Page 79 - International Standards to Shape Smart Sustainable Cities: The Case of Moscow

Implementing ITU-T International Standards to shape Smart Sustainable Cities - The case of Moscow

There are other areas for actions that are recommended for Moscow and aspiring smart
sustainable cities:

Voter participation

SDG Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative
decision-making at all levels.
SDG Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and
capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning
and management in all countries.
SDG Indicator 11.3.2: Proportion of cities with a direct participation structure of civil
society in urban planning and management that operate regularly and
democratically.
A high voter participation is a sign that a city’s political system enjoys a strong
degree of participation. Civic engagement and the opportunity for people to express
their own political views are basic freedom rights of effective democracies.
Engaging people in decision making improves the quality and the inclusiveness of
the decisions. It also helps improve on the existing laws and regulations.

A high percentage is desirable in a democracy because it increases the chance that
the political system reflects the will of a large number of individuals, and that the
government enjoys a high degree of legitimacy.
Many cities around the world experience low voter turnouts in municipal or local
elections. It is, therefore, important for all cities, including Moscow that reported
32% as the eligible population that voted during the last municipal election, to
encourage citizen participation and counteract any barriers citizens may face in
their voting efforts.

Gender income equity
SDG indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by
occupation, age group and persons with disabilities.
This indicator is defined as unadjusted (e.g. not adjusted according to differences in
individual characteristics or other observable characteristics that may explain part of
the earnings difference) because it gives an overall picture of gender discrimination
and the inequalities in the labour market that explain gender differences in pay. A
value of one (1) indicates equality.
A trend of closing the income gap is considered positive.
Most cities, developed and developing alike, have yet to achieve parity between
genders when it comes to income. Moscow reports a female to male income ratio of
0.73. Therefore, policies and efforts aimed at reducing the income gap between
genders is highly recommended for Moscow and all other aspiring smart sustainable
cities.

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