Unlocking Industries’ Potential for Sustainable Urban Development.

 

Cities are at a crossroads. Possessed of both economic and political strength, they have the capacity to guide their countries forward along the path to sustainable development. Over the past decades, with advancements in technology, industry and urban infrastructure, cities have come to contribute 70% of global wealth. Due to a lack of national urban policy and integrated urban development, however, precious resources have become increasingly compromised throughout the globe. With the world developing rapidly across different sectors, there is an urgent need for an inclusive approach to guide sustainable city development. It is estimated that the urban population will increase by 2.5 billion people and comprise 66% of the total global population by 2050 (UNDESA, 2014). Meanwhile, the economy is expected to triple, with the addition of more industries directly affecting the urban environment and its resources. The New Urban Agenda, adopted at the HABITAT III conference in October 2016, sets a new global standard for sustainable urban development. It provides policymakers, international organizations and municipal governments with a roadmap for promoting the social wellbeing of city residents, enhancing cities’ economic competitiveness and safeguarding the environment. In the coming decades, the implementation of this Agenda will fall to national and local governments, with technical assistance provided by international organizations. Industrial development has played a crucial role in supporting economic growth and urban development. How can we then enable industries to build up sustainable cities? In recent years, the answer has become more and more clear: Industrial development should adopt a holistic approach in order to ensure economic growth and material improvement that is socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable. Industries must unlock their potential in order to contribute more efficiently to inclusive and sustainable urban development. On the international stage, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has consistently set the tone when it comes to promoting and advancing inclusive and sustainable industrial development globally. Despite the importance of national- or international-level projects, efforts at the city level remain of vital importance. City leaders have begun to realize that cities require a new approach in order to address issues of rapid urbanization. Industrial development stands to become a key instrument of change by adding economic value, as well as improving social and environmental factors. International development agencies such as UNIDO must therefore engage directly with city stakeholders and play a greater role in leading and coordinating initiatives for the advancement of inclusive and sustainable urban development. This issue paper consequently highlights current issues and challenges and aims to engage readers in further discussion. Topics addressed include an analysis of the urban dimension in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the challenges of urbanization, the role of industries in the process of sustainable urban development and possible avenues of future action and cooperation. The paper attempts to elaborate these issues in a holistic manner and aims to set the stage for UNIDO’s annual “BRIDGE for Cities - Belt and Road Initiative: Developing Green Economies for Cities” event.

Cities at a Crossroads:Unlocking Industries’ Potential for Sustainable Urban Development.