Emma Winchurch-Beale’s Post

Our cities play a crucial role in the global economy, contributing to over 80% of the world's GDP, with the #urban population set to reach 6.7 billion by 2050. Despite covering only 3% of the earth's land, cities consume 60-80% of energy and produce 75% of carbon emissions. These statistics highlight the importance of achieving UN SDG Goal 1 - "making cities and communities sustainable". An impactful #collaboration between Economist Impact and UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) has led to the development of the Urban Performance Index (#UPI). This framework assesses #sustainable development in cities worldwide, with pilot testing conducted in diverse cities like Tijuana, Dhaka, Lisbon, Toronto, and Mombasa. The UPI evaluates cities across Urban Society, Urban Economy, and Urban Stewardship domains, offering insights into challenges and opportunities for sustainable decision-making and investments. The UPI pilot initiative holds the potential to drive positive change globally, aligning with the mission of achieving UNSDG 11 for all urban areas. Explore the Urban Performance Index and its implications for sustainable urban development: https://lnkd.in/e8DRdXx6 #sustainabledevelopment #framework

I was asked to define urban resilience.. boring.. But tried to give some clear perspective about why resilience is just not "to adapt challenges". What do you think of this: “A resilient city is a city able to politically choose a long term transformative pathway of development to mitigate risks; supporting the resilience capacities of actors, economies and infrastructures contributing to that pathway, while actively eroding the capacities of those still pursuing unsustainable and business as usual pathways” Thanks #EUKN #UrbanVoices for the opportunity and looking forward for the Keynote https://lnkd.in/g-M4CJiS

According to "The Grobal Goals", world’s population is constantly increasing. To accommodate everyone, we need to build modern, sustainable cities. For all of us to survive and prosper, we need new, intelligent urban planning that creates safe, affordable and resilient cities with green and culturally inspiring living conditions. As per the Eurostat: The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 11) ‘Sustainable cities and communities’ aims to renew and plan cities and other human settlements in a way that they offer opportunities for all, with access to basic services, energy, housing, transportation, green public spaces, while improving resource use and reducing environmental impacts. In an EU context, SDG 11 focuses on progress made in enriching the quality of life in cities and communities, in fostering sustainable mobility and in improving environmental impacts. Convenience.Beauty.Environment.Health.Economy #globalgoals #sustainablearchitecture #greencities #urbandesign #planning #unep

🌍 Exploring Urban Resilience: As we move closer to 2050, with almost 70% of the global population projected to live in cities, the need for robust urban resilience strategies is clear. 🏙️ Cities, being major contributors to carbon emissions, encounter unique challenges in the face of escalating climate-related disasters. In this blog, we share 4 ways to improve collaborative action in urban resilience, with examples from Vietnam, Bangladesh, the U.S., and more. The journey towards collaborative action for climate and urban resilience requires concerted efforts and integrated planning to ensure long-term systemic transformation. Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/etw9TeY4 #UrbanResilience #DisasterRiskReduction #ClimateChange

Cities face the urgent need to build climate-ready and resilient urban environments. However, achieving systemic change is challenging. Despite the difficulties, innovative projects worldwide are demonstrating the potential of cross-sector solutions to create sustainable and inclusive cities. https://lnkd.in/g_C8_68J #ClimateReadyCities #ResilientUrbanEnvironments #SystemicChange #SustainableCities #InclusiveCities

Crisis Resilient Urban Futures: The Future of Asian and Pacific Cities 2023

Of the 25 fastest growing cities in the world, 20 are located in Africa Cities are the engine of national economic development and global development. Cities contribute to more than 80 percent of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Cities are the biggest source of pollution in the world. Cities contribute to about 75 percent of global CO2 emissions, with transport and buildings being among the largest contributors. The top largest 25 cities accounted for 52% of the total urban greenhouse gas emissions. Of the 25 fastest growing cities in the world, 20 are located in Africa, three in East and South Asia and two on the Arabian peninsula. This position paper explores global trends and characteristics in urbanization, emphasizing the significance of investing in cities. It delves into challenges hindering sustainable urban development financing, including barriers in key areas like housing, infrastructure, water, and sanitation. The paper proposes strategies for diversifying funding sources and employing innovative instruments to bolster sustainable urban development. The paper also makes policy recommendations on how to make cities more sustainable and investable. ________________________________ United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) (2023). Unlocking the Potential of Cities: Financing Sustainable Urban Development. https://lnkd.in/dU6kQNXi

Cities are a nexus where many of society's and the planet's biggest challenges converge. This means they also bring a significant opportunity to catalyse change. #ThursdayThoughts While relationships, risks and responsibilities can be complex, the strongly interconnected and interdependent nature of cities means there are mutual benefits in solving problems, and opportunities to realise co-benefits that strengthen return on investment. Moata, our award-winning Mott MacDonald - digital platform, is being used to develop smarter flood responses in Bangkok. In south Bolton, UK, our ‘Streets for all’ work is a catalyst for the town’s regeneration support, while in Bristol, our development framework and business-case work have unlocked the potential of a new sustainable city quarter. Many of these projects are increasing urban green space, providing summertime cooling, improving air quality, encouraging active travel and reducing flood risk – benefiting the health and wellbeing of those who live and work there. What are some of the local challenges your area is facing? What is blocking change and who is enabling it? Share your thoughts in the comments below! This is how we harness the power for change that sits within our cities: https://mottm.ac/44kdiMu

Cities and towns have a critical role to play making sustainable development a reality. First, most of the industrial and commerical activities that have a direct impact on most of the goals takes place in urban areas. Second, urbanisation brings along a unique range of social, economics and environmental challenges that the sustainable development seek to address including urban poverty, hunger, housing, provision of social services as well as climate change caused by use of fossil-fuel derived energy and solid waste management. In spite of the importance of cities and towns in the successful implementation of the goals, many cities and towns in low and middle-income countries are yet to integrate the goals into their mainstream planning. The results are the the cities and towns are failing to address social and economic challenges faced by their urbanites, are contributing to environmental damage and climate change, and are facing growing challenges when the world is expecting a decline in those challenges. There is still need for serious education and awareness about the goals as well as capacity and capability building for city and town leaders, managers and staff on the UN 17 sustainable development goals, why it is important to integrate them into urban strategy, planning, management and development and how best to implement the goals. #sustainabledevelopment #sustainability #sustainablecitiesandtowns

Forging Sustainable Cities: The Role of Public Policy in Urban Development | #impri Insights By Arjun Kumar #sustainability #development #cities #urbanplanning #transportation #housing #environment #socialequity #impact #policy https://lnkd.in/dn4-E3A2