Arabic

Professor Jacques  Ganoulis

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki ,Greece

Integrated Urban Water and Environmental Management in Coastal Areas

 Historical urban settlements and modern mega cities are mostly located in coastal areas, where environmental resources create many opportunities for transportation and socio-economic development. In the same time, intensive urbanisation and various economic activities like fisheries, agriculture, tourism and marine transportation created pressures and risks to coastal natural resources and related ecosystems. Marine pollution, drinking water scarcity and threats to marine ecosystems are becoming more frequent and are triggering tensions and conflicts within cities and also between cities and rural areas. For sustainable urban development, integrated water and environmental management is a key factor.In this presentation, based on the experience developed by the UNESCO Chair for water at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, the main concepts, tools and measures for integrated urban water and environmental planning and management are analysed and discussed. Effective policy measures as indicated by the European Union Water Framework Directive 2000/60 are also critically reviewed.