(English) In this insightful exchange, Aman Sachin Kujur from St. Xavier’s College in Ranchi, India, and Vinícius Almeida de Melo from Universidade Católica in Recife, Brazil, delve into Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. They share their experiences and challenges related to urban sustainability in their respective cities, discussing issues like waste management, social inequality, and the role of technology in fostering sustainable development. Their thoughtful dialogue highlights the power of cross-cultural collaboration and the vital role young people play in shaping the future of our cities.
Letter 1
Hello Vinícius Melo, I hope you are doing well.
My name is Aman Sachin Kujur, and I’m writing to you from St. Xavier’s College in Ranchi, India. I am currently in 2nd semester majoring in Physics. It’s exciting to be connected with you through the Global Pen Friends project, especially as we’ll be exploring the complexities of Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
The concept of sustainable cities feels like a constant negotiation in India, and my experiences across different locations have given me a unique perspective. Last December, I visited Odisha, a state known for its rich cultural heritage and stunning coastal beauty. While in Puri, the vibrant energy of the city was palpable. However, the sheer volume of tourists also highlighted the strain on resources like waste management. The sight of plastic littering the beaches was a stark reminder of the challenges urban environments face.
Back in Ranchi, where my college is located, the situation is different. It’s a city experiencing rapid growth, and the need for responsible infrastructure development and sustainable practices is becoming increasingly evident. While I enjoy the slower pace of life compared to larger metropolises, concerns about waste disposal and resource management are ever-present.
Even in my hometown, Gumla, offers a glimpse into a different kind of urban environment. While it’s a small town with a strong sense of community, concerns about responsible waste disposal and sustainable practices are still absent. These experiences concern me and would want to know about how cities across the globe are tackling similar issues.
What does a sustainable city look like in Brazil? Does your hometown face the same challenges of balancing growth with environmental responsibility? I’m particularly interested in learning about initiatives underway in Recife or other Brazilian cities. Are there green spaces being integrated into urban planning? How are communities working together to create a more sustainable future? Sharing your experiences would be incredibly valuable.
On a personal level, I find the concept of smart cities fascinating. The idea of utilizing technology to optimize resource management, improve public transportation, and reduce pollution seems like a potential solution for the future. Even Ranchi is having rapid development under the smart city program. Do you think smart city solutions hold promise for the future of urban living in Brazil?
This exchange, I believe, is an opportunity for us to learn from each other’s perspectives and broaden our understanding of this crucial SDG. I'm eager to hear your thoughts, Vinícius.
Here are some questions that came to mind as I wrote this letter:
- Can you describe a specific example of a sustainable practice or initiative being implemented in your city?
- What are some of the biggest challenges your city faces in achieving SDG 11?
- In your opinion, what role do young people like us play in shaping the future of our cities?
I look forward to your reply, Vinícius. Until then, all the best from Ranchi!
Sincerely,
Aman Sachin Kujur
Letter 2
Hello Aman Sachin, nice to hear from you! I am doing well, how about you? My name is Vinícius Almeida de Melo, and I’m writing to you from Universidade Católica in Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil. I am an Architecture student currently in my 7th semester. I am very enthusiastic to be participating in the Global Pen Friends and for having you as my pen pal! Looking forward to exploring the complexities of Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
First, I would like to ask you, why did you choose Physics? From where I come from, that’s not quite usual, and for me, it seems a very particular and hard task. As an Architecture and Urbanism student, sustainable cities are something that has been always present in my discussions and studies. I liked to hear from you that you visited Odisha, as I am very interested in heritage, it seems a very beautiful city with all the ancient temples, especially when they are combined with nature and natural geological formations, and the coastline of the city looks very interesting as well, too bad that you willremind it with a lot of plastics spread all over the beach.
In my city specifically, we don’t have that much trash on the beaches, which I think is the only place people exceptionally respect it, and because we have very dedicated workers who collect the city’s trash. I am aware that this is a work that must exist, but despite the nobility of this work, and the bravery of the collectors, at some point, that can be in some way not that good, because people kind of get used to it instead of creating the mindset of taking care of their own trash, and when they are not throwing trash onto the beaches, they are throwing somewhere else, I can see while walking or cycling, very impolite people always throwing trash on the streets, from the window of the buses, on the sidewalks, and a lot of other places and that is a very sad and unfortunate thing.
