Cities are home to more than half the world’s population, and while they may not always appear green, nature is woven into their foundations – in trees lining sidewalks, bees visiting rooftop gardens, and birds nesting in urban parks. This relationship between people, planet, and place is at the heart of Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11): Sustainable Cities and Communities, which calls for urban areas that are inclusive, safe, resilient, and environmentally sustainable.
This week, the City Nature Challenge (25–28 April) invites cities worldwide to document local wildlife using the iNaturalist platform. This friendly global competition highlights the biodiversity hidden in urban areas. In turn, the data gathered helps scientists, conservationists, and urban planners better understand how species are adapting (or struggling) in cities, and where interventions are most needed.
Events can enhance sustainable cities and communities
For the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) industry, whose events often take place in urban centres, the responsibility lies in how we design, manage, and influence the spaces we use. Events draw large groups of people into concentrated areas, increasing the demand on transport systems, energy grids, water supply, waste services, and public spaces. Without sustainable planning, this can contribute to pollution, congestion, and resource depletion.
But with intentional design and eco-conscious practices, events can actually enhance city life – spotlighting green infrastructure, supporting biodiversity, and strengthening community resilience.
Five ways events can support SDG 11 and urban sustainability
Below are some ways the MICE industry can align its activities to the targets and indicators of SDG 11:
1. Prioritise nature-friendly venues and infrastructure
Choose venues that incorporate green design principles such as rooftop gardens, efficient waste systems, and low-emission energy sources. Consider location carefully:
- Use central, accessible sites to minimise private transport and reduce urban sprawl.
- Select venues that protect or enhance existing biodiversity, such as those near green corridors or wetlands.
- Ask venues about their urban greening policies – from tree planting to pollinator-friendly landscaping.
Try this! Invite attendees to take part in the City Nature Challenge by logging observations of flora and fauna they spot around the venue or en route to the event.
2. Design for multi-functional, inclusive public spaces
Events can enhance public life by using and improving shared spaces like parks, plazas, and streets:
- Collaborate with urban planners or municipal departments to ensure temporary structures (marquees, stages, seating) don’t disrupt pedestrian access or local ecosystems.
- Add value by supporting upgrades to lighting, seating, or waste systems that remain after the event.
- Ensure accessibility for all members of the public, including those with disabilities or limited mobility.
3. Reduce the pressure on urban resources
Many urban centres are already under strain from overuse and underinvestment. Events should be designed to ease, not exacerbate, these pressures:
- Use local suppliers and materials to reduce the environmental impact of transport.
- Implement digital ticketing, programmes, and signage to reduce printed materials and street clutter.
- Provide water refill stations and avoid single-use plastics to prevent litter in public spaces and waterways.
Try this! The Green Database, curated by the EGF, connects event professionals with sustainable suppliers across Africa – including catering, logistics, furniture hire, stand design, and more.
4. Partner with people and uplift communities
Events can also play a positive role in creating resilient, inclusive communities:
- Partner with local NGOs, schools, artists, or social enterprises for content, entertainment, or services. Providing them with visibility and awareness in return.4
- Offer job or training opportunities for local residents.
- Run legacy initiatives that benefit the neighbourhood – such as public art, garden spaces, or community toolkits.
5. Celebrate biodiversity in the built environment
Just because an event takes place in a city doesn’t mean it should ignore nature. Events can:
- Integrate native plants, green walls, or small urban gardens into event spaces.
- Educate attendees on the importance of urban biodiversity – whether it’s insects pollinating urban farms or wetlands reducing flood risk.
- Collaborate with conservation organisations to host talks or exhibits on local ecosystems.
Shaping cities through green events
As urban populations grow and the climate crisis intensifies, the choices we make in our cities matter more than ever. Events, as temporary yet high-impact interventions in urban life, hold the power to shape how cities evolve — not only through the experiences they offer, but through the legacies they leave behind.
By aligning with SDG 11 and embracing the values of Earth Day, event professionals can design gatherings that work with, rather than against, the natural and social systems of the places they occupy.
After all, sustainable cities are not just built with concrete and steel — they are co-created through the actions of people who care, collaborate, and choose to do things differently.