- 1 By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.
- 2 By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all.
- 3 Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory human settlement planning.
- 4 Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world's cultural and natural heritage.
- 5 By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and people affected by disasters.
Cities are growing faster than at any point in human history — by 2050, 7 in 10 people will live in urban areas. Significant strides have been made in urban services and infrastructure, but affordable housing, informal settlements, and climate resilience gaps are widening as fast urbanisation outpaces investment.
What We've Accomplished
- The proportion of urban residents living in slums fell from 30% in 2000 to 24% by 2020.
- Public transit ridership and coverage expanded significantly in cities across Asia, Latin America, and Europe.
- Singapore became a global model of planned, green, and liveable high-density urbanism.
- Over 10,000 cities have adopted disaster risk reduction strategies under the Sendai Framework.
- Curitiba, Brazil pioneered bus rapid transit systems replicated in over 200 cities worldwide.
2030 Outlook
While the slum percentage has dropped, the absolute number of slum dwellers has risen as cities grow — over 1 billion people still live in informal settlements. In sub-Saharan Africa, the urban slum population is projected to double by 2030. Affordable housing is a worsening crisis in both developing and developed world cities. Climate adaptation for cities requires investment that most municipalities lack the resources to fund independently.