Belarus faces the problem of urbanization as more than 78% of the population lives in cities, with the trend increasing in the capital Minsk. While the country is making moderate progress on SDG 11 “Sustainable Cities and Communities”, the Spotlight report highlights challenges related to the energy efficiency of housing, the maintenance and inclusivity of public transportation, urban planning issues with insufficient infrastructure and the lack of stakeholder engagement. The consequences of climate change are also being felt, while economic interests often take precedence over sustainability. In their recommendations, the authors show how communicating and monitoring SDG 11 can accelerate progress towards sustainable cities and communities in Belarus.
The “Spotlight Report on SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities in Belarus” is the result of the cooperation between Belarusian experts and civic actors and Dekabristen e.V. (Germany), with support from the German Federal Foreign Office.
