Sustainable Cities and Communities

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Main Challenges

Sustainable development of urban areas with acceptable housing options

Access to low-income housing

Challenges associated with rural areas, such as telecommunications and public transport

Sustainable Cities and Communities

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Main Challenges

Sustainable development of urban areas with acceptable housing options

Access to low-income housing

Challenges associated with rural areas, such as telecommunications and public transport

What can we do?

  • Shop local.
  • Be sure to vote.
  • Treat public spaces well.
  • Take advantage of the circular economy.
  • Take advantage of public transportation.
  • Reduce the dependence on private cars.
  • Take advantage of the sharing economy.

The United Nations 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 to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons
  • By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization 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 utilizing local materials