How Cities Shape the Future
With the urban population expected to rise to 68 % by 2050, as projected by the United Nations, cities worldwide are challenged to integrate sustainability without compromising quality of life. Public sector leaders have a key role to play in initiating and implementing change that delivers both environmental and social benefits.
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Successful city projects:
San Francisco, USA — Leading the way in recycling: San Francisco aims to cut waste generation by 15 % and reduce landfilling or incineration of waste by 50 % by 2030, showcasing its commitment to progressive recycling initiatives.
Copenhagen, Denmark — On the road to carbon neutrality: The city aims to become the first carbon-neutral capital by 2025, supported by more than 390 kilometres of bike lanes that promote eco-friendly mobility.
Singapore — Green oases in the city: Singapore is transforming into a ‘city in a garden’, with the Gardens by the Bay and their futuristic ‘Supertrees’ exemplifying the harmonisation of urbanity and green spaces.
Strategies for sustainable cities:
Amsterdam, Netherlands — Financing through green bonds: Amsterdam has raised €500 million through green bonds for sustainable projects, helping the city move closer to its goal of a more sustainable future.
Tallinn, Estonia — Connected city through free Wi-Fi: Providing free public Wi-Fi in Tallinn supports digital connectivity and strengthens the community.
Ljubljana, Slovenia — Commitment to zero waste: Ljubljana has increased its recycling rate to an impressive 68 %; with the aim of recycling at least 75 % of waste by 2025, making the city a pioneer in Europe.
Sustainable urban development and enhanced business outcomes require visionary planning and the commitment of all stakeholders. The cities presented prove that targeted measures and a willingness to change can have a major impact. In the development of sustainable urban projects, ‘Ethical Design Intelligence’ plays a central role, so that ‘Ethical Business | Better Profits’ go hand in hand. This approach helps to effectively address current challenges such as urbanisation, climate change and social inequality. By promoting a culture of virtue and ethical reflection, we contribute to a more liveable, fairer and more sustainable world.
List of sources
United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. (2018). ‘World Urbanisation Prospects: The 2018 Revision’. Available online: https://population.un.org/wup/Publications/Files/WUP2018-Report.pdf
Politico. (2019). ‘How San Francisco Became A Global Leader In Waste Management’. Available online: https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2019/11/21/san-francisco-recycling-sustainability-trash-landfills-070075
Municipality of Copenhagen. (2020). ‘Copenhagen City of Cyclists’. Available online: https://international.kk.dk/live/transport-and-parking/cycling-in-copenhagen
National Parks Board, Singapore. (2021). ‘Gardens by the Bay’. Available online: https://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/about-us/our-gardens-story/sustainability-efforts.html
Municipality of Amsterdam. (2020). ‘Amsterdam Green Bond’. Available online: https://www.amsterdam.nl/en/policy/sustainability/policy-climate-neutrality/
Visit Tallinn. (2019). ‘Free Wi-Fi Areas in Tallinn’. Available online: https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/plan/good-to-know/free-wi-fi-areas
WHO. (2021). ‘Ethics and governance of artificial intelligence for health: WHO guidance’. Available online: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240029200
Nature Machine Intelligence. (2020). ‘An embedded ethics approach for AI development’. Available online: https://www.nature.com/articles/s42256-020-0214-1
Design Week. (2015). ‘Ethics in design — or why you need to draw your own line’. Available online: https://www.designweek.co.uk/issues/june-2018/ethics-in-design-or-why-you-need-to-draw-your-own-line/
