Abstract
There is a growing interest among national governments and international agencies in the contribution of urban centres to sustainable development. The paper outlines the new global agendas to guide this: the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement and the New Urban Agenda. It then sets out the key challenges and opportunities facing urban governments across the Commonwealth in implementing these agendas and achieving inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities. This is hampered by significant infrastructure deficits (especially in provision for water and sanitation) and a lack of funding. After outlining the commitments agreed by national governments in these global agendas, the paper discusses the vital role in meeting these of city leadership, financing and investment, urban planning and local economic development. Whilst it is good to see recognition of the importance of cities to national economies, economic success in any city does not automatically contribute to a healthier city, a more inclusive city or a sustainable city. This needs capable and accountable urban governments working closely with local civil society, and the redirection of public funds and development assistance to support them.
Highlights
There is a new interest in cities by many national governments and international agencies from three perspectives
The first is the recognition of their economic importance – for attracting investment and innovation in national and regional economies
The second is in the healthy living conditions and high quality of life cities can provide, if they are well governed
Summary
There is a new interest in cities by many national governments and international agencies from three perspectives. The SDGs relevant to human development and poverty reduction are mostly national goals – and so are assumed to include urban populations They include: Universal provision for risk-reducing infrastructure by 2030: 6.1, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all; 6.2, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations. The New Urban Agenda agreed at the third Habitat Conference (the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development) in October 2016 could have been innovative – in recognising how much a successful urban agenda depended on urban government and local civil society It had the two new frameworks (the SDGs and the Paris Agreement) providing the national and international goals and commitments, so it could articulate the much needed ‘new urban agenda’ through which urban governments and civil society could address these goals and commitment.
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