SUZHOU, China, Nov. 4, 2024 — A new UN publication on using smart technologies to plan and build fair and sustainable cities will be unveiled at the World Urban Forum (WUF12). The book’s authors will present its policy recommendations at Dusit Thani Lakeview Cairo,  Egypt on 5 November at 5:30 pm (GMT+2).

Collaborating with UN-Habitat, experts from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) in China and Seoul National University in South Korea have authored the book, titled “Monitoring Smart Inclusive Transition (SIT) Towards Equitable Urban Futures, Using the Global Urban Monitoring Framework”.

The book’s release comes at a critical juncture, with only five years remaining to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. “Despite significant efforts and resources, achieving the SDGs appears challenging,” says Dr Juhyun Lee, an assistant professor at XJTLU’s Design School and the book’s lead author.

One obstacle to reaching this goal is rapid urbanisation, as cities often become centres for systemic inequality, Dr Lee states. However, cities also tend to be hubs for innovation, which offers hope, she adds.

“Smart inclusive transition is a timely pathway and practical monitoring tool for cities to drive radical urban transformation towards equitable urban futures,” Dr Lee says.

Significantly, cities use urban SDG indicators and datasets from UN-Habitat’s Global Urban Monitoring Framework to monitor and analyse their SIT progress.

SIT analysis guides cities in using smart technologies to ensure that all citizens – regardless of ability, location, and socioeconomic status – can access, exchange, and benefit from essential services and up-to-date information. Technologies would play a crucial role in enabling diverse groups to participate in problem-solving governance.

“By adopting SIT, cities can accelerate progress on the sustainable development goals, shaping urban spaces that are truly built by and for everyone,” she says. “With the SIT approach, we may achieve SDGs sooner than anticipated.”

In addition to the presentation, the book will be on display at XJTLU’s booth, Hall 4, Academia Section of WUF12 from 4-8 November, alongside other materials under the theme “Resilient Urbanisation for Inclusive and Sustainable Development”.

The WUF, established by UN-Habitat in 2002, is one of the largest global conferences tackling the challenges of urbanisation.