Environmental Science and Technologies for the Management of Natural Ecosystems and the Sustainable Development of Urban Areas II

Dear Colleagues,

Urban areas stand as the forefront of a global multifaced change due to pollution, unsustainable development and unplanned growth. The rapid urbanization and the increased urban population have resulted in an unsustainable consumption of resources, the release of large waste streams similar to construction and demolition waste (CDW), as well as several environmental pressures similar to air and noise pollution and biodiversity loss. In order to deal with the material and immaterial pressures in urban environments and pave the way for sustainable development, it is important that the community focus on transdisciplinary research collaborations, shape ambitious constitutional measures, support entrepreneurial and innovative business initiatives and most importantly create and sustain environmental awareness. The circular economy and bioeconomy paradigms appear to be promising approaches towards sustainability. Circularity encourages a restorative and regenerative economy model, promoting, resource looping, recycling, reuse and reproduct of materials. Techniques similar to environmental footprinting, life cycle assessments (LCA), and ecological modeling can be used in order to identify and quantify the impact of human activity on the urban environment. 

This Special Issue aims to promote interdisciplinary work in environmental sciences and focus on the management of natural and urban systems in order to support the transition towards the sustainable development of urban areas. Researchers from a broad list of disciplines are invited to contribute with original research, case studies and comprehensive review papers in order to initiate a transdisciplinary scientific dialog, with particular emphasis on urban sustainability and circular development. Relevant topics to this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following subjects:

• Environmental footprinting;
• Life Cycle Assessments (LCA);
• Noise and soundscape assessments in the urban environment;
• Air pollution in the urban environment;
• New technologies that enable the recovery or recycling of waste for use as a resource, in order to replace the use of raw materials;
• Applications that enable the reuse of construction and demolition waste.

Dr. Yiannis G. Matsinos
Dr. Aggelos Tsaligopoulos
Dr. Demetris Francis Lekkas
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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