This book uses empirical analysis to explore challenges related to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11, which recognizes the need to "make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable." It considers implementation challenges like localizing actions, cross-cutting, preparing data and indicators, establishing processes and structures to measure progress, and communicating the goal to a wider audience. It discusses the importance of cities in Sustainable Development Goals discourse, including the role of cities and human settlements in achieving sustainable development and interactions between different international discourses on cities; the importance of localization and related processes, the cross-cutting nature of the goal, and the process of initiating implementation, with suggestions for local authorities and stakeholders; and examples of policies and strategies from Amman City, Jordan, and Serbia, including actions that integrate Sustainable Development Goals into local, regional, and national plans to improve natural resources management, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and develop urban adaptation and resilience strategies to help achieve Goal 11.

Maha Al-Zu’bi, PhD, is an Action Planning Expert at the Global Green Growth Institute. Dr. Al-Zu’bi lead the action planning process, coordination and development of Jordan’s National Green Growth Action Plan (2019-2030). Dr. Al-Zu’bi has extensive experience in research and managing internationally funded projects, and is actively fostering interdisciplinary approaches to real-world energy, water and environmental issues. 

Introduction