In response to rapid urbanisation, climate change, and growing social inequalities, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Committee on Urban Development, Housing and Land-Management, its subsidiary bodies and its network of Geneva UN Charter Centres of Excellence focus on sustainable urban development and housing policies. Guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), these initiatives are aimed at aligning urban policies and practices with global sustainability objectives, promoting resilience in housing and infrastructure, fostering social inclusion, enhancing data-driven urban governance, addressing climate change impacts, and strengthening international cooperation among cities. This collection of papers have been prepared by various UNECE Centres of Excellence, and documents research and activities being undertaken by the Centres to address these challenges.
In Chapter I, the report from the Centre of Excellence on Smart Sustainable Cities at The Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom, explores how cities can address the challenges of the Anthropocene—an era where human activities significantly alter the planet. It reflects on progress made towards Agenda 2030 and the SDGs, highlighting the need for systemic approaches in urban planning to ensure cities remain resilient and sustainable as we enter the second half of the 2030 timeline.