Electricity, telephone and internet networks, roads, railways, but also water channels and pipelines: investment in infrastructure is a necessary step in the UN 2030 Agenda to enable the bulk of the world's population to access the minimum conditions thus enjoying their basic rights.
And it is infrastructure and industrial innovation that are at the center of the narrative of the fourteenth shot of BG4SDGs - Time to Change, the project to delve into the state of the art of the process of achieving the 17 goals of the UN 2030 Agenda. On this occasion, the photographer alongside the initiative - Stefano Guindani - traveled to Hong Kong to report on the situation related to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 9, which is precisely about infrastructure mirroring sustainable, innovative and inclusive industrialization.
The well-known Asian city is now home to 7.4 million and is constantly expanding. That is why the Chinese government has announced an ambitious plan in recent years to promote sustainable mobility.
Starting with rail transport, moving through the city to the construction of a 55-kilometre-long bridge. Hong Kong is now a pioneering city as demonstrated by the ambitious Smart City Blueprint divided into 6 areas of action: (Quality of Life, Environment, Mobility, People, Institutions and Economy) and 76 major projects portrayed in various ways in BG4SDGs shots.
"The 55-kilometer Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge represents a milestone in global infrastructure. In addition to connecting three major cities, it offers a tangible benefit to local people. The fact that people can travel that stretch of road in one hour instead of four is a big step forward in terms of efficiency and mobility. This improvement in significant travel time has a positive impact on the quality of life of the people involved. Recovering 3 hours per day thanks to this bridge, corresponding to 84 hours per month is a considerable gain in terms of leisure time and opportunities. The bridge is a concrete example of how infrastructure can transform a region, stimulate the economy and improve people's lives. It contributes to connectivity between cities and regions, promoting socio-economic development. Moreover, its construction required advanced technologies and innovative solutions, demonstrating the importance of innovation in the field of infrastructure," said Stefano Guindani, photographer and curator of the BG4SDGs - Time to Change project.
Among the subjects framed, the 55km-long Hong Kong Zhuhai-Macao Bridge stands out, making it the most impressive in the world not only in length, but also in innovation given the scale and layout of the sea tunnel. The work has united two major economies in Southeast Asia by bringing spaces and opportunities closer together amid the satisfaction of the millions of inhabitants in the area.
Stefano Guindani, fotografo
The 55-kilometer Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge represents a milestone in global infrastructure. In addition to connecting three major cities, it offers a tangible benefit to local people. The fact that people can travel that stretch of road in one hour instead of four is a big step forward in terms of efficiency and mobility.
