Localizing SDGs at urban micro-scale: a comprehensive assessment tool for project decision makers

This paper highlights the need for effective tools to assess the impact of small-scale urban transformations on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With less than five years remaining until the 2030 Agenda, the localization of the SDGs has become crucial for translating global objectives into actionable strategies at the local level. However, most existing assessment tools operate at broad urban scales, often overlooking the nuances of neighbourhood-level dynamics. Moreover, they tend to focus narrowly on Goal 11 or a limited subset of the Goals. To address this gap, we introduce an innovative assessment tool, developed by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture at the University of Cagliari, in collaboration with the Sardinia Region and supported by the Italian Ministry of Ecological Transition. The tool leverages Geographic Information System (GIS) technology and integrates diverse data sources to deliver detailed spatial analyses of sustainability indicators aligned with the SDGs. Its distinctive feature to visualize the localized impacts of neighbourhood interventions foster transparency, inclusivity, and informed decision-making, encouraging active stakeholder engagement. Though a case study application, this paper demonstrates the tool’s potential to support a comprehensive, community-centred approach to sustainable urban development, advancing the localization of the SDGs from vision to practice.