PARIS - About 55% of the world's population live in urban areas today, a number that is expected to increase to 68% by 2050, driven mostly by urbanisation in Asia and Africa.
Globally, cities provide more jobs, infrastructure and educational opportunities, while facilitating the provision of public and private services.
But as the world continues to urbanise, many countries will face challenges in meeting the needs of their growing urban populations, especially those of the urban poor and other vulnerable groups.
As cities grow, local governments will drive economic development
The global population living in cities has doubled over the last 40 years and an additional 1.5 billion people are estimated to be living in cities by 2050. As cities grow in size, so too will demand for public services, land, and infrastructure.
At the same time, cities are confronted with challenges to become climate neutral and reduce their environmental footprints. This will require investment in public transport, sustainable water supplies, renewable energy, and green open spaces, among others.
None of this will be possible without new sources of funding for local governments. Policy makers need to think creatively about how to mobilise these resources.
Cities can help get us to net zero
Cities account for more than 70% of global energy-related CO2 emissions, but together with regions, they are also responsible for 69% of climate-related public investments.
This means that cities will be the backdrop for much of the heavy lifting in climate policy over the next several decades, across key areas like land-use, housing, waste, water, energy use, and transport.
The majority of energy-related CO2 emissions in cities are coming from buildings, highlighting the urgent need to improve the energy efficiency of homes and re-think the way we build.
While many countries have begun enforcing stringent standards for new builds, parts of the world where the housing stock is older face the challenge of retrofitting buildings that are considerably less energy efficient. In Europe this is is estimated to cost over EUR 100 billion annually.
Transport systems can enable sustainable and inclusive cities
Carbon emissions from transport are set to rise by 20% over the next 30 years. As private vehicles account for three-quarters of CO2 emissions from urban transport, reducing our reliance on cars is critical.
However, without the right policies, the transition to low-carbon transport has the potential to exacerbate existing social, economic and gender inequalities.
Physical mobility is inextricably linked to social mobility: access to a wide variety of locations leads to increased job opportunities and life-enhancing activities. As such, the next generation of urban transport must not only be low-carbon, but also equally accessible for all.
Cities sit at the forefront of the SDGs
It is estimated that 65% of the 169 targets contained in the UN Sustainable Development Goals cannot be achieved without the engagement of subnational levels. Sustainable and resilient development depends on the successful management of urban growth.
Many cities and regions have used the 2030 Agenda as a framework to shape inclusive and greener long-term COVID-19 recovery strategies, through stimulus measures such as investments in infrastructure and financial assistance.
Others have scaled up sectoral efforts underlying specific SDGs, such as expanding the supply of social housing, encouraging low-carbon mobility through bike lanes, and improving the energy efficiency of buildings.
Africa’s economic future lies in its cities, OECD
Africa’s cities are the youngest and most rapidly growing cities in the world. Over 5 000 new cities have emerged in Africa since 1990, empowering millions of people who enjoy a higher standard of living than that of their country, according to OECD.
This urban expansion presents both immense opportunities to accelerate progress towards the 2030 and 2063 development agendas, and very important challenges in managing and financing urban growth, both at the local and national levels.
As Africa’s cities are projected to grow by an additional 900 million inhabitants between now and 2050, governments need to devolve statutory powers to local governments in order to effectively support economic development.
