The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity. All countries have agreed to work towards achieving the SDGs.
However, progress has stalled as the world has been confronted with unprecedent crises. The SDGs are unlikely to be achieved without renewed momentum and transformative action. Planning has a key role to play in accelerating the delivery of the SDGs, bringing holistic and integrated approaches and rethinking development paths.
Planners have the skills and expertise to deliver across goals and objectives and balance the often-competing interests of people and nature to create more sustainable outcomes. Planners, through inclusive system approaches and place-based solutions, can play a significant role in localising the SDGs, specifically SDG11. They can help strengthen collaborative governance, provide tools to mainstream and accelerate the progress of the SDGs, integrate analysis and planning, and lead evidence-based decision making.