Last year, seventeen new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were released. They were designed to replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which ran until 2015. These will help to shape the global agenda between now and 2030, setting 169 targets covering everything from ending poverty to reducing inequality.
The SDGs have a broad focus on improving quality of life in countries all around the world, creating healthier environments and improving satisfaction for the people who live in them. Achieving these aims will require an incredible amount of effort from numerous stakeholders. It will be interesting to see how much progress is made over the next 14 years.
One of the goals will have a significant impact on the world of architecture and could bring massive changes to the sector. Goal 11 is about sustainable cities and communities and has ten targets, including ensuring everybody has access to safe, affordable housing by 2030 and reducing the environmental impact of cities. The goal could change how we look at urban planning, building materials, sustainability and inclusion.
The focus on cities comes because of the continued rate of urbanisation and the population growth around the world. It is anticipated that the number of people living in urban areas will outnumber those in rural ones by 2050. If work begins now the cities of the future can be prepared for this and ensure they are suitably equipped.
Architects play a leading role in how cities are shaped and develop. They can help to push development in the right direction, helping to promote sustainable designs, building and urban planning. In fact, this has already happened in a number of settings, showing that the sector is already looking far ahead to the future. Architecture has a vital role to play in achieving the goal of happier cities and healthier people.
Prominent buildings have perhaps the most important role to play of all. Although there are a much smaller number of them, they provide a huge amount of inspiration and show what can be achieved. When architects see a prominent structure that is sustainable, enriches the lives of inhabitants and features a stunning design they will be inspired to use similar ideas in their designs.
As qualified architects in London we have a great appreciation for the part we play in improving quality of life for many people. We work hard to deliver designs that are beautiful, sustainable and provide real benefits for their inhabitants. We instil these same ideals into all of our designs, whether they are for public buildings, commercial properties or residential architecture.