Transforming cities to make them inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable is a complex task for Latin American and Caribbean small island developing states and it requires an innovative approach. The session focuses on climate change adaptation, disaster risk management, sustainable urban planning, infrastructure improvement and housing affordability.
Participants are going to discuss successful examples of SDG 11 implementation in the region, as well as the challenges and opportunities associated with the sustainable development of urban areas on the islands.
The aim of the session is to identify the challenges and solutions for creating environmentally, economically and socially sustainable urban environments which ensure a high quality of life for present and future generations, as well as creating conditions for sustainable urban development which takes into account the specificities and unique challenges of the region with a focus on long-term improvement in the quality of life and the preservation of natural and cultural heritage, maintaining social equity and inclusiveness.
Facts and problems
Facts
By 2050, about 68% of the world’s population will live in cities, which produce about 75% of all greenhouse gases, highlighting the need to implement sustainable practices to maintain and normalise the ecological environment.
More than 1 billion people live in slums without access to basic services such as water and sanitation.
Rapid urbanization results in increasing the population of cities and the pressure on infrastructure.
Questions for discussion
Most effective strategies for Caribbean and Latin American cities’ adaptation to climate change and sea level rise.
Measures to provide affordable and quality housing in the context of increasing urbanisation.
Modernising urban infrastructure to improve resilience and quality of life.
Effective approaches to natural disaster management and early warning systems for the Caribbean and Latin America.
Social and economic inequalities in Caribbean and Latin American cities.
Measures to preserve cultural and natural heritage in the context of urbanisation and tourism development.
Financial and technical resources for the successful implementation of SDG 11 in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Waste and recycling management in Caribbean and Latin American cities.
DK
Dmitry Kucher
Director, Department of Rational Nature Management, Scientific Centre for Research, Integrated Design and Development of Urban and Agricultural Economy, Institute of Environmental Engineering, RUDN University; Corresponding Member of the Russian Ecological Academy
HVR
Heriberto Vargas Rodríguez (Cuba)
Professor, Deputy Dean for Research, Postgraduate Studies and Internationalization, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Agriculture of Havana
Key Speakers
Topic of the report
Impact of Ecuadorian Universities on SDG 11 Implementation. The Case of Universidad Central del Ecuador
Carolina del Rocio Montero Calderon (Ecuador)
Director of Research, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Member of the Board of the Academy of Sciences of Ecuador, Professor
Topic of the report
Current and Prospective Approaches to Sustainable Management of Soil and Water Resources in Cuba
Heriberto Vargas Rodríguez (Cuba)
Professor, Vice-Dean for Research, Postgraduate Studies and Internationalization, Faculty of Agronomy, Agrarian University of Havana, Member of the Board of Directors of the Cuban Soil Society
Topic of the report
Intelligent Systems for Monitoring Urban Changes and Their Impact on Climate Change in Developing Countries, Using South American Regions as an Example
Abdel Aziz Belal (Egypt)
Director of Department, Remote Sensing and Space Science National Administration
Topic of the report
Is Tap Water Really Safe? Russia and Cuba: Exchange of Experience
Dmitriy Kucher
Director, Department of Rational Nature Management, Scientific Centre for Research, Integrated Design and Development of Urban and Agricultural Economy, Institute of Environmental Engineering, RUDN University; Corresponding Member of the Russian Ecological Academy Russia
Topic of the report
Increasing Crop Yields with Cuban Bioproducts as a Method for Improving Rural Settlements’ Viability
María Aurora Mesa Pérez (Cuba)
Professor of Microbiology, Agrarian University of Havana
Topic of the report
Current Problems and Trends in Sustainable Development of Cities in Latin American Countries
Nina Danilina
Head of the Department of Urban Development, National Research University ‘Moscow State University of Civil Engineering’
Topic of the report
Employment Service Transformation - Path to Sustainability of Latin American Cities
Oleg Startsev
Deputy Minister of Social Development of the Moscow Region
Topic of the report
Role of Nature Trails in Urban Environment Sustainability: Experience of Russia and South America
Olga Mamonova
Deputy Head of Operations, Associate Professor, Faculty of Specialized and International Education, Russian State Social University
Topic of the report
Environmentally Friendly Methods of Cultivating Grain Crops for Sustainability of Latin America’s Agricultural Regions
Chermen Khugaev
Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Altai Territory, Representative to the Standing Committee on Ecology
Topic of the report
Approaches to Sustainable Rice Production Taking into Account Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Rural Areas of Latin America and the Caribbean
Kavhiza Nyasha John (Zimbabwe)
Assistant, Department of Rational Nature Management, RUDN University
