Sustainable development and human potential: Advanced tools for practical actions

• Positions the CHPR as a practical and reliable tool for policy makers, offering strategies to optimize urban planning and maximize human potential. This practicality empowers urban planners and policy makers, providing a valuable tool to make informed decisions and drive sustainable urban development. • The CHPR provides BRICS+ cities with a strategic roadmap for achieving sustainable development goals, including improving education standards, promoting employment opportunities, developing sustainable infrastructure, and fostering innovation ecosystems. • The CHPR stands out as one of the few international city rankings that focuses on the individual, examining the interplay between education, work and technology in urban socioeconomic development. • It emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between education, the labor market, and technology, highlighting their interconnectedness and interdependence. This paper introduces the first City Human Potential Ranking (CHPR), a novel approach developed in Mexico by an international group of renowned academics. The study validates the effectiveness of the CHPR in assessing and demonstrating how BRICS+ leader cities invest in developing their population’s potential for both individual and communal well-being, aligned with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The analysis included 100 cities from 32 countries with a combined population of 5,243 million people (accounting for 65 % of the world’s population) located on four continents, underscoring the global relevance of the CHPR and the collective effort towards sustainable urban development that we are all part of. Nine thematic blocks were formed from 30 complex indicators calculated based on 150 metrics, which initially relied on 198 information units. This comprehensive approach ensures that the CHPR provides a thorough and detailed understanding of the factors influencing human potential in urban development, making the audience feel well-informed and knowledgeable about the complexities of sustainable urban development. The analysis considered two complementary aspects that characterize the role of human potential in the socioeconomic development of cities: “People for the City” and “City for the People.” The study discovered decisive links between the three axes, forming the distinct types of data sources that reflect links to the continuous advancements in education, labor (employment), and technology. To understand the city’s urban framework, the City Human Potential Ranking outlines six key elements that are believed to contribute to the success and excellence of metropolitan areas. These elements include Education and Lifelong Learning, Accessibility to Information Technology, Employment Opportunities, High Inclusivity, Intensive Innovation, and a Stable Future. This ranking is part of a broader effort to provide actionable insights and practical tools for sustainable urban development. It aims to contribute significantly to global development initiatives and realize human potential in densely populated areas, empowering us all to take practical steps towards a more sustainable future.