The UN’s New Urban Agenda was officially endorsed in 2016 and guides the work of member states, local organizations, and individual practitioners around the world. It clearly states a vision for a future with sustainable cities and lays out the standards and principles needed to accomplish this vision. The plan includes 5 main pillars, encompassing “national urban policies, urban legislation and regulations, urban planning and design, local economy and municipal finance, and local implementation” (iv).
The plan recognizes that urbanization is one of the most transformative trends of the 21st century, which means that it is essential to shape urbanization to be as sustainable and equitable as possible. Through the implementation of the New Urban Agenda (NUA), the UN seeks to end poverty and hunger, reduce inequalities, promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, achieve gender equality, improve human health, create more resilient cities, and protect the environment.
The New Urban Agenda (NUA) is an important way to lay out the many concerns that must be simultaneously considered by all planners. For example, when improving transportation systems, governments must also consider how to ensure that they use sustainable, eco-friendly technology, provide options that are safe for women and girls, reach areas that serve the poor, and have services and infrastructure that is accessible to all people, including the disabled. Ultimately, the goals of the agenda are all interconnected and must all be taken into account when planning.
I am a huge fan of the work that the UN does and I believe the NUA is an important document; however, it raises many questions for those of us hoping to make the NUA’s vision a reality. The NUA acknowledge that “culture should be taken into account in the promotion and implementation of new sustainable consumption and production patterns” and in other development initiatives (4). But what does this mean in practice? And what happens when cultural practices and traditions directly oppose the goals of the SDGs? For example, what action needs to be taken when local traditions are harmful to the environment? How do we empower women in societies that have specific roles for women and girls that do not easily align with this goal?
Another fear is that not everyone who needs to be part of this global initiative is in the room. Or perhaps they are in the room, but do not make efforts to take action due to their own political or personal agendas. When I recently attended the World Urban Forum, it was clear that academics and local practitioners were heavily represented, while national governments and private sector professionals were less involved. It takes the voices and strength of individuals from every level and area to make the changes necessary.
I was also surprised to see businesses mentioned in the NUA: “We call on businesses to apply their creativity and innovation to solving sustainable development challenges in urban areas, acknowledging that private business activity, investment and innovation are major drivers of productivity, inclusive growth and job creation” (33). The private sector is hugely important in urban planning, as public-private partnerships often create some of the most innovative designs for cities. However, I am unaware of how the UN currently engages with businesses.
Despite these obvious flaws in implementation, the NUA’s ideas and the lofty vision it lays out is one that I think is incredibly important for those interested in urban planning to be familiar with. As I work with Paisaje Transversal this summer, it will be exciting to see how their projects and goals align with those of the UN. Given the participatory nature of Paisaje Transversal’s mission, I know that their work will align with that of the NUA, helping to make Spain’s cities more equitable and sustainable for all.
It’s nice to have an optimist in the room! I think the UN is doing important work by outlining the values to which it adheres and invites cities to adopt on a global scale. Too often NGOs and mission-driven organizations of all scales are unclear about their visions for the future and the ways they hope to meet those visions. At the same time, I think you do a good job of highlighting some potential pitfalls and — to my mind, at least — contradictions in the New Urban Agenda’s program. Some might argue, for example, that sustainable development is an oxymoron. If we want to sustain ourselves and our planet, MORE development may be a poor objective. Similarly, how is it possible, as you say, to recognize cultural difference and also promote equity on many levels when inequality is embedded in many cultural belief systems? When it comes to international agreements, I’m personally more compelled by ones that set very specific goals, like the Paris Agreement. I wonder if more detailed proposals came up at the World Urban Forum?