SDG11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Over 50% of our global population live in cities. They are also responsible for
around 70% of global energy related emissions. They are on the frontline of both
climate impacts and the transition to a sustainable future for all.

But our cities are changing. More than ever, they are leading the way to building a
sustainable economy. Some 620+ are now using disclosure as the critical first step
towards building collective resilience and taking ambitious climate action while
CDP’s Open Data Portal offers the critical insights on city action globally.
Our cities are changing. More than ever, cities around the world are leading the
way to building a sustainable economy. But we need to move even faster. Explore
our Open Data Portal for more on how cities across the globe are taking
environmental action.
CDP provides the global platform for cities to measure, manage and disclose their
environmental data. We work with over 1,000 cities measuring and disclosing
environmental data each year to manage emissions, build resilience, protect
themselves from climate impacts and create better places for people to live and
work. These cities are disclosing over 8,000 urban sustainability actions,
demonstrating their commitment to building a sustainable economy and tackling
climate change. We are nearing a tipping point in mainstreaming environmental
action, and cities are at the heart of this transition.

We know that cities can play a critical role in tackling climate change. While
cities occupy only two percent of the world’s land mass, they are home to 55% of
the world’s population (with this figure set to rise to 70% by 2050). Cities also
consume about two-thirds of the world’s energy.2

BIBLIO : https://www.cdp.net/en/policy-and-public-affairs/sustainable-development-
goals?gclid=Cj0KCQjw_fiLBhDOARIsAF4khR2zMC1k7k-
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INDIA

Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

More than half of the world’s population now live in urban areas. By 2050, that
figure will have risen to 6.5 billion people – two-thirds of humanity. Sustainable
development cannot be achieved without significantly transforming the way we build
and manage our urban spaces.

The rapid growth of cities in the developing world, coupled with increasing rural
to urban migration, has led to a boom in mega-cities. In 1990, there were ten mega-
cities with 10 million inhabitants or more. In 2014, there are 28 mega-cities, home
to a total 453 million people.

Extreme poverty is often concentrated in urban spaces, and national and city
governments struggle to accommodate the rising population in these areas. Making
cities safe and sustainable means ensuring access to safe and affordable housing,
and upgrading slum settlements. It also involves investment in public transport,
creating green public spaces, and improving urban planning and management in a way
that is both participatory and inclusive.

Sustainable city life is one of 17 Global Goals that make up the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development. An integrated approach is crucial for progress across the
multiple goals.

India is urbanising rapidly. Between 2001 and 2011, the country’s urban population
had increased by 91 million. India is projected to add 416 million urban dwellers
between 2018 and 2050. By 2030, India is expected to be home to seven mega-cities
with populations above 10 million. 68% of the country’s total population live in
rural areas, while 17% of the country’s urban population live in slums. The
Government of India’s Smart Cities Mission, the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban
Renewal Mission, and the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban
Transformation(AMRUT) are working to address the challenge of improving urban
spaces. The prime minister’s Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana aims to achieve housing for
all by 2022.

Targets
By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic
services and upgrade slums.
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 given to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women,
children, persons with disabilities and older persons.
By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanisation and capacity for
participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management
in all countries.
Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural
heritage.
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.
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.
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.
Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban
and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning.
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 Disaster Risk
Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels.
Support least developed countries, including through financial and technical
assistance, in building sustainable and resilient buildings utilising local
materials.

Sustainable Cities is the sustainable urban mobility initiative of WRI India.

Sustainable Cities catalyzes sustainable solutions to the problems of urban
mobility, actively working in four strategic areas – Integrated Urban Transport,
Urban Development & Accessibility, Transport and Climate, and Health and Road
Safety. We promote high quality integrated public transport systems; equitable and
accessible built environment emphasizing integrated transport and land-use planning
to improve the quality of life in cities.

The theory of change framework adopted by WRI India consists of impacting

Multimodal Mobility, Intermodal Connectivity, Integrating Land Use and Transport
and Disincentivizing Private Vehicle Use. Using this strategic approach, we provide
technical support in addressing the existing gaps in knowledge, skills and
awareness though capacity building initiatives, impacting city and national
government officials, bureaucrats and decision makers and convening key
stakeholders to create a sustainable transport market development alliance and
mainstream sustainable transport solutions.