Motivation for the EO Toolkit for Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements
Sustainable Development Goal 11, also known as the urban SDG, aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. As the sole SDG focusing on cities and human settlements, it underscores the importance and relevance of local and subnational perspectives to the achievement of sustainable development worldwide. In addition to Goal 11, the New Urban Agenda (NUA) recognizes the increasing role of cities, local communities and the full spectrum of human settlements in the implementation and localization of the SDGs, in an integrated manner. The New Urban Agenda particularly highlights the strong relationship between good urbanization and development, underlying linkages between enhanced quality of life, job creation, social inclusion, livelihood opportunities and good urbanization.
Earth observations (EO), acquired remotely by space-borne, airborne and in situ sensors, and ground-based observations represent reliable, timely and continuous sources of information for Goal 11 and related urban issues. Many national and local level governments and organizations, however, are unfamiliar with or lack the skills and capacity required to apply Earth observations in support of urban policy, planning, monitoring, reporting and operational decision making.
The primary motivation for this toolkit is to support local communities, cities and countries in understanding the value and usefulness of Earth observations for SDG 11 and the New Urban Agenda and to provide practical guidance and examples of EO data, tools, and use cases in support of sustainable urbanization and resilience.
Read about the Earth Observations Toolkit for Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements here
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