AUTHOR=Borghys Koen , Vandercruysse Laurens , Veeckman Carina , Temmerman Laura , Heyman Rob TITLE=Localizing the sustainable development goals in smart and sustainable cities: how can citizen-generated data support the local monitoring of SDGs? A case study of the Brussels Capital Region JOURNAL=Frontiers in Environmental Science VOLUME=12 YEAR=2024 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/environmental-science/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1369001 DOI=10.3389/fenvs.2024.1369001 ISSN=2296-665X ABSTRACT=

Introduction: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serve as the global reference framework for sustainable development endeavors. However, traditional data sources, including official statistics, fall short in effectively measuring SDG performance, due to substantial gaps in the availability of reliable, timely, actionable, disaggregated, and accessible information for policy formulation. This research explores the SDG monitoring potential of citizen-generated data to enhance local environmental in the Brussels Capital Region.

Methods: Employing a qualitative approach, the study first defines and maps essential characteristics of citizen-generated data for inclusion in environmental SDG monitoring. Subsequently, expert interviews refine these characteristics and explore design requirements tailored to the Brussels Capital Region.

Results: The research culminates in a framework linking essential citizen-generated data characteristics to design requirements, ensuring data suitability for local environmental SDG monitoring.

Discussion: This framework advances the existing literature by specifically addressing local environmental SDG monitoring through citizen-generated data. It offers practical insights for local stakeholders, particularly policymakers, aiming to overcome barriers to the uptake of citizen-generated data and ultimately enhances environmental SDG monitoring in the Brussels Capital Region. The framework’s applicability in other regions or for non-environmental SDG indicators remains a potential avenue for future research.