Port image is often seen as negative by citizens, public bodies and NGO’s, groups of interest, enterprises, etc., although this is seldom correct. On the contrary; the port is in general very important to its surrounding area (e.g. the city), not only economically but also socially.

For this reason the Port-City Relations Working Group investigated how to improve relations between ports and local bodies in order to avoid conflicts and reduce competition in the use of available land.

Ports can find several solutions; these can be technical, legal, managerial and/or related to communication. Exchange of experiences can help Ports in their daily efforts to cooperate with Cities and citizens.

Objectives

The objectives of the Woring Group were the following:

• Help Ports to become more friendly to local community (citizens, public bodies and NGO’s, groups of interest, enterprises, etc.)
• Improve environmental image of ports
• Avoid conflicts on environmental aspects
• Reduce competition in available land
• Identify shared technical, managerial, legal and communication solutions

Focus of “case studies”

This Working Group focused on specific Case Studies on environmental aspects which directly hurt citizens (citizens related environmental aspects), such as noise, smell, traffic, dust, better than soil pollution or wastes. Solutions sought were technical, legal, managerial and based on good communication practices.

If you have an example of a good practice solution in this area that you would like to share, please contact the EcoPorts Foundation Secretariat (foundation@ecoports.com).

> click here to learn more about Port-City related solutions