The built environment’s contribution to the progress of the sustainable development goals

Umar, Tariq; Opoku, Alex; Umeokafor, Nnedinma; Ahmed, Sa'id

Abstract

It is now more than six years since the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were agreed to be achieved by all member countries by 2030. While the deadline is approaching fast, still much of the counties are not on track to achieve these goals by the set deadline. This is further supplemented by COVID with a negative impact on the progress on these goals worldwide, but the progress of developing countries was particularly derailed. The aim of this chapter is therefore to explore the progress of UN SDGs in developing countries with a specific reference to the contribution of built environment. The discussion reveals that Goal 6 (clean water and sanitation), Goal 7 (affordable and clean energy), Goal 8 (decent work and economic growth), Goal 9 (industry innovation and infrastructure), Goal 11 (sustainable cited and communities), and Goal 12 (responsible consumption and production) are the key goals where most of the developing countries are facing major challenges. At the same, these are goals where the built environment can play a vital role in their progress and achievement. Finally, the chapter provides an insight of several aspects of built environment sector which can excel the progress these and other SDGs in the context of developing countries – establishing a great contribution of built environment on the progress of SDGs.

Citation

Umar, T., Opoku, A., Umeokafor, N., & Ahmed, S. (2024). The built environment’s contribution to the progress of the sustainable development goals. In A. Opoku (Ed.), The Elgar Companion to the Built Environment and the Sustainable Development Goals. Edward Elgar Publishing

• Acceptance Date: Apr 13, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Feb 8, 2024
• Publication Date: Feb 8, 2024
• Deposit Date: May 9, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 9, 2024
• Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
• Series Title: Elgar Companions to the Sustainable Development Goals series
• Book Title: The Elgar Companion to the Built Environment and the Sustainable Development Goals
• ISBN: 9781035300020
• Keywords: Sustainable Development Goals, Built Environment, Developing Countries, SDGs progress
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10764016
• Publisher URL: https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/the-elgar-companion-to-the-built-environment-and-the-sustainable-development-goals-9781035300020.html
• Related Public URLs: https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/book-series/environment/elgar-companions-to-the-sustainable-development-goals-series.html