An Exploration of SDG 11 and Its Relevance to Island Communities
Introduction
As we embark along the path of the 21st century, islands all over the world are experiencing increasing levels of urbanization as their populations seek better economic opportunities in the face of challenging realities. The UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities, therefore has increasing relevance. In fact, according to the United Nations, of the 65 million people living in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in 2015, 38 million (59%) already lived in urban settlements. Singapore and Nauru were among the most urbanized SIDS (100 per cent), while Trinidad and Tobago (13 per cent) and Papua New Guinea (12 per cent) were among the least. The urbanization rate amongst SIDS is expected to be 1.4 per cent, just below the global average of 1.7 per cent but with striking regional and national differences. In the fastest-urbanizing region, the Pacific, the urbanization rate is currently calculated at 4.3 per cent, increasing to 16 per cent in peri-urban areas. Rapid urban growth can also be observed in other regions, for example in Haiti (3.9 per cent), Trinidad and Tobago (2.2 per cent) and Cape Verde (2.1 per cent).
However, although urbanization is often accompanied by economic growth, when unchecked it can lead to a rise in the creation of unsafe structures and slum dwellers, as well as overburdened infrastructures. How can islands cope with and take advantage of shifting demographics and learn valuable lessons in relation to concepts that have to do with sustainable cities? This article will explore this essential question.
(Image credit: TourCounsel)
Inclusivity, Safety, Resilience and Sustainability: The Magic Combination
In urban areas, inequality can become more evident, as people from different economic backgrounds are living in closer proximity to one another. It is important to ensure that everyone has equal access to essential goods and services in order to ensure a decent quality of life for everyone in island communities. Safety is also a primary consideration, because a higher concentration of a population leads to increasing vulnerability in the face of climate change and natural disasters. This is a major concern for islands in the global south, as well as SIDS, which are at the forefront of climate change. Proper building codes and adequate investment in urban planning are crucial to avoid human, social and economic losses. Many islands possess close-knit communities, and building overall resilience will ultimately benefit everyone.
Prioritizing urban planning and appropriate civil engineering can help to mitigate the disruptive effect of natural disasters, and lead to an improvement of traffic and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. When considering SDG 11, governments and municipal bodies must adopt integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change. A focus on sustainable urban growth in island communities will result in improved quality of life and prosperity, without harming the environment.
(Image credit: Barbados Pocket Guide)
Disaster Risk Reduction
The World Meteorological Organisation defines the term Disaster Risk Reduction as the ability to develop and deliver services that are directed at protecting lives, livelihoods and property from natural hazard in a cost-effective, systematic, and sustainable manner. This is one of the most important factors in sustainable urban development in the context of an island, especially when facing the threat of a changing climate. One of the most vivid reminders of the changing climate is the increased incidence of extreme weather events, and events like this often cause people who have managed to pull themselves out of poverty to fall back into that situation, since those who are most vulnerable are most severely impacted by any type of crisis.
There are multiple benefits to focusing on disaster risk reduction strategies, as such strategies facilitate social and economic benefits. In the context of urban planning, these strategies include land-use regulations and enforcement of building codes, as well as complementary environmental management and regulatory compliance. From the point of view of island communities, such strategies have enhanced resonance because they mitigate existing risks, while preventing the creation of new risks. They are particularly effective when governments and local, grassroots communities collaborate to ensure that everyone can benefit fully.
(Image credit: Got2Globe)
The Role of Waste Management
Increased urbanisation can result in a corresponding increase in the complexity of the challenge of dealing with solid waste, which is already problematic for islands. This results from geographical isolation, as well as tourism dominated economies, which tend to draw the focus away from infrastructural issues related to waste management. One of the most significant issues common to island territories is the high reliance on imports, which contributes to the amount of waste, especially plastic. Other factors include a limited land availability to dispose of waste, and the prevalence of practices such as open dumping on land and in water, and burning of garbage.
Some of the measures that island territories can take to foster sustainable waste management practices include:
(Image credit: UNEP)
Conclusion
As a result of the high concentration of people, infrastructures, housing and economic activities, cities are particularly vulnerable to climate change and the negative impacts of natural disasters. This is starkly evident in island territories. As such, focusing on urban resilience will have critical co-benefits of improving quality of life, mitigating environmental damage, and proliferating measures to adapt to climate change.