Model UN Background Guide

Committee: Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
Topic: Urbanization and Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11)
Conference Year: 2025

Topic Background

Urbanization, the increasing concentration of populations in cities and metropolitan areas, has been a defining global trend of the 21st century. In 2007, for the first time in history, more than half of the world’s population lived in urban areas, a proportion expected to rise to nearly 70% by 2050 according to UN projections. This rapid urban growth presents both opportunities and challenges, making urbanization a critical issue for sustainable development.

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), adopted in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, explicitly addresses the need to “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.” SDG 11 encompasses targets related to affordable housing, sustainable transport, reducing the environmental impact of cities, and enhancing urban resilience to disasters.

Urbanization is on the ECOSOC agenda in 2025 due to the accelerating pace of urban growth, particularly in developing countries, where many cities face challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, informal settlements, pollution, and social inequality. The COVID-19 pandemic also highlighted the vulnerabilities of urban populations, especially in overcrowded and underserved areas. Furthermore, climate change increasingly threatens urban centers through rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and heatwaves, emphasizing the need for integrated urban planning and resilient infrastructure.

As urban populations grow, ensuring equitable access to services and opportunities while minimizing environmental degradation is vital for achieving the broader 2030 Agenda. ECOSOC’s role in coordinating economic and social policies makes it a key forum for addressing the multidimensional challenges of urbanization and advancing SDG 11.

Key Actors

States

• China: The world’s largest urban population, China has implemented massive urban development projects and smart city initiatives. It is focused on balancing rapid urban growth with environmental sustainability and social stability.
• India: Experiencing some of the fastest urban growth globally, India prioritizes affordable housing, slum upgrading, and expanding urban infrastructure. Its challenges include managing informal settlements and urban poverty.
• Brazil: A middle-income country with significant urban inequality and a large number of informal settlements (favelas), Brazil focuses on social inclusion, participatory urban governance, and public transportation.
• European Union Member States: Many EU countries emphasize sustainable urban mobility, green infrastructure, and climate adaptation measures in cities, often promoting integrated urban policies and technological innovation.
• Nigeria: Representing rapidly urbanizing African nations, Nigeria faces challenges of informal housing, urban poverty, and infrastructure deficits, with a focus on improving basic urban services and governance.

International Organizations

• UN-Habitat: The UN agency specialized in human settlements and sustainable urban development, UN-Habitat provides technical assistance, policy guidance, and data to support SDG 11 implementation globally.
• World Bank: A major financier of urban infrastructure projects, the World Bank supports sustainable urban development through loans, grants, and knowledge-sharing platforms.
• International Labour Organization (ILO): Engaged in promoting decent work and social protection in urban areas, especially in the informal economy.
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): Works on integrating sustainable urbanization into national development plans and disaster risk reduction strategies.

Bloc Positions

1. Developed Countries (e.g., EU, United States, Japan, Canada)

• Emphasize technological innovation, green infrastructure, and climate-resilient urban planning.
• Advocate for strong environmental standards and sustainable transport systems.
• Support data-driven urban governance and smart city initiatives.
• Often prioritize financing mechanisms and public-private partnerships to improve urban infrastructure.

2. Emerging Economies and Middle-Income Countries (e.g., China, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico)

• Focus on balancing rapid urban growth with social inclusion and poverty reduction.
• Stress the importance of affordable housing and upgrading informal settlements.
• Advocate for international support to build urban resilience to climate change and disasters.
• Promote south-south cooperation and knowledge exchange on urban development.

3. Least Developed Countries and Rapidly Urbanizing States (e.g., Nigeria, Bangladesh, Ethiopia)

• Highlight challenges related to basic infrastructure deficits, informal settlements, and urban poverty.
• Call for increased international financial and technical assistance to meet SDG 11 targets.
• Emphasize the need for capacity building in urban governance and planning.
• Advocate for inclusive policies that address the needs of vulnerable urban populations, including migrants and slum dwellers.

4. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Climate-Vulnerable Countries (e.g., Maldives, Fiji, Caribbean states)

• Prioritize urban resilience to climate change impacts such as sea-level rise and extreme weather.
• Advocate for enhanced disaster risk reduction and adaptation financing for urban areas.
• Stress the importance of sustainable coastal urban development and ecosystem-based approaches.

Past UN Action

• Resolution 70/1 (Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development): Established SDG 11 and set the global framework for sustainable urban development.
• Resolution 66/288 (The Future We Want): Emphasized sustainable cities and human settlements as key to sustainable development.
• Resolution 71/256 (New Urban Agenda): Endorsed at Habitat III in 2016, this agenda provides a global strategy for sustainable urbanization aligned with SDG 11.
• Annual ECOSOC coordination segment reports: Regularly address progress and challenges in implementing SDG 11, focusing on urbanization trends and policy responses.
• UN-Habitat’s World Cities Report series: Provides data-driven insights and policy recommendations on urban development challenges worldwide.

Questions a Resolution Should Answer

1. How can ECOSOC strengthen international cooperation to support developing countries in achieving SDG 11 targets related to affordable housing and basic urban services?
2. What measures can be promoted to improve urban resilience to climate change and natural disasters, particularly in vulnerable cities?
3. How can informal settlements be integrated into formal urban planning frameworks to enhance inclusivity and reduce urban poverty?
4. What role should technology and data play in fostering sustainable urban governance and smart city development?
5. How can financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships and multilateral development banks, be optimized to support sustainable urban infrastructure?
6. What strategies can be adopted to ensure equitable access to sustainable transport and reduce the environmental impact of urban mobility?
7. How can ECOSOC facilitate knowledge-sharing and capacity building among member states to improve urban planning and management?

Further Reading

• UN Documents: Official reports from UN-Habitat (e.g., World Cities Report), ECOSOC annual reports on sustainable development, and General Assembly resolutions related to urbanization and SDG 11 provide authoritative data and policy frameworks. These documents offer insights into global progress, challenges, and normative guidance on urban sustainability.

• Think-Tank Reports: Research and policy analyses from institutions such as the Brookings Institution, the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), and the Urban Institute focus on urbanization trends, innovative urban policies, financing models, and social inclusion strategies. These provide critical evaluations and case studies relevant to SDG 11 implementation.

• News Outlets and Specialized Media: Reputable international news sources (e.g., The Guardian, Al Jazeera) and urban development-focused platforms (e.g., Cities Today, Urbanet) cover current events, emerging challenges, and innovations in urban planning and sustainability. These sources help contextualize UN efforts within broader socio-political developments.

This background guide aims to equip delegates with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding urbanization and the global efforts to realize SDG 11. The 2025 ECOSOC session offers a vital opportunity to advance coordinated international action toward sustainable, inclusive, and resilient cities.