Building Sustainable Cities and Communities with UrbanChange

Sustainable Cities and Communities as a Sustainable Development Goal

Based on the most recent 2023 UN SDG progress report, there have been advancements in certain areas; however, the pace of progress for a significant number of targets is disconcertingly slow or has even regressed.

For instance, Goal #11, “Sustainable Cities and Communities,” faces considerable challenges. The report indicates that we are far from achieving it, and here are some concerning statistics:

• “In many developing countries, slum populations continue to grow, jeopardizing the target of providing adequate housing for all by 2030.”
• “Since 2015, the number of countries with national disaster risk reduction strategies has more than doubled.”
• “In 2022, the global average municipal solid waste (MSW) collection rate in cities stood at 82%, and the average MSW managed in controlled facilities in cities was 55%.”
• “The MSW collection rates in sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania are less than 60%.”

These figures serve as a stark reminder of the importance of these goals for a better future, not only for us but also for the generations to come. It is imperative that we act swiftly and collaboratively to make significant progress toward achieving the UN SDGs.

However, the crucial question remains: how do we engage people to take actions toward achieving these goals? How can we encourage them to take action?

This is where the UrbanChange Protocol comes into play. Through UrbanChange, organizations can define objectives and effectively engage individuals in taking action to accomplish those goals.

To learn more about how it works, continue reading below.

*Sustainable Development Goals — a collection of seventeen interlinked objectives formulated by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and designed to serve as a “shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future”.

**Sustainable Cities and Communities — goal #11, “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”(source).

Turn Budget into Impact

Cities and organizations often struggle to achieve their ambitious goals, facing the challenge of connecting community members to these objectives. That’s where the UrbanChange Protocol comes in.

The UrbanChange Protocol is a revolutionary solution that empowers cities and organizations to foster long-term behavioral change and maximize the impact of their budgets. By leveraging the innovative dual-token model, UrbanChange addresses the disconnection between communities and their goals.

The protocol introduces LocalCoins, creating an ecosystem that incentivizes community engagement. Residents are rewarded with user-friendly LocalCoins for their actions aligned with community goals. Then, they spend LocalCoins at local businesses only, which promotes a circular economy within the community.

Now, let’s explore some use cases in detail.

At UrbanChange, we believe in the power of communities and every single resident. In this post, we present some of the use cases that emerged from our global community, representing ideas that seem to resonate with people’s needs and aspirations.

The use cases are aligned with the following SDG goals:

• Sustainable Cities and Communities
• Quality Education
• Good Health and Well-Being
• Climate Action

Let’s explore the top use cases that emerged from our community in the “Sustainable Cities and Communities” category.

Note: Images in this article are submitted by our community members, respecting their original authorship and content.

Use Case #1: Collecting Garbage

Author: @Andrzej.btc (Twitter)

Initiative: Community members are asked to collect garbage to earn LocalCoins for purchases at local shops, promoting a cleaner environment and supporting local businesses.

How to calculate the impact in this case?
We can imagine calculations as follows (the proportions are customizable):

• $150k = 30,000 bags of garbage collected
• $200k = 20,000 hours of community members collecting garbage

How to verify the actions?

Community members could submit garbage weight via the UrbanChange app, sharing photos or receipts from designated collection points. The submitted results can be verified by authorities at the garbage collection points or by a community verification team.

This use case idea is highly popular among our community, and @Andrzej.btc was the first to submit this concept, making him a featured contributor in our Medium post.

Use Case #2: Don’t Use Your Car!

Author: @Marcin5955 (Twitter)

Initiative: Community members are motivated to stay active and improve their fitness by earning LocalCoins for the number of steps they take or kilometers they ride on a bike.

How to calculate the impact in this case?
We can imagine calculations as follows (the proportions are customizable):

• $150k = 750,000 kilometers ridden on bikes
• $200k = 400,000,000 steps taken by community members

How to verify the actions?

Community members can track their running steps using fitness tracking apps or devices and submit the data through the UrbanChange app for verification.

