Subject Guides: Sustainable Development Goals at NSCC: Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

About Goal 11

Goal 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities, aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. This goal targets safe and affordable housing, and affordable and accessible transportation. It also calls on cities to adopt plans for climate change mitigation and adaptation. 

Learn more about Goal 11

World Business Council for Sustainable Development. (2014, August 19). Creating sustainable cities [Video]. GreenTV. YouTube. https://youtu.be/fcDDUSUbq9A

NSCC and Goal 11

Examples of NSCC initiatives that are helping to advance Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Campus Housing	Nova Scotia is currently experiencing a housing crisis, with many students struggling to find rental vacancies. NSCC offers housing at five campus locations, with another opening in September 2025 and four more coming soon. NSCC News Story: Two new student housing facilities officially open at NSCC.
BOMA BEST	Safe and healthy buildings are a cornerstone of sustainable communities. NSCC certifies our building to BOMA BEST, a sustainable buildings certification that recognizes excellence in energy and building maintenance. One of the programs audited by the certification is our Green Cleaning program, which tracks NSCC’s usage of environmentally preferred cleaning products.
Community Engagement	Nova Scotia Community College works closely with community partners to support sustainable community developments. Throughout the winter of 2022/23 the College partnered with Engage Nova Scotia to host ten community engagement sessions on sustainable development and quality of life in Nova Scotia.

Resources and Links

Green economy
The Green Economy Report is compiled by UNEP's Green Economy Initiative in collaboration with economists and experts worldwide. It demonstrates that the greening of economies is not generally a drag on growth, but rather a new engine of growth.
How Katowice Poland went from coal city to conference hub
Katowice, a southern Polish city and one of Europe’s most populated urban areas, has undergone enormous changes in the last decades. Its shift from a coal mining city to an international hub for conferences has been so successful that it was chosen to host the 2018 UN climate conference COP24 and the 2022 UN Habitat World Urban Forum.
UNFPA: Urbanization
UNFPA works with partners in government, the UN system and civil society to advocate for the welfare and sustainability of rapidly urbanizing communities.
Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia breaks ground on first affordable housing project in Pictou County (
The Pictou County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia was formed in 2018 to address the growing need for affordable housing in Pictou County communities. On May 5, 2022, the firs project broke ground.

Books

eBook - Blueprint for Greening Affordable Housing by Walker Wells; Kimberly Vermeer
Every affordable housing project can achieve the fundamentals of good green building design and practice.
The environmental planning handbook for sustainable communities and regions by Tom Daniels
How can communities keep their air clean, their water pure, and their people and property safe from climate and environmental hazards?
eBook - Reimagining Sustainable Cities by Stephen M. Wheeler; Christina D. Rosan
A cutting-edge, solutions-oriented analysis of how we can reimagine cities around the world to build sustainable futures.

Key Organizations

ACCE Halifax
A self-funded network of young Black leaders from HRM who –individually – have roots from all the historic Black communities in HRM. Our mission is to build and sustain support in arts, community, culture and economics through initiatives like the Hidden Arts series, Black Wellness Town Halls during the COVID-19 Pandemic and, most recently, our #BuyBlackHalifax initiative
Common Roots Urban Farm
Common Roots uses gardening as a way to increase community and mental well being; and to foster greater connection and understanding of one another and the environment.
Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre
Provides structured, social-based programming for Urban Aboriginal People while serving as a focal point for the urban aboriginal community to gather for a variety of community functions and events.
Next Ride: Test Drive Electric Vehicles in Nova Scotia
A not-for-profit low carbon transportation initiative. The Next Ride team is touring the province to help Nova Scotians experience the excitement of an electric ride, and discover all the ways electric vehicles are more affordable and versatile than ever.