ULI Advisory Panel Report on Asheville’s Resilient Recovery and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

During the week of July 27, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Advisory Services Program conducted a five-day analysis of the City of Asheville. A nine-member panel of national experts engaged with community leaders, business and government organizations, and various stakeholders to assess pathways for resilient recovery. The preliminary findings, presented on August 1 in a report titled Asheville: A Legacy in Progress, advocate for an integrated planning approach that aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Core Recommendations for Sustainable Urban Development

The ULI panel’s central vision is one of resilience, achieved through a cohesive system that integrates parks, water management, housing, equity, and the arts. This strategy directly supports a number of SDGs by promoting holistic and sustainable urban planning.

1. Integrated Planning Framework

The report urges the adoption of an integrated planning model as its foundational recommendation. This approach is critical for addressing complex urban challenges in a coordinated manner, reflecting the interconnected nature of the SDGs.

• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): This framework directly supports the creation of inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable urban environments by considering housing, public spaces, and infrastructure as parts of a single system.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Effective integrated planning necessitates multi-stakeholder partnerships, a core principle of SDG 17, to ensure cohesive action toward shared development goals.

2. Implementation of “One Water” Principles

A key recommendation is the adoption of “One Water” principles to manage water resources holistically and protect community spaces from flooding. This strategy is vital for climate adaptation and environmental protection.

1. SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): This approach aligns with Target 6.5, which calls for implementing integrated water resources management at all levels.
2. SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): By mitigating flood risk, this principle contributes to Target 11.5, which aims to significantly reduce the impact of water-related disasters.
3. SDG 13 (Climate Action): Proactive flood management is a critical component of adapting to the impacts of climate change.

3. Creation of Legacy Parks

The panel proposes the development of “legacy parks” designed to be both ecologically healthy ecosystems and vibrant cultural hubs for the community.

1. SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): This initiative supports Target 11.7 by working to provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible green and public spaces, while also protecting cultural heritage as per Target 11.4.
2. SDG 15 (Life on Land): Establishing ecologically healthy parks contributes to the protection and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity.

4. Fostering Civic Collaboration

The report emphasizes the need for robust civic collaboration, bringing together artists, residents, non-profit organizations, and government entities to work toward common objectives.

1. SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): This recommendation promotes responsive, inclusive, and participatory decision-making, a cornerstone of Target 16.7.
2. SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Such collaboration exemplifies the multi-stakeholder partnerships required to implement and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The preliminary findings from the ULI Advisory Services Panel provide a strategic roadmap for Asheville’s resilient recovery, with a significant emphasis on principles that underpin the global Sustainable Development Goals. The final, detailed report and recommendations are scheduled for publication later in the year.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article’s central theme is the resilient recovery and integrated planning for the City of Asheville, directly aligning with the goal of making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. It mentions planning for parks, water, housing, and equity.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The recommendation to embrace “One Water principles to protect community spaces from flooding” connects directly to the sustainable management of water resources.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The report’s emphasis on “Civic collaboration that brings together artists, residents, nonprofits and government to work toward shared goals” highlights the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The call for “Legacy parks that are both ecologically healthy” relates to the protection and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems within the urban environment.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.3: “By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management…” This is addressed by the ULI panel’s core recommendation for “integrated planning, where parks, water, housing, equity, and the arts are all woven together into a single, cohesive system.”
   • Target 11.5: “By 2030, significantly reduce… direct economic losses… caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.” This is relevant to the recommendation to use “One Water principles to protect community spaces from flooding” and the panel’s focus on the city’s “hardest-hit areas.”
   • Target 11.7: “By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces…” This is directly supported by the recommendation to create “Legacy parks that are both ecologically healthy and serve as vibrant cultural hubs.”

2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.5: “By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels…” The article’s mention of “One Water principles” and weaving water management into a cohesive system with other city elements is a direct application of this target.

3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” This is explicitly mentioned in the recommendation for “Civic collaboration that brings together artists, residents, nonprofits and government to work toward shared goals.”

Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article implies several indicators that could be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

1. For Target 11.3 (Integrated Planning)

   • Implied Indicator: The development and implementation of a formal integrated planning framework for Asheville. The article states the ULI vision is an “approach of integrated planning,” so the existence of such a plan would be a key indicator of progress.

2. For Target 11.5 (Disaster Resilience)

   • Implied Indicator: A reduction in the number and severity of flooding incidents in community spaces. The goal is to “protect community spaces from flooding,” so measuring the effectiveness of these protections would be the indicator.

3. For Target 11.7 (Green Spaces)

   • Implied Indicator: The number of “Legacy parks” established or enhanced that meet the dual criteria of being “ecologically healthy” and serving as “vibrant cultural hubs.”

4. For Target 17.17 (Partnerships)

   • Implied Indicator: The number of active, multi-stakeholder collaborative projects or forums established. The call for “Civic collaboration” implies that the formation of these working groups is a measurable outcome.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ashevillenc.gov