The intersection of SDG GOAL 11 and the UN Human Rights Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (“CRPD”)

Goal 11 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development goals is to:

“Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”

The United Nations (UN) has identified sustainable transport as a critical core component of Goal 11.

World leaders recognized unanimously at the 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio +20) that transportation and mobility are central to sustainable development.

Sustainable transportation can enhance economic growth and improve accessibility.

Sustainable transport achieves better integration of the economy while respecting the environment. improving social equity, health, resilience of cities, urban-rural linkages and productivity of rural areas.

So how does SDG Goal 11 intersect with the UN’s convention on the rights of persons with disabilities?

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There are several areas where they overlap.

• Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable: the right of persons to an adequate standard of living for themselves and their family, including adequate housing must be realised (CRPD article 28);
• persons with disabilities must be afforded personal mobility in the manner and at the time of their choice and at affordable cost (CRPD article 20);
• safe cities and settlements must ensure protection from violence (CRPD article 16);
•  the environment and public transport must be accessible on an equal basis with others in urban and rural areas (CRPD article 9); 
• participatory planning and management must be respected (CRPD article 4); Articles 5, 6, 7, 11, 31 and 32 also apply. [Source]

What does all this mean in practical terms and how can we ensure we work towards meeting both UN SDG No.11 AND the CRPD?

• A large percentage of the world’s population living in urban spaces which creates an increase in demand for parking 
• Governments want to form liveable cities and are facing issues such as air pollution, traffic congestion and unattractive/safe cities 
• We need to utilise our existing resources to limit issues said above, and make urban amenities more accessible 
• We can do this with the application and integration of digital industries and infrastructure [Source]

So what type of solutions can we implement in real-terms to mobilize our cities towards achieving these UN and CRPD goals?

• Mobility-on-demand:
  • easier to access vehicles
  • suitable for those with a disability or the elderly, as they will have the reassurance that they will have a parking space 
• Reduce congestion from people trying to find parking bays by identifying them and creating the ability to be able to book them. This will reduce cruising time and therefore also carbon emissions, so also working towards SDG Goal No.13, Climate Action. 
• Safety and security:
  •  reduce road traffic that causes injuries, fatalities, and losses 
• Provide infrastructure that supports economic, social, and environmental benefits 
• Universal Transport accessibility
  • mobility and accessibility for vulnerable persons 
• Aspiration of personal freedom and efficiency 
• Origin to destination transport solution 
• Tackling climate change by reducing transit delays, including “cruising” for available accessible parking spots. [Source]

These are just a few of the things as individuals, as a responsible industry player in the transport and mobility sector, and as a society as a whole that we at thatsmyspot.com.au are focused on working towards.

The greater good for the sustainability of our communities and our planet. Something that we all need to incorporate into our daily lives and business practices.

If you’d like to share your thoughts on the UN SDG Goals and how we can work towards achieving them, please reach out and contact us.