#GenerationRestoration From Brownfields and Concrete Jungles to Sustainable and Green Urban Landscapes

Sharon Gil

Moderator

November 5, 2024 | 17:00 - 18:30

SDGs in Action - room A

UNEP

Kenya

English

Reference:

SDG-A 5

WUF12

SDGs in Action

Summary

In our rapidly urbanizing world, the fate of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development depends significantly on the transformation and sustainability of urban areas. Cities consume over 70% of global resources, produce more than 50% of waste, and are responsible for 70% of CO2 emissions.
However, they are also the epicenter of climate solutions and can help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Today, cities are not only custodians of SDG 11 but act as catalysts for the achievement of all 17 SDGs due to the cross-cutting nature of urban issues. In recent years, there has been a renewed focus on the role of cities in mitigating and adapting to climate change (SDG 13), restoring the earth’s biodiversity (SDG 15), and promoting good health (SDG 3).
This event aims to showcase and discuss how cities can leverage nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration to transform degraded or underutilized spaces (brownfields), as well as highly dense built environments, into sustainable green urban landscapes.
Examples from Egypt and the 25 #GenerationRestoration cities will be presented by international experts, policymakers, urban planners, and stakeholders, who will discuss innovative solutions and best practices for scaling up actions.

Agenda
- Welcome, Agenda & Moderation (5 minutes)
Sharon Gil, Cities Lead, Climate Change Division, UNEP or Ahmed Abdulhakeim, Senior Manager, Strategic Planning & Sustainable Development (TBC)

- Opening remarks: City Action to achieve the SDGs and the Global Biodiversity Framework (10 mins):
Mr. Abdelkhalek Ibrahim - Minister Assistant for Tech Affairs, Ministry of Housing and Utilities and Urban Communities, Egypt
Ms. Claudia Hiepe - Senior Officer on Environmental Policy, BMZ Germany

- High-level panel (30 mins): Voice from City Leaders
Mr. Ulpiano Suarez - Mayor, City of Mendoza, Argentina
Mr. Khaled Abdelal - Governor, Cairo Governorate
Representative, Istanbul, Türkiye (TBC)
Governor, Kisumu, Kenya (TBC)

- Technical Panel (40 minutes): Scaling up action to deliver on #GenerationRestoration
Ms. Kobie Brand - Head of Biodiversity, ICLEI
Mr. Khaled Seddik - Executive Director, Urban Development Fund, Egypt
Mr. Simone Borelli - Urban Forestry Officer, FAO (TBC)
Ms. Carmen Vogt, Head of Global Section Cities, GIZ (TBC)
Representative, Cape Town, South Africa (TBC)

- Summary and closing (5 minutes)
Gulnara Roll, Head, Cities Unit, UNEP

Objectives

Provide a comprehensive platform for discussing the transition of urban landscapes to vibrant, sustainable green cities, fostering collaboration among international and local stakeholders to support and replicate successful brownfield revitalization projects.
Enable participants to discover successful examples of solutions that have transformed brownfields into sustainable green spaces and are improving the resilience and living conditions of people in cities around the world demonstrating social, economic, and environmental benefits.
Share best practices and lessons learned to present innovative approaches and technologies for sustainable urban planning, design, and development, including from the Generation Restoration project in different countries and Cairo's brownfield reclamation efforts.
Discuss policy frameworks, financial mechanisms, and regulatory incentives that can facilitate the transition from brown to green in urban development.
Raise awareness about the importance of sustainable urban development, brownfield reclamation, and the potential for creating vibrant, resilient, and inclusive cities.