[ ANALYTICS ]
MOSCOW , RUSSIA JOHANNESBURG , SOUTH AFRICA
Population : 13.1 MILLION Gross Regional Product : $ 280 BILLION City mayor : SERGEI SOBYANIN
Population : 6.3 MILLION Gross Regional Product : $ 139 BILLION City mayor : DADA MORERO
In accordance with the UN ’ s SDGs , Moscow City ' s commitment to sustainability has been demonstrated through such programmes as Smart City , which focused on electronic public services and energy efficiency , and My Street , which radically improved walkability of the city centre and the quality of urban green spaces as part of a broader urban redevelopment plan . The city ' s commitment to ESG principles has translated into a variety of other programmes supporting living standards and municipal infrastructure . The Russian capital is maintaining a sustainable growth trajectory in spite of the current geopolitical challenges .
Notable SDG achievements : UN-Habitat has ranked Moscow number one in the world in terms of infrastructure development and quality of life , as indicated in its City Prosperity Index and in Moscow City ’ s official website . As noted by the ITU , Moscow had already introduced , in 2020 , over 220 different public services , making them accessible in a ‘ one-stop-shop ’ format . These services covered a wide range of needs , including utility bill payments , traffic fine settlements , medical appointments , and even some government services like passport issuance . Digital innovations support : Moscow Innovation Cluster provides over 200 forms of support to nearly 35,000 innovators registered to date .
Johannesburg is home to major industries , including finance , mining , and technology . Its strong regional and continental trade connections have established the city as a vital economic and innovation hub in South Africa .
The city ’ s urban planning focuses on increasing renewable energy use , improving energy efficiency and expanding green spaces . The Local Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan ( LBSAP ) aims to protect natural systems , improve air quality and manage water and waste more effectively .
Other programmes are designed to foster social equity , further demonstrating the city ’ s commitment to sustainability . Johannesburg also actively supports local entrepreneurship and digital transformation in sectors like fintech and e-commerce .
Notable SDG achievements : Following a Green Development Foundation initiative , Johannesburg is known for its extensive tree-planting efforts , with over 3.2 million trees planted . The Johannesburg City Parks and Zoos ( JPCZ ) manages more than 20,000 hectares of green spaces , including cemeteries , botanical gardens and nature reserves . As part of its Vehicle Emissions Control Strategy and Action Plan , the city is developing a comprehensive strategy to control vehicle emissions and improve ambient air quality .
PHOTO : NATALIA VOLKOVA / SHUTTERSTOCK
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WEJ | September 2024