Urban Living and Its Challenges

In today’s world, more than half of the global population lives in urban environments, a figure expected to swell by an additional 2.4 billion people by 2050. While cities are crucial to our future, they are not without their hurdles. Challenges such as climate change, social inequality, and economic instability loom large. To successfully accommodate the rising urban populace and achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), cities must embrace innovative and sustainable urban development practices.

The Urban Dilemma

The rapid expansion of urban areas has evolved from a mere trend into a pressing crisis. Unchecked urban growth, largely fueled by the soaring demand for housing, has led to the emergence of informal settlements where over 1.1 billion people reside. This phenomenon heightens climate-related vulnerabilities. Buildings and construction activities contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for nearly 40% of the total.

Increasing Temperatures and Decreasing Greenery

The U.N.-Habitat’s World Cities Report 2024 forecasts that over 2 billion urban residents will experience notable temperature increases by 2040, with one-third of city dwellers living in areas where average annual temperatures exceed 29°C. Furthermore, urban green spaces, vital for cooling our cities and promoting well-being, have plummeted from 19.5% of urban land in 1990 to just 13.9% in 2020. Natural disasters driven by climate change, such as floods, cyclones, and droughts, have surged, comprising 91% of major disasters recorded from 1998 to 2017. The most vulnerable communities, especially those in informal settlements, are disproportionately affected by these challenges.

Confronting Social and Economic Inequities

The crisis extends beyond environmental issues; urban centers are also facing growing social and economic divides. The World Cities Report cautions that the economic impact of escalating natural disasters could surpass $1 trillion annually by mid-century.

The Housing Challenge

Currently, a global housing crisis affects over 2.8 billion individuals. Investment in social housing is dwindling, with many regions dedicating less than 0.5% of GDP to this cause. Internal displacement due to conflict and natural disasters is further exacerbating the housing shortage. According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center, the number of internally displaced persons in Africa has surged to 35 million over the last 15 years, with 60% seeking refuge in already overburdened urban areas.

Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

It is vital to recognize that cities can be part of the solution, not just the problem. A shift in focus is needed towards reimagining urban policies, land use, legislation, and financial strategies to prioritize housing and essential services, driving both climate action and sustainable development. The link between affordable housing, equitable urban design, and sustainable practices must be solidified.

Maximizing Land Use

First, we must optimize land utilization for ecological, economic, and social benefits. This approach can help reduce emissions, improve access, and unlock the potential of urban spaces. A crucial aspect of this is to invigorate local economies through the transformation of informal settlements and their integration into the broader urban framework. This is especially pertinent given the informal economy’s significant role in GDP within the Global South. For example, the International Labour Organization reported that in 2021, 98.5% of Niger’s workforce was engaged in informal employment, while a similar figure of 97.5% was seen in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Informality also extends to land rights and property issues; in Angola, only 6.6% of urban households are registered for property tax, leading to a mere 0.26% contribution to the state budget from property taxes in 2023, as highlighted by the World Bank in the Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa 2024 Yearbook.

Advancing Sustainable Housing Practices

Next, we should prioritize the development of housing that utilizes sustainable construction materials while also nurturing local markets. Housing and construction can fulfill dual purposes: creating jobs and stimulating the economy while promoting environmentally friendly practices. By incorporating sustainable materials—such as recycled steel, bamboo, and energy-efficient insulation—we can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of both new buildings and renovations.

Integrating Essential Services

Moreover, essential services—like clean energy, water, sanitation, and transportation—must be integrated into urban planning, requiring substantial infrastructure investments. These services are crucial not only for the well-being of residents but also for effectively addressing and adapting to climate change, ensuring the sustainability and resilience of cities for future generations.

The Importance of Local Governments

Local and regional governments play a vital role in these transformative efforts. They serve as the bridge between global ambitions and local actions, linking infrastructure, services, and communities, while forming the backbone of the SDGs. This requires collaboration with the most marginalized communities in informal settlements and developing strategies that optimize the built environment while considering demographic trends and consumer needs.

Investing in Housing as a Fundamental Solution

However, we cannot build a solid foundation for the SDG framework without addressing the housing crisis. Housing is a fundamental support system. Rapid urbanization is particularly pronounced in Africa and Asia, and cities in these regions must rise to the challenge of accommodating their growing populations. Investments in housing and infrastructure should be viewed as opportunities to achieve economies of scale and expand both consumer and tax bases. According to the U.S. National Association of Home Builders, constructing 100 affordable homes can generate 161 local jobs in the first year alone, leading to an injection of $11.7 million into the local economy.

A Collective Path Forward

The path forward is clear: we need collective efforts that align social, urban, and climate goals, all grounded in local action, with adequate housing at the core.

A Fundamental Principle

Our guiding principle is simple yet profound: care for the people, and they will, in turn, care for the planet.