Sustainable Development Goal 11: Making Cities Inclusive, Safe, Resilient and Sustainable

In 2015, the United Nations introduced the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a global plan focused on achieving peace, prosperity and sustainability by 2030. Central to this plan are 17 goals, each aimed at different areas of development. Among them, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 is especially important as it addresses the needs of the world’s growing urban populations. SDG 11 aims to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Today, more than half of the world’s population lives in cities, and this number is expected to increase to nearly 70 percent by 2050. With this rapid urbanization, cities are under pressure to remain livable, protect the environment and ensure that all residents – no matter their economic background – have access to services, affordable housing and green spaces. SDG 11 focuses on these challenges, combining social and environmental goals to create sustainable urban areas. In this blog, we’ll uncover the key components of SDG 11, such as affordable housing, sustainable transportation and green spaces. We’ll also explore how Elevate Living is playing its part in helping to meet these objectives by developing sustainable housing and creating better urban spaces for the future.

The Importance of Sustainable Cities and Communities 

Cities have long been centres of economic growth and innovation, but they also face significant challenges. A 2019 progress review of SDG 11 revealed that urban areas are expanding faster than their populations. From 2000 to 2014, cities grew 1.28 times more than their population sizes. This rapid urban sprawl results in less dense areas, making it harder for residents to access essential services like public transportation. In addition to urbanization, problems like overcrowded slums, pollution, poor infrastructure and rising inequality have worsened. However, cities are in a unique position to lead in sustainability because of their concentrated populations and resources. This is why it’s necessary to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable for global development. SDG 11 offers a clear path to help cities grow in ways that benefit everyone while also protecting the planet.

The Key Targets of a Sustainable City: Sustainable Development Goal 11 

Creating sustainable cities and communities isn’t just about fixing current issues – it’s also about preparing for the future. SDG 11 sets clear targets to help cities grow in ways that meet the needs of their expanding populations while protecting the environment and ensuring fairness for all. These targets focus on key areas such as affordable housing, efficient transportation, public green spaces, disaster resilience and environmental protection. By addressing these priorities, cities can become places where everyone can thrive, both today and in the future.

Affordable and Safe Housing For All 

Access to safe and affordable housing is a key goal of SDG 11. As cities grow, housing demand increases, making it hard for low-income residents to find affordable homes. Currently, about 1.6 billion people live in inadequate housing, with about 15 million forcefully evicted every year. And as urban populations rise, around 3 billion will need access to proper housing by 2030. To put this in perspective, this translates into a demand for 96,000 new affordable and accessible housing units every day. Without affordable options, many people are forced into informal settlements, also known as the slums, where basic services like clean water, sanitation and electricity are lacking. Addressing this issue requires affordable housing programs, and governments and organizations worldwide are adopting strategies such as building infill housing and creating mixed-use neighbourhoods that combine residential and commercial spaces. These approaches help reduce urban sprawl and allow people from all income levels to live in the same community.

Affordable and Sustainable Transportation 

Transportation is another critical area of focus under SDG 11. Globally, only half of urban residents have easy access to public transportation. Not only is better access needed, but we also need sustainable transportation systems. These systems are key to reducing pollution, cutting down traffic congestion and ensuring that everyone can reach jobs, services and stores. According to Our World in Data, almost 25 percent of CO2 emissions come from transportation, making the shift to low-carbon transit systems essential for fighting climate change. Cities around the world are taking steps to invest in public transit infrastructure, promote biking and design walkable neighbourhoods. For example, Copenhagen, Denmark, is known for its bike-friendly design, with over half of its population commuting by bike. This helps lower air pollution, boosts public health and encourages sustainable living. Other cities, like Tucson, Arizona, and Loreto Bay, Mexico, have developed mixed-use communities where people can live, work and shop in the same area, reducing the need for cars. These efforts highlight the move toward sustainable urban planning that cuts reliance on fossil fuels and builds more connected, accessible communities.

Access to Green Spaces and Public Areas 

Urban green spaces, like parks and recreational areas, are essential for improving the quality of life in cities. These spaces provide many benefits, such as boosting physical health, reducing stress and creating spaces for social interaction. Additionally, green spaces help address environmental problems like air pollution and the heat island effect, where cities become much warmer than nearby rural areas due to human activities. Despite their importance, three out of four cities worldwide dedicate less than 20 percent of their land to public spaces and streets, which falls short of the 45 to 50 percent target. SDG 11 highlights the importance of making sure everyone has access to these safe and inclusive public spaces. The World Health Organization recommends that cities should provide at least 9 square metres of green space per person, but many urban areas still do not meet this standard. As urban populations continue to rise, the challenge of preserving and expanding green spaces becomes increasingly critical. Some cities are leading the way by integrating nature into their urban planning. Singapore, often called the “Garden City,” has made nature a key aspect of its urban development. The city has introduced vertical gardens, rooftop parks and tree-lined streets, making greenery a core feature of its dense urban landscape. This approach has helped create a healthier and more livable environment, serving as a model for sustainable urban development.

