Are Our Cities and Communities Prepared to Face New Crises? What We Have Learned from the Response to the Pandemic

[This article has been written by Carlos Illán, expert in Development and Agenda 2030 and Leire Pajín, Director of Global Development at ISGlobal]

The crises stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic have shown the intrinsic link between local public service provision and health systems and the important role that these services play in protecting people and the planet and fostering prosperity and care for all. The pandemic has been particularly critical in that it has revealed deep vulnerabilities in health systems, essential services and food security, as well as the lack of crisis preparedness of many governments, at all levels. It has also revealed the direct link between local public service provision and health systems and underscored their importance in protecting people and the planet. Local and regional sustainable policymaking has been critical to preserve our communities’ safety, linking health systems, public services and the universal development agendas.

At ISGlobal, we know the important role that cities, and urban planning in particular, play in the promotion of good health and well-being, notably in the context of global challenges like COVID-19. For instance, our Urban Planning, Environment and Health Initiative addresses the challenges posed by urbanisation, putting health and well-being at the centre of urban development and tackling problems such as high air pollution and noise, heat island effects, lack of green space and sedentary behaviour.

At ISGlobal, we know the important role that cities, and urban planning in particular, play in the promotion of good health and well-being, notably in the context of global challenges like COVID-19

More recently, we analysed how local and regional governments have responded to the pandemic in cities and territories worldwide, paying particular attention to the connection of these responses to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our work was included in the report Towards the Localization of the SDGs, presented by the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments at the United Nations’ High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, the core platform for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 SDGs.

 Edu Bayer / Barcelona City Council

Our analysis was based on over 1,000 specific COVID-19 responses implemented by cities and territories around the world from 55 sources of information. We showed that while health and well-being are explicitly addressed in SDG 3, health is also present as either a pre-condition or a collateral endpoint in other SDGs. Understanding the interlinkages between SDGs therefore remains critical for sustainable development if societies are to address the current pandemic and recover from it. We adapted the WHO’s “Health in All Policies” (HiAP) approach, a powerful and operational lens through which to conduct public policy across different sectors, and coined the term SDG 3+, which promotes the permeability of health and well-being as both a means and an end in the 2030 Agenda, looking beyond SDG 3. It considers health holistically and explicitly establishes connections with the other SDGs.

We analysed how local and regional governments have responded to the pandemic in cities and territories worldwide, paying particular attention to the connection of these responses to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

What Have We Learnt From Our Analysis?

First, the crisis has brought to the fore the need to develop cities and territories that care for their citizens and uphold their essential rights of access to public health, adequate housing, basic services and a livelihood. In this sense, the COVID-19 crisis has shown how approaches based on participation, solidarity and respect for human rights can generate new paths towards inclusive development.

Our analysis was based on over 1,000 specific COVID-19 responses implemented by cities and territories around the world from 55 sources of information

Second, the crisis has also highlighted the need to revise urban design and public policy and to foster solidarity, in line with the notion of “caring cities”. More and more local governments are understanding the importance of addressing spatial and social inequalities, providing a more equitable distribution of services, safeguarding livelihoods, and guaranteeing open public spaces, cultural activities and amenities for everyone. These spaces must be inclusive and contribute to meeting the daily needs of local inhabitants.

Martí Petit / Barcelona City Council

Third, the need to improve the conditions of buildings and housing to make them more accessible and energy-efficient has been brought to the fore by the COVID-19 crisis, as has the need for quality space for living. Soft mobility solutions have bloomed over the past year, but COVID-19 has reduced the demand for public transport systems worldwide. This threatens an increase in the use of private motorised vehicles, which are major contributors to negative health and environmental impacts. Investment in improving housing and safeguarding sustainable public mobility options, advancing soft mobility and proximity, and greening cities through planning can provide benefits across multiple sectors.

The crisis has brought to the fore the need to develop cities and territories that care for their citizens and uphold their essential rights of access to public health, adequate housing, basic services and a livelihood

Fourth, pathways for achieving more sustainable models of production and consumption for cities and territories continue to grow. These include models based on the circular economy and proximity-based models of production and consumption. However, the pace at which these models are expanding is still insufficient. Their adoption also entails certain challenges and requires a systemic and holistic approach that goes beyond any one particular sector.

As the conversation turns towards recovery, we must address the failures and gaps that have been observed during the pandemic to prepare our communities to be more resilient and better able to cope with possible recurrent crises of a similar nature.