Ghent

Ghent

Ghent 2023 sustainability report Focus on Prosperity Voluntary Local Review

Insights of the Report

This is Ghent’s second consecutive VLR. This edition focuses on people, and has a unique take on the VLR format. While the first report highlighted the data for the 17 SDGs to create a baseline against to which measure progress, the second edition focuses on the city’s people—its citizens, the government, civil society, small and medium-sized businesses, educational institutions, etc. In particular, the report focuses on the five SDGs under the label of “people,” SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The report reflects the chal-lenges experienced since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and how this is affecting sustainable strategies in the city. Importantly, the report highlights that if anything, the COVID-19 pandemic reminds local actors of the SDGs motto of “leaving no one behind.”

City Profile

Ghent is the capital of the East Flanders province, in the region of Flanders, Belgium. It is the country’s third most populous city. Ghent is an important university city as well as Belgium’s third busiest seaport. Among the city’s initiatives to sustainable development, there have been remarkable efforts to encourage alternatives to the use of private vehicles. For example, the city’s centre is a fully pedestrianised (car-free area). Ghent also enjoys Europe’s largest cycling area with around 400km of cycling routes. The city also boasts two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Belfry of Ghent and the Beguinage.

The Report and more

The VLR report is available here:
Ghent 2023 sustainability report Focus on Prosperity Voluntary Local Review
Ghent 2022 sustainability report Focus on Prosperity Voluntary Local Review
The Ghent Sustainability Report 2021, Focus on People. Voluntary Local Review.
Ghent Sustainability Report 2020 Voluntary Local Review