Sustainable Transport: How Metro Systems Drive Urban Renewal – We Build Value

The Role of Metro Infrastructure in Advancing Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Transit-Oriented Development as a Catalyst for SDGs

• Analysis of urban development in Sydney and Singapore reveals that metro infrastructure is a critical enabler for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• These case studies demonstrate how Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) serves as a strategic framework for building inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban environments in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Case Study: Sydney, Australia

• Sydney Metro’s expansion projects are foundational to urban growth strategies that directly support SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). The development acts as a grid for integrated urban planning rather than just a transport solution.

1. Integrated Urban Regeneration: The Metro City & Southwest project has facilitated targeted urban regeneration plans around its stations. This approach enhances community connectivity and supports SDG 11.3 by promoting inclusive and sustainable urbanization.
2. Sustainable Infrastructure and Public Access: Development around new stations includes pedestrian squares, cycle paths, schools, and local retail. This contributes to SDG 11.2 (access to sustainable transport systems) and SDG 11.7 (universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces).
3. Economic Growth and Resilient Infrastructure: The renewal of the Barangaroo port area, stimulated by metro accessibility, has created a new economic hub with offices and public spaces. This aligns with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by leveraging sustainable infrastructure to foster economic vitality.

Case Study: Singapore

• Singapore’s implementation of the “15-minute city” concept, built around its metro network, provides a leading model for achieving urban sustainability targets.

1. Transit-Oriented Development Mandate: Every new metro line is required to create a Transit-Oriented Development, fostering compact, service-rich neighbourhoods. This urban model is a direct implementation of principles outlined in SDG 11, reducing the need for private transport and contributing to SDG 13 (Climate Action).
2. Community Revitalization: The expansion of the Downtown Line has revitalized urban districts by introducing shaded public spaces, neighbourhood shopping centres, and a dense fabric of small businesses, supporting local economies (SDG 8) and enhancing community well-being.
3. Integrated Service Hubs: Metro stations are systematically incorporated into hubs that include libraries, gyms, clinics, and schools. This integration of public services with transport infrastructure promotes SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and ensures equitable access to essential amenities, a cornerstone of sustainable community planning.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article’s core theme is urban development centered around sustainable public transport to create better-connected, service-rich, and livable urban environments. It directly discusses “urban regeneration plans,” the “15-minute city” concept, and “Transit-Oriented Development,” all of which are central to making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The development of the Sydney Metro and the expansion of Singapore’s Downtown Line are prime examples of building resilient, sustainable, and high-quality infrastructure. The article presents the metro network as the “grid upon which the urban development rests,” highlighting its foundational role in supporting economic development and human well-being.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article connects infrastructure development to economic revitalization. In Barangaroo, the metro transformed a port area into a commercial hub with “offices, restaurants, and public spaces.” In Singapore, the metro expansion revitalized areas by introducing “neighbourhood shopping centres, covered markets, and a dense fabric of small businesses,” thereby fostering local economic growth.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all.
   • The entire article focuses on the development of metro systems in Sydney and Singapore as a form of “underground, sustainable transportation.” This infrastructure is designed to connect neighborhoods and provide the primary mode of transit for residents, directly aligning with the goal of creating accessible and sustainable transport systems.
2. Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for… integrated and sustainable human settlement planning.
   • The article explicitly describes “targeted urban regeneration plans” in Sydney and the implementation of “Transit-Oriented Development” in Singapore. These planning models, which integrate transport, housing, commerce, and services, are direct examples of sustainable and integrated urbanization. The “15-minute city” concept is presented as a successful outcome of this planning.
3. Target 11.7: Provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces.
   • The urban regeneration projects mentioned in the article led to the creation of new public spaces. Examples include “pedestrian squares,” “pedestrian and cycle paths” in Sydney, and a “promenade overlooking the bay” in Barangaroo. In Singapore, the projects introduced “shaded public spaces.”
4. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being.
   • The Sydney Metro and Singapore’s Downtown Line are described as key infrastructure projects that not only provide transport but also serve as a foundation for broader urban and economic development, stitching “together neighbourhoods that once seemed separated by vast distances” and improving overall quality of life.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 11.2 (Sustainable Transport): The development and expansion of public transport networks.
   • The article implicitly uses the existence and expansion of the “Sydney Metro” and Singapore’s “Downtown Line” as a measure of progress. The scale of these networks indicates the proportion of the population with convenient access to sustainable transport.
2. Indicator for Target 11.3 (Sustainable Urbanization): The implementation of integrated urban planning models.
   • The article points to the adoption of “Transit-Oriented Development” and the “15-minute city” concept as indicators of successful sustainable urbanization. The number of neighborhoods or cities adopting these models can be used as a measure of progress.
3. Indicator for Target 11.7 (Public Spaces): The creation of new pedestrian-friendly and public areas.
   • The article mentions the creation of “pedestrian squares, local retail, pedestrian and cycle paths” and “shaded public spaces.” The quantity and total area of such spaces developed as part of urban regeneration projects serve as a direct indicator of progress.
4. Indicator for Target 9.1 (Sustainable Infrastructure): Investment in and completion of major sustainable infrastructure projects.
   • The article highlights the “Sydney Metro — the company behind the Australian city’s metro network development” and its projects like “Metro City & Southwest” as tangible evidence of investment in and development of sustainable infrastructure.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: webuildvalue.com