1.5 Visions of Urban Futures

1.5 Visions of Urban Futures

The unprecedented global impacts and disruption triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic – much of which have played out in urban areas – compel us to reimagine the future of cities and reflect on the type of cities that are needed to support humanity in a predominantly urban world. What do we want our cities to look like, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how can cities prepare for an uncertain future? The vision of the future of cities should be guided by the norms of the New Urban Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially SDG 11. Other global frameworks are also relevant to sustainable urbanization: the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. While this framework was already in place, the COVID-19 pandemic has added a sense of urgency and a demand for a change on the journey towards more sustainable urban futures.

The call in the New Urban Agenda of “cities for all” is a people-centred urban development vision that protects the planet, is age- and gender-responsive, enhances the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms, facilitates living together, ends all forms of discrimination and violence, reduces social and economic inequalities, and empowers all individuals and communities, while enabling their full and meaningful participation (Box 1.3). Indeed, the New Urban Agenda offers a global vision for people, the planet and long-term prosperity in which urbanization plays a vital role for positive change.

The vision of the future of cities should be guided by the norms of the New Urban Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially SDG 11

Vienna has a convenient transport system and facilities, Vienna, Austria © Shutterstock