The Role of Heritage in Localising SDGs in the Metropolis

From Istanbul to Guadalajara, new research shows how heritage buildings can power climate action and community resilience. Here’s how cities are doing it.

In many cities, heritage is a living tool for climate resilience, inclusion, and identity.

The new Heritopolis Working Papers Vol. 2 highlights how heritage can localise the SDGs in rapidly growing metropolises:

🌊 Shanghai – Wetlands at the Yangtze estuary show how natural heritage can double as flood protection and cultural identity.

🗺️ Delhi – The 2041 Master Plan embeds World Heritage into urban governance, linking conservation with sustainable growth.

👩🏽‍🎤 Mombasa – Youth-led initiative Zamaan reframes heritage as living culture, from Sheng slang to digital creativity.

🌱 Seoul – City-level SDGs integrate heritage across jobs, sustainability, and ecosystems—not siloed under tourism alone.

The message is clear: heritage is a tried and tested an urban strategy.

It can drive climate action, strengthen social fabric, and future-proof cities where most of humanity will soon live.

Source:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/un-habitat-united-nation-human-settlements-programme-_heritopolisworkingpapersvol2pdfpdf-activity-7369400932633149441-Fu-3/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAtGGkQBsxwMBmX3lEJO8btihnfBCaHqTz4