By Mariela Angella Oladive
Busan, Baguio, and Kuala Lumpur were top winners at the SDG City Awards held during the 44th Executive Committee Meeting of CityNet at the Iloilo Convention Center on Tuesday, Nov. 19.
The awards highlighted innovative urban development strategies aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Deullak Nallak: Busan’s Vision for Children
Busan, South Korea, took first place for its Deullak Nallak Children’s Cultural Complex, which provides inclusive and creative spaces for children.
Hwang Young Ha, Director of Busan Metropolitan City, said the project repurposes idle city spaces into enriching environments for children.
“We are now making these spaces at the city hall and other related organizations in Busan, creating future playgrounds for our children,” Hwang said.
Deullak Nallak, named after a Korean phrase symbolizing the carefree nature of childhood, converts public libraries and old buildings into child-friendly areas.
The initiative prioritizes inclusivity by offering digital and artistic learning opportunities for digitally marginalized children.
These spaces, located within walking distance of residential areas, ensure accessibility for all children, regardless of socio-economic background.
Mapping Urban Resilience: Baguio’s Digital Innovation
Baguio City, Philippines, earned second place for its “Mapping Urban Resilience” project, which uses a Digital Twin to improve its livability index.
The Digital Twin creates a virtual model of Baguio’s infrastructure, enabling real-time data analysis and scenario planning.
This tool helps the city manage urban growth, address climate challenges, and enhance disaster resilience.
The project integrates data from Baguio’s 128 barangays, allowing targeted interventions and data-driven urban planning.
Baguio’s efforts position it as a leader in using technology for sustainable urban management.
1 Community 1 Recycle: Kuala Lumpur’s Waste Management
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, secured third place with its “1 Community 1 Recycle” initiative.
This program enables low-income residents in public housing to pay rent through recycling.
Residents collect recyclable materials, exchange them for points, and redeem those points for rent or goods at community kiosks.
The initiative promotes recycling, eases financial burdens, and fosters inclusivity and sustainability.
CityNet Expands SDG City Awards
CityNet Secretary General Vijay Jagannathan celebrated the growing influence of the SDG City Awards, which saw participation from 70 local government units (LGUs), up from 35 the previous year.
He highlighted the importance of sharing innovative practices to achieve SDGs globally.
“These are the experiences of cities that they are proud of, and the whole idea is to share these with other members,” Jagannathan said.
He acknowledged that while global SDG progress lags, cities under strong mayoral leadership are making significant strides.
“The idea is that these small points of light can ultimately spread across the entire network,” he added.
Jagannathan praised the diversity of entries, ranging from simple solutions to advanced technological innovations.
He announced that finalists in the competition would become SDG Knowledge Partners, fostering intercity collaboration.
This initiative encourages public-private partnerships and expertise sharing to support sustainable urban development.
Other PHL Cities Also Recognized
Iloilo City won the “Liveable City Award,” accepted by Acting Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon.
Makati City received the “Audience Choice Award,” presented to Mayor Abby Binay.
