Main Urban Challenges in the Context of UN Sustainable Development Goals - Part 2/3

Contemporary urban challenges are multifaceted and contingent upon factors such as geographical location, city size, population demographics, economic conditions, and political system. Understanding these challenges, within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is crucial for effective urban planning and development.

In this series, we explore how cities worldwide face multifaceted issues, shaped by factors like geography, demographics, and economics. Goals 11 and 13 - Sustainable Cities and Climate Action - take center stage. They aim to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable while addressing climate change impacts.

Additionally, Goals 3, 6, 7, and 15 play vital roles. Ensuring good health, clean water, and affordable, renewable energy are essential components of sustainable urban living. Furthermore, preserving terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity, including urban green spaces, aligns with fostering healthier, more resilient cities.

By aligning urban development efforts with these SDGs, we pave the way for healthier, more sustainable urban environments globally.

Challenge 3: Mega Cities

Mega Cities are defined as cities with more than 10 million inhabitants. In 2016, there were 31 mega cities worldwide, which increased to 33 in 2018, and it is projected to reach a total of 43 mega cities by 2030 (WEF, 2019). The ongoing development of mega urbanization automatically accelerates the global trend of urbanization. In the 1950s, approximately 750 million people lived in cities, representing less than one-third of the world's population, and only New York and Tokyo held the status of mega cities. According to forecasts, among the ten largest mega cities worldwide, only Tokyo and Osaka are expected to have a negative population growth by 2030. The remaining eight mega cities are projected to experience population growth ranging from 7% (São Paulo) to 29% (Dhaka). Currently, ten of the fastest-growing mega cities are in India (as of 2023), and most of the mega cities that will contribute to urbanization in the coming 3 decades are situated in Asia and Africa (World Cities Report, 2022):

Three interrelated factors can be defined as the causes of mega urbanization. The first cause is the general worldwide urbanization, with the highest population growth occurring in most developing and emerging countries. Economic transformation, especially in Asia, constitutes the second factor driving mega urbanization. National and international migration is significantly accelerated by the transition to a market economy, creating a massive demand for labor and skilled workers. The third cause is attributed to economic globalization, which is driven by the global relocation of service, production, and financial centers to major cities (Gebhardt, 2016).

Considering the increasing urbanization, particularly in African and Asian countries, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has identified five major challenges for the future of mega cities.These challenges include environmental threats, resources, social inequality, slums, technology, and administration. Mobility issues, such as traffic congestion and limited parking, are also significant problems in large cities, contributing to noise and air pollution.

Additional challenges in mega cities include debt crises, arbitrary rule and informality, social fragmentation, and urban sprawl, which refers to uncontrolled urban expansion. Over half of the residents of Mumbai, Mexico City, Lagos, and Cairo live with irregular incomes in slums on the outskirts of the mega city. This exacerbates security problems, social disparities in mega cities, and the risk of political authoritarianism (Heeg, 2008).

Challenge 4: Social Inequality

Social inequality and poverty pose highly complex challenges for the future of cities worldwide. For example, cities like Nairobi, Mumbai, and Rio de Janeiro suffer from consistently growing slums, while cities like London and Baltimore see a constant rise in homelessness. According to the Yale Global publication, the number of homeless people increases proportionally with the progress of urbanization. By 2017, possibly 2% of the world population was homeless, and an additional 20% lacked adequate housing. The main causes of homelessness and social injustice in cities, according to Yale Global, include a lack of affordable housing, privatization of public services, speculation in the real estate market, and uncovered or poorly planned urbanization.

Addressing poverty and inequality is one of the top priorities for building inclusive societies and resilient future cities. The New Urban Agenda and the SDGs recognize cities' transformative power in promoting equal opportunities and fair growth':

Goal 10, "Reduced Inequalities" is fully dedicated to reducing inequality within and between countries. There are regional differences in poverty dynamics, and countries vary in their endowment of natural resources. In 2022, over 90% of the poor lived in low- and middle-income countries. Goal 11, "Sustainable Cities and Communities" requires ensuring access to adequate and affordable housing for all by 2030 and upgrading slums. The initiatives are particularly relevant for urban groups that are often marginalized, including homeless people, migrants, refugees, minorities, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, workers in the informal economy, children, and women. While high-income countries have already achieved SDG Goal 1, "End Poverty" by reducing extreme poverty to below 3%, many upper-middle-income countries have not yet achieved the goal, with low- and middle-income countries having a poverty rate of nearly 12% of the population in early 2019, and low-income countries of nearly 45%.

Unequal use and production of urban spaces lead to significant inequalities concentrated in specific locations. For example, the new urban economy promotes the emergence of privatized enclaves for the wealthy, while the poor are relegated to disadvantaged neighborhoods. Such neighborhoods often have poor infrastructure and limited access to municipal services. Residents bear the brunt of socioeconomic and health disparities, as well as political exclusion and territorial stigmatization. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated existing health inequalities in cities, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups. Moreover, the increasing rates of mental illness have been associated particularly with essential workers, increased caregiving responsibilities (especially among women), and other marginalized groups (World Cities Report, 2022).

Explore more about Main Urban Challenges in the Context of UN Sustainable Development Goals:

• Part 1/3 - Climate Change & Demographic Shift

• Part 3/3 - Health Risks in Urban Areas & Resource Scarcity, Environmental Pollution, and Waste Management

Acknowledgment

This article represents a condensed summary of a subchapter in the author's master's thesis, enriched with recent research findings from ISG Global.