SDG 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities
“Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”
Please click here for a full, international overview of SDG 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities.
How is Boston tracking toward SDG 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities?
I want to advocate for Sustainable Cities & Communities, where do I start?
Start advocating by picking an indicator that needs your help…
Support these regional organizations
Get involved with Metropolitan Area Planning Council, the regional planning agency serving the people who live and work in the 101 cities and towns of Metropolitan Boston.
Advocate with City Life / Vida Urbana, a grassroots community organization committed to fighting for racial, social and economic justice and gender equality by building working class power.
Support the RAFT Program, which is funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and provides short-term, limited financial assistance for eligible families
Support these national/international organizations
Read UN Habitat’s fact sheet on the Right to Adequate Housing.
Check out this article that considers the economic approach to Adequate Housing.
Support regional organizations
Volunteer with Speak for the Trees Boston and help improve the size and health of the urban tree canopy in Boston, particularly in under-resourced and under-canopied neighborhoods.
Make a gift to the Trustees of the Reservations. Each year, this non-profit organization maintains over 120 parks, summer camps, and gardens throughout Massachusetts and is the state’s largest preservation and conservation nonprofit.
National/International organizations
Visit a National Park, encourage state and federal lawmakers to create new parks, or become a community ambassador for the parks with the National Park Service.
Support these regional organizations
If you are in a place to give financially, give to The Boston Foundation’s Strategic Focus area on "Neighborhoods + Housing.” Their robust strategy includes supporting affordable housing projects and policy to prevent displacement.
Key pieces of legislation
“An act to promote affordable housing”
Support regional organizations
Create a faster, more reliable form of public transport by supporting Boston BRT (Bus Rapid Transit). BRT improves the bus experience by implementing dedicated bus lanes, level boarding, and bus priority.
Respond to Transportation for Massachusetts’ (T4MA) volunteer form and start lending your time and energy toward creating better public transit.
Read the Focus40 Plan for the MBTA, an investment plan set forth in 2019 to create a better MBTA (Boston’s public transit system).
Support these national/international organizations
Check out ITDP’s Pedestrians First—Tools for a Walkable City. Plug-in your city and answer questions to see policy recommendations to improve your city’s transportation and walkability.
Uplift a small business or startup that is working toward sustainable transportation by encouraging them to enter AcceliCITY with Leading Cities. This global competition supports entrepreneurs looking to improve urban sustainability and equity.
