ABSTRACT
Countries across the world are marked by enormous differences in their state of development. Yet, despite their different starting points, governments of all UN member states have pledged to converge to the attainment of the 10 targets of SDG 11 by 2030. While this comprehensive convergence to SDG 11 targets is certainly not going to happen across the world, it is worthwhile enquiring: what is the current state of our knowledge on policy designs to move towards them? Chapter 2 provides some insight into these questions through a critical review of peer-reviewed articles. Our findings indicate that almost 50% of the literature does not address any SDG target in particular; SDG 11.6 has attracted the maximum attention while SDG 11.c to aid least developed countries, the least work. Moreover, most of the articles on policy design propose (largely untested) ideas for policy improvement. There is very little in-depth analysis of past policy implementation. The favoured instrument for improving planning is better data governance. Recognition of complexity, synergy creation and the need for stakeholder engagement does not match work on the integration of these elements. Hence, more research needs to be done to contribute usefully to better policy designs.
