Sustainable cities and communities is goal number 11 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and it aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and lasting.
For us, the SDGs provide a framework for guiding social, environmental and economic progress. Through our projects and operations, we directly contribute to seven SDGs. These are: good health and wellbeing (SDG3); quality education (4); clean water and sanitation (6); affordable and clean energy (7); industry, innovation and infrastructure (9); sustainable cities and communities (11); and climate action (13).
But, because the goals are highly interdependent, progress on one will affect all or some of the others. So, a solar array isn’t wholly about generating electricity and flood defences protect a community from more than water. It’s all about making connections, challenging assumptions, and turning potential benefits into value-adding outcomes.
This means creating great Places for people can contribute indirectly to many SDGs, including: