I N T E R N AT I O N A L CONFERENCE Public Space in the Sustainable Development Goals Future of Places is supporting an urban SDG with a specific target on public space The UN General Assembly recommended that the Open Working Group on SDGs report should be the basis for the intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda. The report proposes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of which “Making Cities and Human Settlements Inclusive, Safe, Resilient and Sustainable” (SDG-11) consisting of 7 action targets and 3 means of implementation targets. Target 11.7 is specifically related to public space: by 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, particularly for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities. AT THE TURN OF THE new Millennium, world leaders adopted the UN Millennium Declaration, committing their nations to a new global partnership to reduce extreme poverty and setting out a series of time-bound goals and targets, with a deadline of 2015 – appropriately named the M illennium Development Goals (MDGs). The urban dimension of the MDGs was articulated in Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability, more specifically, Target D: Achieve, by 2020, a s ignificant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers. Although Target D was achieved, in absolute terms more slum dwellers have been added to the global population with 863 million people estimated to be living in slums in 2012 compared to 650 million in 1990 and 760 million in 2000. http://futureofplaces.com The Post-2015 Development Agenda is poised to replace the MDGs upon their expiration in 2015. The Rio+20 document The Future We Want resolved to establish an inclusive and transparent intergovernmental process on SDGs that is open to all stakeholders with a view to developing global Sustainable Development Goals – the new framework for achieving a world of prosperity, equity, freedom, dignity and peace. There has been a growing campaign for strengthening the urban dimension of the new SDGs. The High Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda stated, “Cities are where the battle for sustainable development will be won or lost…”. In addition, the UN Secretary- General’s report “A life of dignity for all”, recognized “Meet[ing] the challenges of urbanization” as one of key “…transformative and mutually reinforcing actions that apply to all countries…” [email protected] @futureofplaces I N T E R N AT I O N A L CONFERENCE Following are the indicators of public space that are currently in discussion: Ensure that there is an accessible public park or recreational open space within half-a-kilometer of every city resident by 2015 (Urban Environmental Accords, Action 10). Increase measures to protect women and girls from violence and harassment, including sexual harassment and bullying, in both public and private spaces, to address security and safety, through awareness-raising, involvement of local communities, crime prevention laws, policies, programmes, improved urban planning, infrastructures, public transport and street lighting, and also through social and interactive media (CSW, 2013). Extend the rule of law and policing to all urban areas, reduce violent deaths in urban areas per 100,000 by x and eliminate all forms of violence against women and children. By 2030, all city-regions achieve a tree canopy of at least 25 % of land area and meet WHO’s suggested minimum of 9 m2 open space per resident. Increase by one-third the amount of urban public space over total urban land area, with particular consideration of urban safety. Increase access to public space and services (Percentage of citizens living within 300 m of public open areas). Increase the proportion of green (unsealed/ unpaved) public land in cities. Include in national frameworks and action plans a “Cultural Impact Assessment” mechanism for urbanization processes in order to improve the cultural quality of public spaces (through public art, distinctive architecture, design, and landscapes). Continued support for SDG-11, and in particular public space Target 11.7, will be crucial for its final acceptance. This support will be even more important to ensure adequate means of implementation and a sound monitoring framework that will be necessary to catalyze action on public space as a contribution to sustainable cities and human settlements. If approved by the General Assembly in September 2015, this goal and target would constitute the most significant attention ever to public space in the global policy arena. http://futureofplaces.com [email protected] @futureofplaces