Cities around the world have initiated various policies to meet the challenges brought by rapid urbanisation, to address global environmental problems such as climate change, and to advance sustainability goals such as those defined by the UN 2030 Agenda. Assessing the success of these initiatives in a globally commensurable way would be a demanding task. Our main concern is that it seems unlikely that the current NUA indicators will be capable of effectively aiding cities and urban areas around the world to transform towards sustainable, socio-ecologically resilient entities with thriving economies. However, we also see opportunities for more cost-efficient and engaging ways to develop urban indicators that resonate better with local concerns while also serving international comparisons and supporting sustainability initiatives.
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