2021-23 | seminars and workshops, a learning platform of the SDGs and its relevance in urban design

Adopted by the United Nations in 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) is a framework set out to envision a better world. While it is conceived from a (inter) national policy perspective, its implementation relies on localisation efforts where architecture and urban design play an important role. With the common vision towards a sustainable and resilient environment, the SDGs have become essential knowledge for design students and practitioners in the field. The 17 goals encompass the breadth of global social issues, described in the 169 targets and 257 indicators. This vast scope of knowledge is often difficult to digest and apply to individual design, therefore this project aims to dissect the SDGs beyond the colourful icons, to help students and interested reader to gain a deeper understanding and discuss how the design of the built environment can contribute to archiving these goals.

Key outputs and activities:

• 2021 Oct: pilot session (urbd5703)*
• 2022 Feb: 1st workshop with Sian Wynn (arch1002)*
• 2022: launch urbdxsdg.hk case study database website*
• 2022 Nov: 2nd workshop with Fernando Ortiz-Moya (urbd5703)
• 2023 Feb: 3rd workshop (arch1002)
• 2023: publish “Mapping SDG for Urban Design” Learning resource & workshop toolkit
• 2023 Nov: seminar presentation and workshop (arch5721)
• 2024 Sep: seminar presentation and workshop (arch5721)

* supported by CUHK Courseware Development Grant 2019-2022

Mapping SDG for Urban Design — Workshop Toolkit <link>