Sustainable cities
How sustainable urban development can work for people and planet
The future lies in cities
Over the past century, urbanization has reshaped our world: around 4.4 billion people live in cities today - 56% of the global population; in 1950 this figure was only around 750 million, amounting to less than 30% of the world’s population at the time.
By 2050, nearly 70% of the world's population, or almost nine billion people, will reside in urban areas.
This shift has elevated cities into economic powerhouses that foster innovation, economic development, and social interactions.
However, this has come at a cost: often prioritizing immediate economic gains, the fast and unplanned expansion of cities around the world has created a variety of challenges that have a negative impact on both people and the environment, significantly contributing to the intensification of the global climate and biodiversity crises.
Global projections show that urbanization is continuing, and is concentrated in developing countries, where the urban poor disproportionally endure the worst of the environmental problems caused by this trend.
This means that sustainable urban solutions developed and led by local communities are more important than ever if we are to make cities more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable - all aspirations under Sustainable Development Goal 11 as part of the 2030 Agenda.
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is at the forefront of supporting local communities in developing their own sustainable urban solutions. Currently active in 127 countries, including 37 Small Islands Developing States and 40 Least Developed Countries, SGP provides financial and technical support to CSOs and community-based organizations at the local level to drive initiatives that address global environmental issues while improving livelihoods.
Key areas of focus for SGP’s work on sustainable cities include clean energy access and sustainable transport, urban waste and chemical management, urban green space management and biodiversity conservation, land use planning, climate action and disaster risk reduction, capacity development, policy dialogues, education, awareness, and advocacy, among others.
Coke's hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus cokii) in front of Nairobi, Kenya. Photo: Gregoire Dubois
Coke's hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus cokii) in front of Nairobi, Kenya. Photo: Gregoire Dubois
Here are some examples of SGP projects that have successfully managed to address key urban environmental issues across these multiple focal areas:
Recycling metal and electronic waste in Saint John’s, Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda, a Small Island Developing State in the Caribbean, struggles with the indiscriminate disposal and unsafe management of waste, including hazardous electronic products (‘e-waste’).
Due to the lack of specialized treatment facilities, hazardous waste is often burned to extract valuable materials, releasing dangerous fumes and pollutants that contaminate the environment and harm human health.
Worker at Wills Recycling center. Photo: SGP Antigua and Barbuda
In 2018, SGP supported a local business, Will's Recycling, to address this issue. In partnership with various organizations, including Zero Waste Antigua and Barbuda, the National Solid Waste Management Authority, and the Ministry of Tourism and Investment, the project focused on reusing different types of metal and electronic waste to prevent them from reaching the already overburdened landfill.
Granulator in use. Photo: SGP Antigua and Barbuda
The project's multifaceted approach included purchasing equipment, such as a granulator to separate copper wire from its plastic insulation, and a gas recovery machine to extract gases from air conditioning units, as well as a public outreach campaign about sustainable waste management practices.
By engaging waste pickers and providing them with a cleaner and healthier work environment, the initiative not only prevented the burning of electronic waste, but also contributed to improved air, soil, and water quality in communities near the landfill.
Granulator installed. Photo: SGP Antigua and Barbuda
With strategic partnerships and extensive stakeholder involvement, the project successfully served 240 people, generated employment, and provided economic incentives for individuals to sell metal waste to the wire-stripping center.
Scraps ready for processing at Wills Recycling facility. Photo: SGP Antigua and Barbuda
Worker at Wills Recycling center. Photo: SGP Antigua and Barbuda
Worker at Wills Recycling center. Photo: SGP Antigua and Barbuda
Granulator in use. Photo: SGP Antigua and Barbuda
Granulator in use. Photo: SGP Antigua and Barbuda
Granulator installed. Photo: SGP Antigua and Barbuda
Granulator installed. Photo: SGP Antigua and Barbuda
Scraps ready for processing at Wills Recycling facility. Photo: SGP Antigua and Barbuda
Scraps ready for processing at Wills Recycling facility. Photo: SGP Antigua and Barbuda
Making nature accessible to persons with disabilities in Thimphu, Bhutan
Despite being renowned for its rich biodiversity, Bhutan still lacks inclusive access to nature for persons with disabilities (PwDs).