Luckily, my city doesn’t have dumping grounds anymore, and 75% of cities in Pernambuco already are disposing of waste in landfill sites. We do have recycling campaigns, but I am pretty sure that this should and could be way more intense, because in my city, people aren’t that polite, and that concerns me a lot. In my opinion, that’s the first thing the government should look for, to provide not only better infrastructure, but to educate people, because that is what shall bring more conscience and this sense of community, because differently from what you mentioned from your hometown, it seems here that it is every man for himself, but of course, only if they are planning to reduce the environmental impact caused by poor waste disposal management, which is outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11).
As you may have heard before, the social inequality in Brazil is huge, especially when it comes to Recife, which until 2022, it was the 2nd most unequal capital in Brazil. Balancing growth with sustainable practices and environmental responsibilities is challenging, even if it’s small steps, it is happening in my country. First, we must have government support, and we do not always have that, and when we have, it’s not very efficient. But I can also say good words about it, I can name you a specific project in my hometown, which is Parque Capibaribe, a project that values the most important river that runs through the city, and the guidelines for it is to create a linear park along its path, econnecting the people and the city with the river which including it was, a quite important river at some point in Recife’s history and it has been forgotten with time. The project envisages the creation of green spaces, improvements in public lighting and restoration of the sidewalks and surroundings, creation of public and urban facilities, with urban furniture, playgrounds for the children’s, places for rest and contemplation, and on some days of the month, events also take place, for example a handicraft fair, which connects many people from different social classes, which is a good thing if we want to eradicate those differences and to support social and environmental relations, also stated on SDG 11.
We have many challenges we must deal with to achieve SDG 11, which I will point out three of them to you. My city is struggling a lot with inequality and social exclusion, where certain groups, such as low-income communities or marginalized populations, lack access to basic services, economic opportunities, and public spaces.
Effective urban governance and planning are essential for addressing the complex challenges facing cities. This includes promoting participatory decision-making processes, strengthening institutions, and integrating sustainability principles into urban policies and regulations.
My city is very vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, for example the rising sea levels, and heatwaves. Building resilience to these challenges requires investment in infrastructure, adaptation strategies, and community preparedness.
From my standpoint, young people like us have a very important role, because many of them are actively involved in social and political issues that affect their communities. They not only organize protests, campaigns and initiatives to push for positive changes in public policies and city governance, but they often bring a fresh and innovative perspective to urban challenges. They are more open to new ideas and technologies, which can drive innovation in areas such as transportation, housing, energy and sustainability.
Therefore, young people are not only the future leaders of our cities, but they are also agents of change in the present, contributing ideas, energy and passion to create more vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities.
I’m very curious to know your opinion about what I wrote, and I also prepared some questions for you:
- Can you tell me about any specific sustainable practices or initiatives that are being implemented in your city or region?
- Are there any notable landscape or urban development projects in your city that prioritize environmental sustainability or community engagement?
- Are there any traditional or cultural practices in your region that contribute to sustainability or environmental conservation?
Looking forward to your reply!
Kind regards,
Vinícius Almeida de Melo
Letter 3
Dear Vinícius,
It was fantastic to hear back from you! I’m glad you're doing well, and I appreciate your enthusiasm for exploring Sustainable Development Goal 11 together.
You asked about my choice of Physics. Even in India, Physics isn’t the most common major compared to other fields. However, it’s not entirely unheard of either. My fascination lies in understanding the universe and how everything works, the fundamental laws that govern our reality. This curiosity, combined with my primary interest in the AI and tech field, led me to pursue an online degree in Data Science offered by the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) parallel to physics. The combination allows me to explore areas like AI, robotics, and even the space field in the future. Studying these fields can also contribute to research on how we can make our cities more sustainable!
Like you mentioned about Recife’s beaches, plastic pollution is a major concern across India. While some areas are more affected than others, responsible waste management remains a nationwide challenge. In Ranchi, for instance, while the rapid growth brings opportunities, it also raises concerns about proper waste disposal and resource management. Thankfully, there are initiatives underway to address these issues. The government is promoting composting projects in some communities, and there’s a growing awareness about responsible waste disposal practices.
I was particularly interested in learning about Parque Capibaribe in Recife. It sounds like a fantastic project – reconnecting people with the river through green spaces and public infrastructure. Creating such spaces that foster community engagement is crucial for sustainable urban development.
