3% of the earth’s land, yet consume
60–80% of its energy and produce 75% of its carbon emissions. Surging urbanization puts a strain on freshwater supplies, sewage treatment, living environment, and
public health; but high-density cities can bring efficiency gains and technological
innovation, while cutting resource and energy use.
These challenges can be tackled by growing prosperity and development,
increasing the use of resources and reducing pollution and poverty. The future that
people envisons will include cities that provide opportunities for all and enable access
to basic services, energy, housing, transportation and more for all.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations aim to address
development issues, once for all, in the social, economic and environmental dimensions in an integrated approach from 2015 to 2030, and move towards sustainable
development. The SDGs relevant to cities are sustainable cities and communities—
make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Specific
targets include:
(1) By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and
basic services and upgrade slums.
(2) By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations,
women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons.
(3) By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for
participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and
management in all countries.
(4) Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural
heritage.
(5) By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people
affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global
gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters,
with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.
(6) By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities,
including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other
waste management.
(7) By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and
public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons
with disabilities.
(8) Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban,
peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development
planning.
(9) By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements
adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion,
resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to
disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for
J. Zhou and S. Chang
number is rising; cities in the world cover only 3% of the earth’s land, yet consume
60–80% of its energy and produce 75% of its carbon emissions. Surging urbanization puts a strain on freshwater supplies, sewage treatment, living environment, and
public health; but high-density cities can bring efficiency gains and technological
innovation, while cutting resource and energy use.
These challenges can be tackled by growing prosperity and development,
increasing the use of resources and reducing pollution and poverty. The future that
people envisons will include cities that provide opportunities for all and enable access
to basic services, energy, housing, transportation and more for all.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations aim to address
development issues, once for all, in the social, economic and environmental dimensions in an integrated approach from 2015 to 2030, and move towards sustainable
development. The SDGs relevant to cities are sustainable cities and communities—
make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Specific
targets include:
(1) By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and
basic services and upgrade slums.
(2) By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations,
women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons.
(3) By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for
participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and
management in all countries.
(4) Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural
heritage.
(5) By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people
affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global
gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters,
with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.
(6) By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities,
including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other
waste management.
(7) By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and
public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons
with disabilities.
(8) Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban,
peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development
planning.
(9) By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements
adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion,
resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to
disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for