SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND DEBVELOPMENT
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By: Kevin Wang, Australia
Sustainable development aims to create cities and human settlements that are inclusive, safe, resilient, and smarter. Achieving this requires a focus on sustainable cities and settlements, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable transport. In this essay, we will explore these interconnected aspects and the role they play in shaping a sustainable future. Additionally, we will consider the impacts of COVID-19 and the importance of youth involvement in driving positive change. Section 1: Sustainable Cities and Settlements / Sustainable Transport Sustainable
cities
and
settlements
encompass
the
utilization
of
new
ideas,
technologies, and innovations to improve the quality of life, well-being, and the environment of urban areas. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on these endeavors. During the pandemic, the imposed restrictions inadvertently aided in the recovery of the Earth's ecosystems, providing a glimpse of the positive environmental effects of reduced human activities. Moreover, the shift towards remote work and online learning led to desynchronized peak hours, easing the strain on transportation infrastructure. However, the global supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic resulted in slowed development and highlighted the vulnerabilities of urban systems. Additionally, there has been a noticeable trend of people shifting away from public transport, leading to potential negative consequences such as increased private vehicle usage and traffic congestion. Furthermore, industries heavily reliant on global travel, like aviation, have suffered due to travel restrictions.
