‘Not South Carmel’: Broad Ripple charts future with new development plan – IndyStar

Analysis of Urban Decline in Broad Ripple in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

Challenges to Sustainable Economic Growth (SDG 8)

• Recent closures of dining establishments and prolonged retail vacancies indicate a contraction in local economic activity.
• This trend directly undermines the objectives of SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, by reducing local employment opportunities and threatening the economic viability of the community.
• The decline impacts the area’s ability to foster sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.

Erosion of Community Safety and Security (SDG 11 & SDG 16)

• A 2023 triple homicide has contributed to a widespread perception of violence, deterring visitors and impacting resident well-being.
• This situation presents a significant challenge to achieving key targets within two Sustainable Development Goals:
  1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The perception of insecurity makes the urban environment less inclusive and safe for all residents and visitors.
  2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: Incidents of violence and the subsequent fear run counter to the goal of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies.

Impediments to Creating a Sustainable and Resilient Community (SDG 11)

• The combination of economic decline and safety concerns has led to significant dissatisfaction among residents, as reported in community feedback.
• This sentiment suggests a disconnect between the community’s needs and the outcomes of urban planning, including the “Envision Broad Ripple” plan initiated in 2012.
• Achieving SDG 11 requires making human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, a goal compromised by the current state of the Broad Ripple village.
• The challenges highlight a need to re-evaluate strategies for participatory planning and integrated urban development to ensure community resilience and sustainability.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article highlights issues directly connected to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on the social, economic, and safety aspects of a community.

   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article’s focus on shuttered dining establishments and vacant retail spaces points to a decline in local economic activity, business health, and employment opportunities within the Broad Ripple neighborhood.
   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The core of the article is about the decline of an urban neighborhood (“village”). It touches upon key elements of a sustainable community, including economic vitality, public safety, and the effectiveness of urban planning, as referenced by the “Envision Broad Ripple plan.”
   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The “perception of violence” and the specific mention of a “triple homicide in 2023” directly relate to the goal of reducing violence and promoting peaceful and inclusive societies. Public safety is a foundational element for community well-being and sustainability.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the specific problems mentioned, several SDG targets can be identified:

   • Target 8.3 (under SDG 8): “Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation…” The article’s description of “dining establishments have shuttered” and “retail spaces remain vacant for months on end” indicates a failure to support local entrepreneurship and maintain productive economic activities in the area.
   • Target 11.3 (under SDG 11): “By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management…” The mention of the “Envision Broad Ripple plan” from 2012, coupled with the residents’ current dissatisfaction (“pissed”), suggests that the planning and management of the neighborhood’s development have not been successful in creating a sustainable and thriving community.
   • Target 11.7 (under SDG 11): “By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces…” The “perception of violence” that keeps other Indianapolis residents away directly undermines the goal of having safe and inclusive public and commercial spaces in the Broad Ripple village.
   • Target 16.1 (under SDG 16): “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.” The explicit reference to a “triple homicide in 2023” is a direct and tragic example of the kind of violence this target aims to reduce. This event is cited as a key reason for the neighborhood’s negative perception.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   The article implies several qualitative and quantitative indicators that could be used to measure progress:

   • Indicator for Target 8.3: The article implies the use of economic health indicators. Progress could be measured by tracking the commercial vacancy rate (mentioned as “retail spaces remain vacant”) and the number of business closures versus openings (referenced by “dining establishments have shuttered”).
   • Indicator for Target 11.3: The effectiveness of urban planning could be measured by resident satisfaction surveys. The article’s statement that residents are “pissed” serves as an informal, negative indicator of satisfaction with the current state of the neighborhood and the outcomes of the “Envision Broad Ripple plan.”
   • Indicator for Targets 11.7 and 16.1: A direct indicator for measuring safety and violence is the homicide rate or the number of violent crimes. The article provides a specific data point: the “triple homicide in 2023.” Public perception of safety, mentioned as a reason people “stay away,” is another crucial, though more qualitative, indicator.

Summary of Findings

Source: indystar.com