Recognizing the health and well-being benefits of being in contact with nature, a youth community-based organization for PwDs called the Zhenphen Group launched the Nature for All project in 2021, in collaboration with the National Biodiversity Centre and with support from SGP. The project focused on improving the accessibility and inclusivity of the Royal Botanical Garden (RBG) near the country’s capital Thimphu, and actively involved over 15 PwDs in the project’s planning and implementation.
Members of the Zhenphen Group visiting the Serbithang Botanical Garden. Photo: National Biodiversity Centre, Bhutan
“I miss going out and being in nature. When I am feeling low and depressed, I feel a lot better when I am out in nature. There are parks in Thimphu, but they are inaccessible for wheelchairs, so it has been a challenge.”
Universal design elements, including accessible toilets, disability-friendly footpaths, braille interpretation boards, and sign-language videos were installed.
The initiative also fostered environmental awareness among PwDs through bird-watching programmes and musical instrument training.
Advocacy efforts on White Cane Day and International Disability Day highlighted the project’s commitment to disability rights, and successful fundraising events generated funds for additional activities. Photo: National Biodiversity Centre, Bhutan
Since its completion in 2023, the RBG has experienced an increase in the number of annual visitors, with improved facilities benefiting both PwDs and the general public.
Celebrating White Cane Safety Day. Photo: National Biodiversity Centre, Bhutan
“By providing a space where PwDs can freely engage with nature, the project will not only address the existing accessibility gaps, but also foster a sense of belonging and empowerment among individuals who have often been marginalized.”
Members of the Zhenphen Group visiting the Serbithang Botanical Garden. Photo: National Biodiversity Centre, Bhutan
Members of the Zhenphen Group visiting the Serbithang Botanical Garden. Photo: National Biodiversity Centre, Bhutan
Advocacy efforts on White Cane Day and International Disability Day highlighted the project’s commitment to disability rights, and successful fundraising events generated funds for additional activities. Photo: National Biodiversity Centre, Bhutan
Advocacy efforts on White Cane Day and International Disability Day highlighted the project’s commitment to disability rights, and successful fundraising events generated funds for additional activities. Photo: National Biodiversity Centre, Bhutan
Celebrating White Cane Safety Day. Photo: National Biodiversity Centre, Bhutan
Celebrating White Cane Safety Day. Photo: National Biodiversity Centre, Bhutan
Promoting a women-led fair energy transition in Umán, Mexico
The Guerreras Fénix de Umán, a cooperative of 40 women motorcycle taxi drivers in the Mexican state of Yucatán, was formed to empower women excluded from the male-dominated transportation sector and provide them with the much-needed benefits that come with a formal job (such as health insurance).
Members of the Guerreras Fénix standing in front of one of their fully electric vehicles. Photo: Grecia Cetina/SGP Mexico
After fighting against gender discrimination, in 2023 the Guerreras Fénix decided to also tackle climate change: with support from SGP, they launched a pilot project to upgrade their fleet of well-maintained and easily identifiable three-wheeled motorcycles with electric engines.
Members of the Guerreras Fénix standing in front of one of their fully electric vehicles. Photo: Grecia Cetina/SGP Mexico
Members of the Guerreras Fénix standing in front of one of their fully electric vehicles. Photo: Grecia Cetina/SGP Mexico
With collaboration from the Model University of Mérida and the City Council of Umán, by the end of 2023 the women had successfully developed and tested a prototype electric engine, using lithium batteries with a day-long lifespan.
Verónica Ocaña Domínguez, President of Guerreras Fénix de Umán, driving one of the vehicles. Photo: Grecia Cetina/SGP Mexico
The prototype also allows enough space for people with disabilities to take wheelchairs in the vehicle. The cooperative estimates the electric engines could save the women around US$5,000 per year.
As they prepared for a knowledge exchange trip to Cuba in early 2024, the Guerreras Fénix also planned the second phase of the project, in which they will convert their entire fleet to use the electric engines and share their experience with other stakeholders, particularly women, in the renewable energy sector.
Guerreras Fénix de Umán. Photo: Grecia Cetina/SGP Mexico
“As women, we want to be the pioneers of the energy transition and inspire other women in Mexico to innovate in the field of clean energy.
