More than half of the human population live in cities. It is projected that by the year 2050, two-thirds of all humanity — approximately 6.5 billion people — will reside in urban areas. Sustainable development cannot be achieved without significantly changing the way we build and manage our urban spaces.
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Make Cities Inclusive, Safe, Resilient and Sustainable.
This era of urbanization has emerged as a result of global population growth, increased migration and a boom in the development of mega-cities. Such factors are most evidenced in the developing world, wherein slums have become a common feature of urban life.
Developing sustainable cities will require both social and infrastructural innovation. This will mean providing safe and affordable housing, creating new livelihood and business opportunities, and building societies and economies to be more resilient. This transition will require further investment in public transport, the creation of green public spaces, sustainable urban planning initiatives as well as managing public spaces in an inclusive and participatory way.
Facts and figures
4.2 billionIn 2018, 4.2 billion people, 55 percent of the world’s population, lived in cities. By 2050, the urban population is expected to reach 6.5 billion.
3%Cities occupy just 3 percent of the Earth’s land but account for 60 to 80 percent of energy consumption and at least 70 percent of carbon emissions.
828 million828 million people are estimated to live in slums, and the number is rising.
33In 1990, there were 10 cities with 10 million people or more; by 2014, the number of mega-cities rose to 28, and was expected to reach 33 by 2018. In the future, 9 out of 10 mega-cities will be in the developing world.
90%In the coming decades, 90 percent of urban expansion will be in the developing world.
80%The economic role of cities is significant. They generate about 80 percent of the global GDP.
