The current development model is no longer sustainable, neither on an environmental, nor on an economic and social level. The Agenda 2030 signed by the UN, defines 17 objectives as well as 169 goals to be achieved over the ten-year period from 2020 to 2030 and aims to transform this model to make it sustainable.
Why will future challenges take place in cities?
More than 80% of the global economic activities are concentrated in urban centres. What is more, cities have a significant ecological footprint: they only occupy 3% of the earth’s surface but consume 3/4 of the global resources and are responsible for 75% of gas emissions. It’s clear that a major part of the sustainable development challenges will involve cities. The goal 11 of the Agenda, SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES, aims to make cities and urban settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
Inclusive and sustainable urbanization
The world is urbanizing and this, of course, is translating into urban expansion and worsening air pollution. Transportation and buildings are two of the main causes. For these reasons, urban development must be more inclusive and sustainable, also thanks to integrated settlement planning. Likewise, improving air quality and ensuring access to safe and affordable living spaces and transport systems must also be two of the priorities, as well as sub-objectives of the macro goals. Urban regeneration programs together with the implementation of a regional urban agenda can make a difference and accelerate cooperation between housing solutions, territory and mobility.
As GBC stated, which in addition to buildings develops protocols that facilitate the development of sustainable neighborhoods or even cities, “The commitment of the next few years requires moving from the building dimension to the urban and territorial one. The cities, neighborhoods and communities are the scenarios in which GBC Italy will increasingly confront itself keeping in mind the 17 UN objectives ”.
A mobility solution that goes hand in hand with the goal 11?
When it comes to sustainable neighborhoods and cities, it is pivotal to mention the role of mobility. The infrastructure of urban mobility must in fact contribute to increasing the attractiveness and environmental performance of urban areas. This also through an accessible mobility network.
For the purposes of implementing the SUMPs, for example, accessibility, meant as a set of spatial, distributive, organizational and managerial characteristics capable of allowing mobility and easy use of spaces, is a fundamental element.
Why is GaiaGo inspired by the Agenda and this goal in particular? Because, as we have seen, the challenge of cities cannot be separated from a rethinking of transport! Our solution aims to ease the pressure on the environment by encouraging shared travel and optimized transport; maximize the integration between mobility and spaces (and therefore accessibility) and accelerate inclusiveness by creating communities based on the values of sustainability. In other words: fewer cars, more sharing, greater connection between mobility and the territory and integration with spaces. For us. these are the ingredients aimed at making a city sustainable, inclusive, resilient and safe.
