The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has, at its heart, 17 Sustainable Development goals adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015.
The 11 Sustainable Development Goal is 'Sustainable Cities and Communities.' The goal of Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11) is to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
Here are the key aspects (or targets) of SDG 11:
🌆 Safe and Affordable Housing: Building Sustainable Cities for All
Urbanisation is transforming our world at an unprecedented rate. As cities grow, ensuring that everyone has access to safe, affordable, and adequate housing has become one of the most urgent global challenges.
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11.1 aims to tackle this by ensuring access to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services, and upgrading slums for all by 2030.
🏠 Purpose of Affordable Housing under SDG 11
Affordable housing is more than just a roof over one’s head — it’s a pathway to equality, health, and sustainable growth.
🌍 Reduce Inequality
Bridge the gap between the rich and the poor by providing inclusive and affordable housing options.💚 Improve Health and Well-being
Ensure safe, secure, and healthy living conditions for all.🌱 Promote Sustainable Development
Encourage sustainable urbanisation and thoughtful human settlements planning.
🏗️ Efforts Taken to Achieve Affordable Housing
📝 1. Implementing Policies
Governments are adopting policies that support affordable and eco-friendly housing construction, ensuring safe living spaces for all.
🏚️ 2. Slum Upgrading
Upgrading informal settlements helps improve living standards and gives communities a stronger foundation for the future.
👥 3. Community Participation
Local communities are being actively involved in urban planning and decision-making, leading to more inclusive and practical solutions.
🌆 4. Sustainable Urbanisation
Efforts are being made to promote inclusive and sustainable urbanisation, shaping cities that are resilient and equitable.
🏢 UN-Habitat & the New Urban Agenda
As the lead UN agency for sustainable urbanisation, UN-Habitat places affordability, sustainability, and inclusiveness at the core of the urban development process.
What UN-Habitat Does:
Helps cities plan and manage land efficiently
Supports the delivery of housing and infrastructure
Encourages urban policies that foster sustainable growth
📊 Key Reports & Estimates
By 2030, around 3 billion people (≈ 40 % of the global population) will need access to adequate housing.
An estimated 100 million people are currently homeless, while 1 in 4 people live in harmful conditions that affect their health, safety, and prosperity.
🌐 Campaigns & Flagship Programmes by UN-Habitat
🗣️ Global Campaigns
World Urban Campaign
Housing for All Campaign
#ClimateAction4Cities
National Campaign on Cities and Human Settlements (India)
Global Campaign on Urban Governance
COVID-19 Urban Response Campaign
Social and Affordable Housing for All Initiative / Social Housing Hub
🌟 Flagship Programmes
Inclusive, Vibrant Neighbourhoods and Communities
People-centred Smart Cities
Building the Climate Resilience of the Urban Poor
Inclusive Cities: Enhancing the Positive Impacts of Urban Migration
Urban 2030 (SDG Cities)
🌍 Real-World Impact
🏘️ 30 Countries
Prevented forced evictions through UN-Habitat and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.🇱🇰 Sri Lanka: 1,600 Households
Estate worker families benefited from infrastructure for homes they built through a community-driven approach.🌐 43 Countries
Developed and implemented improved housing policies with technical support from UN-Habitat.
✨ Why Affordable Housing Matters
🚰 Improved Living Conditions — Better access to water, sanitation, and energy.
💰 Reduced Poverty — Lower housing costs help lift families out of poverty.
🧠 Community Engagement — Inclusive planning empowers citizens.
🌳 Environmental Benefits — Sustainable housing reduces environmental impact.
📈 Economic Growth — Affordable housing stimulates local economies and reduces financial strain on households.
📝 Final Thought
Affordable housing is a cornerstone of sustainable cities. It’s not just about buildings — it’s about dignity, opportunity, and resilience. Achieving SDG 11.1 by 2030 will require global cooperation, smart planning, and community empowerment, ensuring that no one is left behind in the urban future.
✍️ ~ D.C.Shreya
