UNSDG Goal 11 Make Cities and Human Settlements Inclusive, Safe, Resilient and Sustainable
The pandemic has made it clear that urban planning is crucial for improved public health and mitigating people’s vulnerabilities to hazards, such as natural disasters. As of May 2020, 154 countries have developed some type of national urban plan.
Over 90 per cent of COVID-19 cases are occurring in urban areas. Even before the new coronavirus, rapid urbanization meant that 4 billion people in the world’s cities faced worsening air pollution, inadequate infrastructure and services, and unplanned urban sprawl. Safe public transportation, reliable basic services and open public spaces are especially important now to ensure the health and livelihoods of the urban population.
Successful examples of containing COVID-19 demonstrate the remarkable resilience and adaptability of urban communities in adjusting to new norms. Whether cities are prepared for the next crisis depends on the way they can advance data-driven inclusive and sustainable urban development. Let’s make concerted efforts to reach a better change in creating sustainable cities and communities.