Springer Nature SDG Programme

SDG 11: Sustainable cities & communities

Sustainable cities and communities are essential for a sustainable future. Cities are where the majority of people live, and they are also major contributors to climate change and environmental degradation. United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 aims to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. This goal calls for action to improve urban planning and management; provide access to basic services, such as water and sanitation; reduce urban poverty and inequality; promote sustainable transport and energy; and protect and restore urban ecosystems.

This hub is a clearinghouse for research on UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, published across Springer Nature. It features selected research from Springer Nature's SN SDG logo © Springer Nature 2019journals, special issues, and cross-journal article collections, as well as selected books and book chapters. The curated research covers topics including sustainable urban planning and development, inclusive and affordable housing, sustainable transportation, and more.

Springer Nature communities

Community blogs for our authors, editors and all of the research community.

Read recently published articles and thoughts from researchers working to solve the world's grand challenges. Featured are contributions related to SDG 11. Visit the Communities page for more.

News & Insights

News, insights and advice from the Springer Nature team, and personal stories from the research community. A selection of posts from The Source - A blog providing insight and discussion on publishing in the academic world, and Springboard - Springer Nature's blog on all things open research.

Springer Nature's SDG OA Book Collection

Why publish SDG research as an open access (OA) book? 

Because OA’s enhanced and equitable visibility means that research can reach the broader audience, and findings can be translated into actionable strategy. Explore OA books that support sustainable development and learn more about publishing your book OA - including funding options.

Information for authors

Contact a publishing editor © Mitarart, iStockphotoGetting started publishing your SDG 11 work at Springer Nature is easy. Springer Nature aspires to lead in publishing SDG research, and especially in open access (OA) SDG research.

You can add impact and power to your SDG-related research when you publish it at Springer Nature, and alongside leading research (like the examples above). Research published OA at Springer Nature gets more exposure. For example, research published in fully OA Springer Nature journals are downloaded over 7,000 times on average (up to 5x more than competitors) and cited 7.39 times on average.

Publishing with Springer Nature gives you:

  • A range of journals, from Nature, Springer, and BMC, both hybrid and OA. The journals with SDG content curated above are a small selection of journals you can publish in. Clicking through on them will give you the information — including journal metrics, submission guidelines and more — that you need to plan your next submission.
  • The world’s leading scholarly book program, including the option to publish your book OA. ᐅSDG 11 OA Books
  • Support in finding funding for OA. Many funders and institutions now cover open access (OA) journal article publishing costs for affiliated researchers, as part of an OA agreement with Springer Nature. Find out more about OA agreements and whether you may be entitled to publish OA journal articles with your fees covered. The OA funding support service can help you find and access other OA publishing funds — for journal articles and books — to which you may be entitled.  ᐅOA Agreements  ᐅFunding Support Service  ᐅThe impact of OA
  • Support in writing and publishing your work — both free, including tutorials and paid research solutions services, including editing, translation, and more.  ᐅAuthor Services  ᐅResearch Solutions
  • An easy way to get started on a book. Even if it is only a germ of an idea, by filling in this form, you will be put in touch with an editor who can help you grow it into a fully formed book.  ᐅSubmit your book idea

The Sustainable Development Goals series

Discover the latest SDG11-related books published in Springer Nature’s Sustainable Development Goals Series. 
The Series features research on each of the SDGs, addressing the urgent global challenges facing humanity. The books published in the Series feature impactful contributions that support the efforts to make the SDGs a reality.

SDG 11 researchers and societal impact

New Content ItemDiscover SDG 11 researchers' attitudes towards societal impact in this downloadable infographic, part of a larger project in partnership with the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU), exploring the role of open research in accelerating progress on global societal challenges.