Project Management for Sustainable Development: Strategies for Achieving SDG 11 in Urban Planning Projects in Cameroon

Abstract

This study explores how project management practices contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11) which aims to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable within the context of urban development projects in Cameroon. Focusing on the cities of Yaoundé and Douala, the research employs a qualitative design supported by structured questionnaires to assess stakeholder knowledge, perceptions, and barriers to SDG 11 implementation. Data were collected from 30 key informants, three urban development case study projects, and 120 survey respondents from municipal councils and private engineering firms. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (percentages and frequencies) and presented in tabular form. Demographic findings reveal that 75.7% of respondents were male, and 50% had between 5–10 years of professional experience reflecting a relatively experienced but male-dominated urban planning workforce. Results show that while practices such as stakeholder engagement and sustainability integration are increasingly applied, major barriers including funding constraints, weak policy enforcement, and technical capacity gaps persist. The study concludes that despite growing awareness of sustainability principles, institutional weaknesses continue to hinder effective implementation. It recommends enhanced capacity-building, improved governance, and stronger stakeholder collaboration to align urban development efforts with SDG 11 targets.