Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires creating hospitable, productive, and healthy urban environments (SDG 11). With the global population crossing 8 billion, innovative solutions are crucial to drive social and economic development in smart sustainable cities. Rapid urbanization and large youth populations are prominent demographic trends. However, many modern cities face pollution issues, resulting in millions of deaths annually from air and water contamination.
Additionally, urban areas are increasingly vulnerable to climate-related disasters like heat waves and floods. Governments must address these challenges while managing the growing demand for public services as rural-to-urban migration accelerates.
\MORE INFO: Earth
\IMAGES FROM: EarthShift of urban and rural populations over the next 30 years according to UN DESA. Graph: World Cities Report 2022.
