A territorial approach to the Sustainable Development Goals in Kitakyushu, Japan
Over the past decades, the city Kitakyushu, located in the southwest of Japan, has
transformed from a manufacturing hub into a city putting strong emphasis on sustainability.
The city has developed an SDG-based vision, which outlines the city’s main sustainable
development targets and actions and sets up a governance framework with a strong focus
on citizen participation and private sector engagement. Several local development
challenges remain, including population decline, an ageing society and the lack of
attractive job opportunities. The SDGs provide a framework to address those challenges
in an integrated way. As reflected in Kitakyushu’s Voluntary Local Review and participation
in the SDGs Future City initiative, 17 actions shape the local vision to foster sustainable
development through, in particular, the transition to low-carbon energy production
and a circular economy, female empowerment, inclusion of vulnerable groups and international
cooperation.
Published on June 29, 2021
In series:OECD Regional Development Papersview more titles