Data, Policy and Strategy – City of Oakland, CA (.gov)

Report on the Lakeshore Avenue Safety Project and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Publication Date: July 25, 2025

Subject: Commencement of the Lakeshore Avenue Safety Project in Oakland, California. This report details the project’s objectives and its direct contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Project Overview and Context

The City of Oakland has initiated construction on the Lakeshore Avenue Safety Project. This infrastructure initiative is a direct response to a fatal traffic incident in 2023 that resulted in the death of a four-year-old child. The project is located adjacent to Lake Merritt and includes the commemorative renaming of a section of the avenue to the “Maia Correia Memorial Bikeway.”

Alignment with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The project is fundamentally aligned with the objectives of SDG 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities, and older persons. The project directly addresses this by implementing comprehensive safety improvements and creating dedicated infrastructure for cyclists.
• Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible, green, and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons, and persons with disabilities. The improvements enhance the safety and accessibility of the public space around Lake Merritt for all community members.

Contributions to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The safety enhancements and promotion of active transport are central to achieving SDG 3, which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

1. Target 3.6: By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents. The project’s primary goal is to prevent future fatalities and injuries, directly contributing to this critical public health target.
2. Promotion of Active Lifestyles: The creation of the Maia Correia Memorial Bikeway encourages cycling and walking, which are key components of a healthy lifestyle, reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases.

Broader Sustainable Development Implications

The Lakeshore Avenue Safety Project serves as a model for urban development that integrates multiple sustainability objectives.

• SDG 13: Climate Action: By creating safer and more appealing infrastructure for cycling and walking, the project encourages a shift away from fossil-fuel-dependent vehicles, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

Based on the article, the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Detailed Explanation

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   This goal is relevant because the “Lakeshore Ave Safety Project” is a direct response to a fatal road traffic accident where a “4-year-old child was killed.” The project’s primary aim is to implement “comprehensive street safety improvements” to prevent future injuries and deaths, thereby promoting the health and well-being of the community’s residents, especially vulnerable road users like children.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   This goal is addressed through the project’s focus on improving urban infrastructure to create a safer and more sustainable city. The article mentions the creation of the “Maia Correia Memorial Bikeway,” which points to the development of sustainable transport infrastructure (cycling paths). This initiative makes the city’s transport systems safer and more accessible, which is a core component of building sustainable communities.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

The article’s content points to the following specific targets under the identified SDGs:

• Target 3.6: By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents.
• Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, including women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons.

Detailed Explanation

1. Target 3.6

   The entire project is premised on improving road safety in a location where a fatal traffic accident occurred. The article states the project will bring “comprehensive street safety improvements” specifically because a child was “killed” there. This directly aligns with the objective of Target 3.6 to reduce deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents.

2. Target 11.2

   The project focuses on creating a “Memorial Bikeway” and enhancing street safety. This action directly supports the goal of providing “access to safe… and sustainable transport systems for all.” The tragic event involving a 4-year-old child underscores the project’s “special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations,” specifically children, as mentioned in the target’s text.

Implied Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article implies the following indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator 3.6.1: Death rate due to road traffic injuries.
• Indicator 11.2.1: Proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport, by sex, age and persons with disabilities.

Detailed Explanation

1. Indicator 3.6.1

   The article explicitly mentions that a “child was killed” in a traffic incident. This fatality is the exact data point measured by Indicator 3.6.1. The success of the “Lakeshore Ave Safety Project” would be measured by a reduction or elimination of deaths and injuries in this area, thus lowering the death rate due to road traffic injuries.

2. Indicator 11.2.1

   The creation of a “Memorial Bikeway” is a direct improvement to the local transport system. While a bikeway is not public transport in the traditional sense, it is a key component of sustainable transport infrastructure. This project improves the safety and accessibility of a transport option (cycling) for the local population. Therefore, it contributes to the overall goal measured by this indicator, which assesses access to sustainable and convenient transport options for all, including vulnerable groups like children.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: oaklandca.gov