Achieving SDGs through Public Participation in Spatial Planning and Urban Governance: International Standards for Effective Implementation

Human settlements are deeply founded on civic engagement through the involvement of stakeholders, citizens, and the public. This entails creating a sense of belonging, prioritizing safe, inclusive, accessible, and green public spaces, and enhancing social interactions, cultural expressions, and political participation. It also involves fostering social cohesion, inclusion, and security in peaceful and pluralistic societies that meet the needs of all, especially the most vulnerable. However, despite the institutionalization of participatory planning in urban governance processes over several decades, doubts are growing about the rhetoric and effectiveness of the experiences implemented and their transformative and empowering nature. This paper examines the capacity of existing norms and tools to renew public participation and establish a meaningful and fruitful connection with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The paper emphasizes the need to articulate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a more accessible and actionable manner for policymakers, urban practitioners, and a broad range of urban stakeholders. It explores the actual contribution and the potential for improvement of international standards in supporting regional and local governments in effectively implementing the SDGs through inclusive processes of public participation. Moreover, these standards establish a common language, set expectations, enable monitoring of processes and outputs, and facilitate the dissemination of best practices and achieved results. The aim is to scale up and accelerate the sustainable and resilient development of cities and communities.