Disaster Resilience and Climate Change Adaption 

As cities continue to expand, they also need to be better prepared for natural disasters like floods, earthquakes and hurricanes. Climate change is making these risks worse, which means cities must develop strong disaster management plans that protect their residents – especially those most vulnerable. SDG 11 emphasizes the importance of resilience by urging cities to improve urban planning, invest in stronger infrastructure, and create social safety nets to protect communities. This includes considering the long-term effects of climate change on urban development and taking steps to reduce future risks. An example of this can be seen in Japan, a country that frequently faces earthquakes and tsunamis. Japan has implemented some of the world’s most advanced disaster preparedness strategies, including strict building codes and early warning systems designed to protect people from the worst impacts of natural disasters. These measures help keep residents safe and highlight the importance of forward-thinking disaster planning in creating resilient cities.

Reducing the Environmental Impact of Cities

Environmental challenges are especially pressing in urban areas. Cities produce about 70 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and are responsible for more than 60 percent of the world’s waste and resource consumption. While poor air quality has long been an issue exclusive to cities, towns now experience worse air quality than urban areas in Eastern and South-Eastern Asia. SDG 11 stresses the need for cities to reduce their environmental impact by embracing sustainable building practices, improving waste management and increasing energy efficiency. One way to achieve this is through green building technologies and renewable energy. Encouraging people to reduce, reuse and recycle may seem old-fashioned, but it’s still critical for sustainability efforts. The construction industry plays a crucial role in this effort. Buildings consume nearly 40 percent of the world’s energy, making it vital to incorporate energy-efficient technologies and use sustainable materials in new constructions. Programs like LEED certification, a globally recognized standard for sustainability, help ensure that new buildings are designed to minimize their environmental impact. By following these practices, cities can take significant strides toward becoming more sustainable and environmentally responsible.

Canada’s Goals For Sustainable Cities and Communities 

To align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Government of Canada has developed its own set of goals aimed at ensuring all Canadians have access to quality housing and live in healthy, accessible and sustainable communities. These goals include:

• Reducing the number of households in core housing need
• Cutting chronic homelessness by at least 50 percent by 2027 to 2028
• Ensuring 85 percent of Canadians live in areas where air pollution meets or is below national standards
• Encouraging 22 percent of commuters to switch to shared or active transportation by 2030

To achieve these objectives, Canada has introduced several policies, including the National Housing Strategy (NHS). This 10-year plan focuses on providing affordable housing for Canadians, addressing the entire housing spectrum from shelters to affordable rental housing and homeownership. The NHS aims to meet ambitious goals by 2027-2028, including reducing housing needs for 530,000 households, cutting chronic homelessness by half, building 160,000 new housing units, repairing 300,000 units, protecting 385,000 community housing units and expanding that number by 55,000 units. Additionally, the Permanent Public Transit Program (launched in 2021) is supporting Canada’s transportation goals by funding new subway lines, light-rail transit, electric buses, active transportation infrastructure and improved transit in rural areas.

Elevate Living’s Contribution to Sustainable Urban Development 

At Elevate Living, our projects are rooted in sustainable urban development. We aim to create inclusive, resilient and eco-friendly spaces that improve the quality of life for everyone. Our focus includes affordable housing, access to green spaces and sustainable design, aligning with the key targets of SDG 11. For instance, some of our projects include eco-friendly transportation options, such as our electric rideshare program that provides 24/7 access to electric bikes, scooters and Tesla Carshare. Additionally, we build net-zero-certified homes and net-zero-ready buildings, seizing every opportunity to combat climate change and secure a better future for the next generation. Plus, our developments are designed to be walkable, which strengthens community connections, encourages physical activity and reduces vehicle emissions – all at the same time. Functional green spaces are also a key feature of our projects. They enrich the neighbourhood’s aesthetic, provide shade, and improve the air we breathe.

Achieving Targets of a Sustainable City - The Role of Community 

As cities continue to grow, the need for sustainable urban development becomes increasingly important. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 provides a clear framework for making cities more inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. While this goal primarily focuses on government actions, achieving it requires a cooperative effort. The targets of SDG 11 address critical challenges facing urban areas today, such as affordable housing, green spaces, disaster resilience and environmental protection. By embracing these targets and working together, we can create communities that not only accommodate growing populations but also improve the quality of life for all residents, protect the environment and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. To learn how we’re actively working on some of the key targets of SDG 11, explore our current and upcoming developments. Think we can help each other? We’re always looking for new partnerships to enhance our designs and projects. Contact us today to learn more about working together.