Page 23 - Building digital public infrastructure for cities and communities

2.1 Leveraging the SDGs for urban DPI

Entangled in a web of intricate interconnections, urbanization underscores the complex nature and
profound links between the SDGs and the DPI in urban settings. These frameworks converge on a
shared vision: creating an equitable, inclusive and fair world for current and future generations; and
ensuring that no individual or place is overlooked. The “urban” DPI, with its commitment to integrating
the principles of the GDC, serves as a crucial tool in advancing the SDGs’ transformative agenda,
particularly in the context of smart cities. By fostering collaboration and interoperability across
various domains, DPI for cities enhances the effectiveness of urban planning and development,
aligning with the broader goals of sustainable cities and communities.

Some of the linkages between the two global agendas are evident and are most clearly seen in
the inclusion of the historically first stand-alone goal on sustainable cities, SDG 11, to “Make cities
and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”. SDG 11 on sustainable cities and
human settlements is intrinsically linked to other SDGs (Fronza et al., 2023)

The synergies between the SDGs and the DPI underscore that efforts to achieve the SDGs must
work in tandem with the implementation of DPI at the local city/community scale. For example,
reducing unauthorized construction in high-risk areas to prevent natural disaster-related deaths
(SDG target 13.1) can be achieved through urban DPI implementations that provides real-time
monitoring and data analysis at the city level. Urbanized DPI implementations add additional
dimensions on the infrastructure requirements, reflecting city stakeholders’ views (e.g., the need
to mitigate flooding risks, integrating DPI with blue-green infrastructure elements, etc.). Similarly,
improving productivity and access to decent jobs (SDG target 8.3) can be supported by investments

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