The concept of incentivized “walking” or “running” has become increasingly popular in our community as a valuable use case for the protocol. Seems like the world needs it!

Use Case #3: GardenGreen Initiative

Author: @TheBlatherskite (Twitter)

Initiative: Community members can earn LocalCoins by spending time in a community garden, promoting a healthier lifestyle, and connecting with nature.

How to calculate the impact in this case?
We can imagine calculations as follows (the proportions are customizable):

• $200k = 20,000 hours of community members spending time in the garden
• $150k = 15,000 plants or trees planted in the community garden

How to verify the actions?

Through the UrbanChange app, participants can submit their gardening activities, such as planting, harvesting, or maintaining the garden. Verification can be done through community-led garden inspections or by submitting photos of their gardening efforts.

This use case has gained significant attention and engagement within our community. In this post, we are delighted to acknowledge @TheBlatherskite as the first contributor to propose the idea of a city garden.

Use Case #4: Sustainable Shopping

Author: @KryptonimKrypto (Twitter)

Initiative: Community members can earn LocalCoins by shopping at specific local businesses that prioritize sustainable materials. They can also earn LocalCoins by opting for cloth bags instead of plastic bags while shopping at supermarkets and retail shops.

How to calculate the impact in this case?
We can imagine calculations as follows (the proportions are customizable):

• $200k = 20,000 community members shopping at local businesses with sustainable practices
• $150k = 30,000 cloth bags used instead of plastic bags

How to verify the actions?

For shopping at a specific business, participants can provide receipts as proof of their sustainable purchases. As for using cloth bags, dedicated community-led inspectors can be stationed in shops to verify the participants’ efforts. Alternatively, participants can submit photos of their filled-up cloth bags as evidence.

Use Case #5: Building sustainable communities initiative

Author: @O_G (Twitter)

Initiative: Sometimes community goals can require a set of actions, not just one. Then an entire system of incentivized actions can be introduced. For example, to make the community more sustainable, the following actions can be rewarded with LocalCoins: waste sorting, shopping at local ‘green’ businesses, attending masterclasses related to sustainable living, etc.

How to calculate the impact in this case?
We can imagine calculations as follows (the proportions are customizable):

• $200k = 20,000 households participating in waste sorting
• $90k = 9,000 individuals attending sustainable living masterclasses

How to verify the actions?

Participants can provide receipts as proof of their sustainable purchases at “green” businesses. For waste sorting, designated collection points can be established where community members submit their sorted waste. Local inspectors or receipts from waste sorting points can verify these actions. Masterclass attendance can be easily verified during the event itself.

Use Case #6: Enhancing Urban Green Spaces

Author: @O_G (Twitter)

Initiative: Community members have the opportunity to earn LocalCoins by volunteering their time and skills to maintain green spaces in the neighborhood.It could be actions such as planting trees, cleaning up parks, and taking care of plants.

How to calculate the impact in this case?
We can imagine calculations as follows (the proportions are customizable):

• $200k = 20,000 hours of community members volunteering for green space maintenance
• $150k = 15,000 trees planted or park cleanups completed

How to verify the actions?

Community members can document their participation and contributions through the UrbanChange app, providing evidence of their involvement in the green initiatives. This can include before-and-after photos, progress updates, or testimonials from other community members.

Bring UrbanChange to Your Community

Every city and community has its unique characteristics and priorities. While the use cases presented in this post may resonate with some communities, they might not align with the goals of others.

What makes the UrbanChange protocol truly amazing is its adaptability to different community needs. Whether it’s promoting sustainability, education, health, or other initiatives, the protocol has the power to efficiently and transparently transform budgets into impactful outcomes.

If you’re curious to learn more about the UrbanChange protocol and how it can benefit your community, we invite you to book a demo here and discover its potential firsthand.

Are you a resident with a vision for a brighter future in your local community? Join our Quests, and become part of the UrbanChange movement. Share your use case ideas, contribute to our Medium posts, and earn exciting rewards along the way. Together, let’s create positive change and make a difference in communities around the world!