Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
More than half of us live in cities. By 2050, two-thirds of all humanity—6.5 billion people—will be urban. Sustainable development cannot be achieved without significantly transforming the way we build and manage our urban spaces.
The rapid growth of cities—a result of rising populations and increasing migration—has led to a boom in mega-cities, especially in the developing world, and slums are becoming a more significant feature of urban life.
Making cities sustainable means creating career and business opportunities, safe and affordable housing, and building resilient societies and economies. It involves investment in public transport, creating green public spaces, and improving urban planning and management in participatory and inclusive ways.
While cities occupy just 3 percent of the Earth’s land, they account for 60 to 80 percent of energy consumption and at least 70 percent of carbon emissions.
Connected sensors and cameras can monitor traffic patterns, providing city managers with key data on how to improve operations and communicate transportation options.
Similar information flows can improve healthcare systems, education delivery, and basic government services such as safety, fire, trash, and utilities.
Networked smoke and fire sensors can transmit warnings between homes and offices in densely populated areas.
Smart lighting systems can save energy by dimming or turning off lights when people aren’t present.