Verónica Ocaña Domínguez, President of Guerreras Fénix de Umán, driving one of the vehicles. Photo: Grecia Cetina/SGP Mexico
Verónica Ocaña Domínguez, President of Guerreras Fénix de Umán, driving one of the vehicles. Photo: Grecia Cetina/SGP Mexico
Guerreras Fénix de Umán. Photo: Grecia Cetina/SGP Mexico
Guerreras Fénix de Umán. Photo: Grecia Cetina/SGP Mexico
Improving food security through sustainable farming in urban schools in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe grapples with persistent challenges in food security and nutrition, worsened by natural and economic shocks, which have led to chronic malnutrition, particularly among children.
Recognizing this, SGP has been supporting the civil society organization SCOPE Zimbabwe since 2017. Focused on agroecology projects targeting youth, SCOPE’s environmental education program helps schools redesign and optimize land use for sustainable resource use.
One of the youth leaders participating in the agroecology project in Harare. Photo: Dzikwa Trust
In 2022, SGP supported SCOPE to launch the Green Schools for Nutrition Enhancement Project in the cities of Harare, Gweru, and Bulawayo.
Youth participating in SCOPE’s environmental education program. Photo: SCOPE Zimbabwe
The project works to improve the technical capacity of urban schools to become learning and advocacy centres through permaculture, as well as bolstering agroecology practices – that is, sustainable farming that works with nature.
The fruits of this labour are also used to support the national school-based food programme.
Youth participating in a Seed and Food festival. Photo: SCOPE Zimbabwe
The project also relied on SCOPE’s integrated land-use design approach, which had been previously introduced across the country to regenerate schoolyards into diverse food production zones by knitting together different agro-systems, reclaiming degraded landscapes, and demonstrating good ecological practices, including crop diversification and organic soil fertility management.
The Green Schools project included permaculture, sustainable living, and systemic thinking courses for students and teachers, along with permaculture design training for women-led households in local communities.
Youth building a raised bed keyhole garden. A keyhole garden is a raised garden bed built from organic materials layered in a circle between six and eight feet wide. Photo: SCOPE Zimbabwe
Other activities included installing wood-saving stoves and solar pumps in the schools, promoting rainwater harvesting, and creating educational materials.
The impact is already evident, with school nurseries and gardens, livestock integration, and other agroecology initiatives contributing to both income generation and enhanced food production.
“Young people are the agents of change, therefore let’s include and empower them to create a sustainable lifestyle.”
One of the youth leaders participating in the agroecology project in Harare. Photo: Dzikwa Trust
One of the youth leaders participating in the agroecology project in Harare. Photo: Dzikwa Trust
Youth participating in SCOPE’s environmental education program. Photo: SCOPE Zimbabwe
Youth participating in SCOPE’s environmental education program. Photo: SCOPE Zimbabwe
Youth participating in a Seed and Food festival. Photo: SCOPE Zimbabwe
Youth participating in a Seed and Food festival. Photo: SCOPE Zimbabwe
Youth building a raised bed keyhole garden. A keyhole garden is a raised garden bed built from organic materials layered in a circle between six and eight feet wide. Photo: SCOPE Zimbabwe
Youth building a raised bed keyhole garden. A keyhole garden is a raised garden bed built from organic materials layered in a circle between six and eight feet wide. Photo: SCOPE Zimbabwe
Valladolid, Mexico. Photo: Filip Gielda/Unsplash
Valladolid, Mexico. Photo: Filip Gielda/Unsplash
Local action = Global impact
Since its establishment in 1992, SGP has supported more than 28,000 community-based projects in 136 countries around the globe with over $795 million in project funding and $956 million in co-finance.
To find out more about how SGP supports local and Indigenous communities in developing countries to support sustainable cities, check out this new brochure.
Photo: SGP Argentina
Photo: SGP Argentina
Photo: SGP Egypt
Photo: SGP Egypt
Coastal Watch, Ghana. Photo: SGP Ghana
Coastal Watch, Ghana. Photo: SGP Ghana
Story by Ana Canestrelli, Andrea Egan, and Rissa Edoo
Location: Antigua and Barbuda, Bhutan, Mexico, and Zimbabwe
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