Visualizing the Philippines’ SDG 11.3.1 Status and Progress Using Open-Source Geospatial Software and Earth Observation Datasets

This paper presents the development and implementation of a web GIS-based application designed to visualize the status and progress of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Focusing specifically on SDG 11.3.1, which pertains to sustainable urbanization, we propose a prototype (accessible at https://ccgeoinformatics.github.io/sdg1131ph/) that leverages open-source geospatial software and earth observation (EO) datasets. By following the "where-when-what-how" framework of SDG visualization system development, we address the need for effective visualization methods while showcasing the potential of accessible datasets and technology in supporting sustainable development monitoring efforts across different administrative levels. We demonstrate the feasibility of the system in aiding policymakers and stakeholders in their decision-making processes toward achieving the SDGs by 2030. Additionally, our work exemplified how open-source software and EO datasets can address the challenges associated with SDG reporting, particularly in areas where both data and visualization tools are scarce or inaccessible. This paper also contributes to the ongoing discourse on SDG visualization and underscores the importance of localized analysis and visualization in understanding and addressing the challenges of sustainable urbanization using the example of the Philippines.