Challenges of Sustainable Development of Port Cities in the Baltic Sea Region

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Challenges of Sustainable Development of Port Cities in the Baltic Sea Region. UNESCO Chairs online seminar

May 17, 12:00pm-3:00pm (Warsaw/Berlin time)

Link to the meeting: >>>

Organisers

UNESCO Chair for Social Sustainability (Szczecin, Poland)
UNESCO Chair Water, Ports and Historic Cities (Delft, Netherlands)
Aalborg UNESCO Centre for PBL (UCPBL) (Aalborg, Denmark)
UNESCO Chair of Cultural Heritage Studies (Tallinn, Estonia)

Why we meet in this seminar?

In the dynamic context of the Baltic Sea Region, port cities (still) stand as vital nodes connecting economies, and cultures. The Baltic Sea Region is undergoing a transition towards renewable energy sources to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change. However, this transition must also consider security concerns, particularly in the context of geopolitical tensions. Thus, we seek to delineate the multifaceted challenges confronting the sustainability of port cities and coastal communities, within the intersecting realms of environmental conservation and political dynamics.

Along with facing environmental difficulties, port cities and coastal communities are frequently more vulnerable to natural disasters. Social sustainability can be hard to establish and preserve when these kinds of things happen because they can cause uprooting, loss of livelihood, and disruptions to community cohesion. Researching and teaching sustainable practices can help lessen these effects and protect fragile ecosystems. We would like to use the expertise and position of UNESCO Chairs on port cities and sustainable development in this context.

Themes

Maritime heritage preservation and cultural sustainability

Sustainable Blue economy initiatives and marine resource management

Climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies

Urban planning and waterfront development

Presentations

  • Prof. Maciej Kowalewski (UNESCO Chair for Social Sustainability), Introduction and few words about sustainable futures of port cities: navigating between political and environmental threats
  • Szczecin Port Authorities, Welcoming words
  • Prof. Carola Hein (TU Delft/ UNESCO Chair Water, Ports and Historic Cities). The Port City Atlas: mapping port city territories, planning and cultural heritage.
  • Prof. Jorg Hackmann (University of Szczecin). Baltic urban networks in historical perspective
  •  Prof. Riin Alatalu, Johanna Toom (Estonian Academy of Arts/ UNESCO Chair of Cultural Heritage Studies). Urban planning and waterfront development: The challenges of development pressure and underpressure in harbour cities of Tallinn and Paldiski, Estonia.
  • Prof. Nelson F. Coelho, Aalborg University/Centre for Blue Governance. Revitalizing regional ports and city centre terminals