SDG monitoring framework for rural settlements mapping interactions with the Spanish Urban Agenda

Abstract

2023 is the midpoint between the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 target date. Therefore, the scope must be effectively addressed because time is running out. Alignment with local agendas gives rise to the incorporation of measurable indicators since the relevant data are more closely linked to the territory itself. Currently, the Spanish Urban Agenda (AUE) is the only one that includes standards for municipalities with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants. Thus, its alignment is mainly focused on achieving SDG outcomes in rural settlements. Consequently, the aim of this paper was to understand the trade-offs, integrating the AUE into the “5Ps" of the SDGs and the “3 pillars” of sustainable development to have a decision-making tool. In this way, the descriptive local data of the AUE are used as indicators for the diagnosis of the SDGs. The methodology applied is the scientifically validated “RMap” methodology, consisting of knowing the context of the reference sources and locating the synergies of linkages. The main result is the SDG monitoring framework based on the AUE, with specific standard values for rural settlements, suitable to carry out voluntary local reviews (VLRs) for governments that until now, had no official reference data. © 2023 The Author(s)