SUSTAINABALE URBAN DEVELOPMENT POLICIES AND PROGRAMS

Environmental issues are enhanced by crowding together pollution sources as it is occuring in urban areas. Meanwhile urbanization is a continuous process that comprises larger and larger proportions of population. Therefore, urban environmental management is amongst the most important challenges to be addressed by local authorities. The paper aims to provide guidance in finding the most aproppriate framework to approach this issue by presenting the most representative international and european initiatives and programs. Sustainable City Programme, the Aalborg Commitment, Local Agenda 21, and the Thematic Strategy for Urban Environment are presented as initiatives that could provide toolkits to address urban environmental management in an integrated manner that respects the principles of sustainability.