The Sustainable Development Festival (22 September-8 October 2020) is the largest Italian initiative to raise awareness and mobilize citizens, businesses, associations and institutions on the issues of economic, social and environmental sustainability, and to achieve a cultural and political change that will favour the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. https://festivalsvilupposostenibile.it/2020
The event "Sustainable development of cities and ecosystems: the protections in place and those in progress" took place on 28th of September and was one of the many sessions of the festival; 7 the initiatives presented, RU:RBAN was one of them.
The United Nations has set 2030 for the implementation of more just, inclusive and environmentally friendly policies, with the aim of stimulating politicians and administrators, through discussion, dialogue and effective proposals, to find possible solutions related to growth and respect for rights. The speakers of this event addressed some of the issues proposed by 2030 Agenda with particular attention to goals 11, 15 and 6 and to urban development processes. Land consumption, reduction of pollution, eco-systemic balance of urban spaces, initiatives in favor of the community are some of the ongoing challenges that require careful consideration.
The meeting aimed to make the participants aware of the transition to eco-sustainable development that the 2030 Agenda prefigures and to speed up an ongoing course, already initiated with the establishment of parks, for the protection and enhancement of the territory. The integrated vision of development is oriented towards the future based on four pillars: economy, society, environment and institutions. This vision can be achieved by leveraging the principles of integration, training and participation.
"Sustainable cities and communities, impact on soil consumption", this was the opening theme illustrated by the representative of Seniores Italia Lazio, an association founded in 2014 to promote intergenerational solidarity, encouraging the interaction between qualified senior volunteers and communities and organizations engaged in youth development and international cooperation. The representative of the association illustrated Goal 11 of the 2030 Agenda, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, long-lasting and sustainable.
The Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) illustrated the aspects relating to Goal 15 of the 2030 Agenda: protect, restore and promote sustainable use of the terrestrial ecosystem, manage forests sustainably, combat desertification , stop and reverse land degradation and stop the loss of biological diversity, introducing the concept of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN - https://www.isprambiente.gov.it/it
Q&A srl (https://www.qeasrl.it/ ), a company made of professionals that provide consulting and training services for Quality, Environment, Social Responsibility and Food Safety, illustrated the aspects relating to Gol 6 of the 2030 Agenda: clean water and sanitation, guarantee the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation facilities for all. The goal by 2030 is to expand international cooperation and build the capacity to support developing countries on water and sanitation matters, including water collection systems, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, technologies for recycling and reuse. Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.
It is in this context that RU: RBAN fits into the theme of the meeting: an integrated and sustainable development model of the degraded areas of our cities that is attentive to the social, cultural and economic components (self-sufficiency, fight against the economic crisis) of the urban context in which our urban gardens are implemented.
