Quantification of Sustainable Urban Development: An Analysis of SDG 11 in the European Union Countries
Purpose: This article presents a synthetic indicator assessing the implementation of SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities – in EU member states. The proposed measure enables quantitative comparisons, identification of spatial disparities, and supports strategic planning in the context of the 2030 Agenda. Design/Methodology/Approach: Hellwig’s method was employed to conduct a multidimensional comparative analysis. The indicator was constructed based on diagnostic variables including the share of public transport in passenger traffic, housing deprivation, exposure to noise, road traffic fatalities, premature deaths caused by air pollution (PM2.5), and perceived exposure to crime or vandalism. The analysis covered the years 2013, 2020, and 2023, allowing the identification of long-term changes as well as the assessment of disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings: The synthetic indicator made it possible to rank EU member states in terms of SDG 11 performance. In 2023, the highest scores were achieved by Ireland, Denmark, and Sweden, while the lowest were recorded in Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Latvia, and Portugal. The results reflect the combined effect of the analysed variables and reveal significant differences in the level of sustainable urban development across Europe. Practical implications: The indicator serves as a tool for policymakers, urban planners, and EU institutions, enabling the monitoring of progress towards the 2030 Agenda, supporting decisions on resource allocation, and identifying priority areas for intervention. It can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of EU policies. Originality value: The article proposes an empirical, measurable, and integrated approach to assessing sustainable urban development. The synthetic indicator allows for international quantitative comparisons, deepens the analysis of spatial disparities, and enriches the methodology of urban policy research in the EU.