SDG #11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
Why is the goal important?
The goal is to create communities that are inclusive, safe, resilient, and consequently, sustainable. These communities aim to improve overall quality of life by tackling issues including access to basic services, environmental quality, healthcare, education, transportation, equity, and security, among others.
Why are cities important?
Cities are hubs for connectivity, thus playing a major role in creative and economic growth. Over half of the world’s population inhabits cities, and this number is projected to steadily increase. It is estimated that 7 out of 10 people will live in urban areas by 2050.
What are major challenges for this goal’s advancement?
Inequity is most visible by the approximate 1 billion global slum dwellers, where access to basic services, like sanitation, is highly limited. Homelessness and housing disparities are other examples of this challenge.
Due to the common use of non-renewable energies in heavily populated cities, high energy consumption and poor air quality are other major challenges. It is estimated that cities contribute 75% of the world’s carbon emissions where most residents breathe polluted air.
What can I do?
Using local initiatives is a key step towards advancing this global goal. Participation in community governance and management is an impactful way to create changes that are meaningful to you. Other simple actions include carpooling, using public transport, walking, or biking; leaving green spaces in your yard or roof; and creating or contributing to urban gardening opportunities in your community.
Source: UN SDG Report 2022
Community Trees & the Urban Forest
On July 13, 2023, the City of Tampa held a public symposium on community trees and the urban forest. The findings for a 2021 city-specific research were presented, and general education on urban trees was also provided.
What are major benefits of urban trees?
With temperatures reaching record high levels globally, urban heat was a frequent topic of discussion. The city’s study found that areas with tree canopy are on average 6°F cooler than areas with more impervious surfaces as they cast shade and release cooling water vapor.
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Air filtration is another basic ecosystem service provided by trees as they filter out fine particulate matter that cause respiratory problems. Carbon sequestration was calculated to be a net of 70,501 tons per year in the city resulting from trees and shrubs.
Urban trees provide storm protection including through wind resistance and stormwater management defense. Certain species can withstand mid- to high- wind levels, such as the American holly, southern magnolia, and pond cypress. The study found that urban trees and shrubs reduce approximately 75 million cubic feet of stormwater runoff.
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The anthropological portion of the study emphasized the intangible benefits of urban forests including beauty, spirituality, and overall mental well-being.
Symposium's connection to SDG #11
Participation in events like these is a crucial way to not only learn about sustainability initiatives, but also to voice concerns and share ideas that catalyze change. While the symposium was not a public forum debate event, attendees took the opportunity to express worries about tree removal and related policy. The local officials took note of these concerns and may be held accountable for addressing those contentious points.
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This event also highlighted the importance of partnerships and initiatives. Tampa's Green Team, in partnership with VolunteerFlorida and AmeriCorps, was recognized for planting hundreds of trees in city parks to advance the urban tree targets.
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One of the major goals of the city’s urban tree initiative is to reduce adverse environmental impacts of air quality, including reduction of fine particulate matter. The calculation for pollutants reduced in 2021 resulting from the city’s trees and shrubs is 1,412 tons which translates to reduced respiratory health impacts including medical expenses.
The research’s social science findings revealed inequitable distribution of tree canopy in the city where zip codes with lower incomes, neighborhoods with a higher percentage of renters, and areas with a higher percentage of Hispanic residents have less tree canopy to provide beneficial ecological services. These results should guide the community when deciding how to distribute resources for planting and maintenance in the future.
Part of the urban tree initiative is to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change including resilience against storms and stormwater management, thermal reduction, and carbon sequestration. The symposium’s panel provided recommendations regarding tree height for certain species and tree trimming practices to prevent power outages and infrastructure damage during storm events.
One of the major goals of the city’s urban tree initiative is to reduce adverse environmental impacts of air quality, including reduction of fine particulate matter. The calculation for pollutants reduced in 2021 resulting from the city’s trees and shrubs is 1,412 tons which translates to reduced respiratory health impacts including medical expenses.