SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of seventeen (17) global goals created by the United Nations in 2015 to mitigate the gaps and shortcomings of the MDGs. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. The goals which are a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity, are interconnected with a target deadline of 2030

 Millennium Development Goals

These seventeen new goals are expanded versions  of the eight (8) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that ended in 2015. The framework of the SDGs has been developed in such a way that member nations are collectively involved in the achievement of the success hence the selection of 17 key notable figures across the world. It is expected that the Advocates will leverage on their respective spheres of influence and build bridges between their unique audiences in addition to working together

Emir of Kano, Muhammed Sanusi II, one of the 17 global SDG Advocates

The 17 goals

Goal 1: No Poverty

Goal 2: Zero Hunger

Goal 3: Good Health and Well Being

Goal 4: Quality Education

Goal 5: Gender Equality

Goal 6: Clean Water & Sanitation

Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production

Goal 13: Climate action

Goal 14: Life below water

Goal 15: Life on land

Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

According to a United Nations estimate, 3.5 billion people, that is, half of the world’s population currently reside in urban centres with projections that 5 billion people will reside in cities by 2030. Lagos, one of the fastest growing cities and ranked within the ten most populous cities in the world has a population of about 21 million while Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, has a population of about 6 million. 

Goal 11 which is concerned with making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable has been acknowledged as one of the most important goals because it forms the foundation and springboard for the achievement of 50 percent of the other goals. The evidence of poorly planned urbanization can be witnessed in the proliferation of slums with attendant social dislocations such as increased crime, poor response to natural disasters as such as flooding, mudslides, poor transport network, etc. The pressures on the existing urban infrastructure and fabric is better imagined.   Cities are the common connecting factor for all the other goals. It has been approximated that one third of the SDGs have an urban component making cities critical in achieving a sustainable future for the world.

The UN has defined 10 targets and 15 indicators for SDG 11

In Nigeria, the key areas of concern to architects, allied professionals, investors and of course the government are:
- Access to affordable housing
- Infrastructure investments
- Sustainable transportation
- Access to public spaces
- Sustainable buildings

Sources: United Nations, UN Habitat

Photo Credits: United Nations, Google Images