Here in Ranchi, the government is developing a few green corridors along major roads. These corridors aim to reduce air pollution and provide much-needed green spaces within the city.
While these are positive steps, there’s a long way to go. Public awareness campaigns are critical for encouraging responsible waste disposal and promoting a sense of community ownership over the city’s well-being.
Moving on to your questions:
- Sustainable Practices in Ranchi: One interesting initiative in Ranchi is the promotionof electric rickshaws as a more sustainable alternative to traditional auto rickshaws. The government is providing subsidies to encourage their adoption, and this could significantly reduce air pollution in the city center.
- Landscape Projects: As I mentioned earlier, the green corridor project along major roads in Ranchi is an ongoing initiative. This project aims to create a network of green spaces within the city, promoting cleaner air and a more aesthetically pleasing environment.
- Traditional Practices: In some rural areas of India, traditional practices like rainwater harvesting and using natural materials for construction contribute to environmental sustainability. However, these practices are not as prevalent in urban environments.
Many indigenous communities in India have deep-rooted traditions of living in harmony with nature. They practice sustainable hunting and gathering techniques, ensuring the health and longevity of ecosystems they depend on.
Vinícius, your description of the social inequalities in Recife truly resonated with me. Here in India, too, we grapple with significant social and economic disparities within cities. These inequalities often translate into unequal access to basic services and green spaces. The issue of social inequality and unequal access to basic services is a problem plaguing many cities around the world, including Ranchi. It’s clear that effective urban governance and planning are essential for addressing these complex challenges. As you mentioned, promoting public participation in decision-making processes can be a powerful tool for fostering a sense of ownership and encouraging more sustainable practices.
Looking towards the future, I completely agree that young people like us have a crucial role to play. We can participate in environmental campaigns, advocate for sustainable policies, and leverage technology to develop solutions for urban challenges. Our fresh perspectives and openness to new ideas can be a driving force for change.
Here are some questions for you, Vinícius:
- Do you envision any specific technologies or advancements that could play a key role inachieving a more sustainable future for Recife?
- How can young people get involved in advocating for sustainable practices in theircities?
- Do you see any potential for collaboration between young people from different countries, like ourselves, to work on solutions for global issues like sustainable cities? I eagerly await your response and look forward to continuing this insightful exchange with you.
Thank you once again for your insightful contributions to this program. I've learned a lot from you, Vinícius, and I believe this experience has instilled a deeper passion for working towards sustainable urban development in both of us.
Kind regards,
Aman Sachin Kujur
Letter 4
Dear Aman Sachin Kujur,
It’s good to hear from you again! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences regarding Sustainable Development Goal 11 and your academic pursuits. Your dual focus on Physics and Data Science at IIT Madras is impressive and undoubtedly offers a robust foundation for exploring AI, robotics, and space-related fields, all while contributing to sustainable urban development. It’s fascinating how your studies intersect with environmental concerns, such as waste management in Ranchi and the broader context of sustainable city planning in India.
The initiatives in Ranchi, especially the promotion of electric rickshaws and the development of green corridors, reflect proactive steps toward reducing urban pollution and enhancing public spaces—a critical aspect of sustainable urban development. It’s encouraging to see efforts across different cities in India that align with global sustainability goals.
Your observations on traditional practices in rural India, like rainwater harvesting and sustainable resource use, highlight valuable lessons that could potentially be adapted for urban environments. Integrating such practices into city planning could provide holistic solutions to contemporary challenges.
Regarding your questions: Technological advancements for Recife’s sustainability: In Recife, leveraging technologies like IoT for smart waste management systems, renewable energy solutions such as solar panels integrated into urban infrastructure, and digital platforms for citizen engagement could significantly contribute to sustainable urban development.
Engaging young people in advocating for sustainability: Young people can engage through grassroots movements, social media campaigns to raise awareness, participating in local governance and community organizations, and advocating for sustainable policies through petitions and demonstrations.
Collaboration among young people globally: Collaboration can be fostered through international forums, joint research projects, exchange programs focused on sustainable urban development, and digital platforms for idea-sharing and project development.
Your commitment to sustainability and your insightful perspective on urban challenges are inspiring. I look forward to your thoughts on these questions and continuing our dialogue on how we can contribute to sustainable urban futures in our respective cities and beyond.
Kind regards,
Vinícius