UNDP conducted an online survey during December 2024 and January 2025 to better understand the interests and priorities of local and regional governments regarding learning and knowledge generation, as well as to guide the work of SDG Local Action in preparing guidelines, organizing webinars, learning sessions, and collaborative initiatives that will inspire innovative solutions for urban sustainability in 2025.
The survey engaged 48 participants from countries like Bolivia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Argentina, Spain, Kenya, Mexico, Cabo Verde, and Ghana.
Key findings
Top themes of interest:
- Traffic management: participants highlighted the importance of addressing high traffic accident rates and promoting sustainable urban mobility through better urban planning, public transport systems, and safety campaigns.
- Cities reinventing themselves through tourism: reflecting a growing focus on leveraging tourism for economic revitalization and cultural preservation.
- Urban art to beautify cities and foster community engagement: participants emphasized the transformative potential of public art initiatives and community art programs in promoting inclusivity and enhancing urban aesthetics.
- Green hydrogen as an energy source: respondents expressed strong interest in exploring how cities adopt this clean energy solution to reduce emissions, decarbonize industries, and foster sustainability in transportation.
- Waterways cleanup: local governments are prioritizing solutions to clean contaminated rivers and streams by employing community-driven initiatives, or advanced filtration technologies.
- Local solutions for mitigating prolonged droughts, such as rainwater harvesting: highlighting the urgent need for strategies like constructing rainwater reservoirs or incentivizing household-level harvesting systems.
New themes to explore: several participants proposed additional topics for consideration, including:
- City carbon credit recovery mechanisms to fund sustainability projects.
- Smart city initiatives to improve urban services and residents’ quality of life.
- Waste management and circular economy practices to create sustainable urban ecosystems.
Geographic focus: participants demonstrated a keen interest in learning from the diverse experiences and insights found in the Global South, particularly from Africa, Latin America, and Central Asia regions.
Building global connections from the local level
This survey provided UNDP with insights into local governments’ aspirations to address urban challenges. By prioritizing themes such as climate resilience, technological innovation, and community participation, local governments can promote the creation of sustainable and equitable cities worldwide. The survey revealed a strong interest in knowledge-sharing platforms, highlighting concrete examples of innovative solutions aligned with the SDGs.