Baguio City continues to make waves in the Asia Pacific in its continuing pursuit of the sustainable development goals (SDG).
The city placed second in the 3rd CityNet UNESCAP SDG City Awards program via its innovative urban program entitled “Mapping Urban Resilience: a Digital Twin to Baguio’s Livability Index.”
The city was cited for pioneering the use of digital technology to enhance urban planning and resilience.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong welcomed the recognition saying it is a testament to the city’s commitment to creating a sustainable, inclusive and resilient city. It also affirmed the city’s status as a model for other cities striving to achieve the SDGs.
The city came in second to Busan, South Korea which took the top position with its Children’s Cultural Complex project. They were trailed by Bandung, Malaysia which placed third with its entry “Transforming the Springs Conservation Area into a Public Space.”
Aside from the major award, the city also copped the top prize in the thematic category Smart City Award again for the “Mapping Urban Resilience” case study. It shared the distinction with Subang Jaya, Malaysia for its “WhatsApp Business for City Services.”
There were 350 submissions from different countries in the Asia Pacific Region and 70 were pre-qualified. The entries were trimmed down to ten finalists and from the pool, the top three were selected.
City Planning and Development Coordinator Donna Tabangin received the award on behalf of the city government led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong during the awarding ceremony held Nov. 19, 2024 in Iloilo City.
The CityNet ESCAP SDG City Awards gives recognition to innovative urban practices of local governments to address urban challenges and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across Asia-Pacific.
These projects must align with the thematic categories of Inclusive City, Smart City, Circular City and Resilient City and were evaluated based on their innovation, leadership, implementation clarity, positive outcomes, long-term sustainability and replicability.
The panel of judges came from leading international organizations, including the CityNet Secretariat, United Nations-Habitat, United Nation Development Programme, and Habitat for Humanity.
Established in 1987, CityNet is an association of urban stakeholders committed to sustainable development in the Asia Pacific region. It is supported by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), UNDP and UN-Habitat. The network now has 150 municipalities, NGOs, private companies and research centers as members. – Aileen P. Refuerzo
