Wetland Restoration & Tourism Resource Efficiency & Green ...

Dr. Vasilis KANAKOUDIS Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Dept., University of Thessaly, Greece Anastasia PAPADOPOULOU PhD Cand. Civil Engineering Dept., University of Thessaly, Greece

Wetland Restoration & Tourism Resource Efficiency & Green Economy

from theory to best practice(s)

International Workshop on Tourism, Culture and Wetlands

Feb 12th-13th 2014, Tunis, Tunisia

Contents

Assist.Prof. Vasilis KANAKOUDIS Civil Eng. Dept., University of Thessaly, Greece

Wetland Restoration Experience – Sigma for Water/

Interreg IVC project

Culture,Tourism & Wetlands

Resource efficiency & green economy

From Theory to Practice

CONTENTS

A PUZZLE?


Water Ecosystem

Tourism Land

Approach Nature

W

E

Development Sustaina-

bility

T

L

A

N

D S

Karla lake restoration

Greece (3/5)


1. Evros delta

2. Lake Vistonis, Porto Lagos,

Lake Ismaris & adjoining

lagoons

3. Nestos delta & adjoining

lagoons

4. Artificial lake Kerkini

5. Lakes Volvi & Koronia

6. Axios, Loudias, Aliakmon delta

7. Amvrakikos gulf

8. Messolonghi lagoons

9. Kotychi lagoons

10.Lake Mikri Prespa

11.Rodopi, Xanthi

11

10

400 wetlands: rivers, estuaries, deltas,

lagoons, shallow lakes, shallow marine

formations, marshes.

total area: 210,000 ha

…Only In Greece

Source: The List of Wetlands of International Importance,

29 January 2014, www.ramsar.org

Karla

lake

http://www.ramsar.org/

Sigma 4 water (1/5) Financed by: INTERREG IVC program/ERDF

Partnership: 11 partners, 8 European countries

Province of Fryslân (NL, Lead Partner)

Municipality of Smallingerland (NL)

Merseburg Innovation and Technology Centre (D)

District Administration of Demmin (D)

International Resources and Recycling Institute

(UK)

Mineral & Energy Economy Research Institute of

Polish Academy of Science (PO)

Buzau-Ialomita Water Basin Administration (RO)

Development Agency GAL Genovese (IT)

University of Debrecen (HU)

South-Transdanubian Environment Protection &

Water Management Directorate (HU)

Thessaly Region (GR)

University of Thessaly (GR)

Total budget: € 2.5 million

Main goal:

Development of new lakes and wetland areas

which significantly increase water quality in the

water system and make the water system more

flexible in terms of quantity

improve the capacity of the partner regions for

the development of new lakes and wetlands

improve water and environmental quality of the

involved regions

Project duration: January 2010 - March 2013

www.sigmaforwater.org


http://www.sigmaforwater.org/

Main outputs:

10 master Plans including

action and funding plans

Three years of intensive exchange of experience in the partnership

resulted in raising awareness and improving the capacity of the

participating regions in the preparation of regional wetlands and lakes

Different instruments have been used to help the partners to define

the core qualities of the regions and to stimulate bilateral exchange of

expertise, sharing good practices among partners

Main result achieved

during the project:

Finalization and

presentation of master,

action and funding plans

for an integrated

approach to wetlands or

lake areas by all

participating partners


Sigma 4 water (2/5)

Partner meetings

2010

• March, start conference in Eernewoude, The Netherlands

• September, 2nd partner meeting in Budapest, Hungary

• December, expert meeting in Cracow, Poland

2011

• March, 3rd partner meeting in Fryeburg, Germany

• September, 4th partner meeting in Glasgow, UK Scotland

2012

• April, 5th partner meeting in Genoa, Italy

• September, 6th partner meeting in Bucharest, Romania

2013

• February, final meeting in Thessaly, Greece

Sigma 4 water (3/5)


MASTER, ACTION & FUNDING

PLAN

Cooperation

Master Plan

template

Methodologies

& Tools

Knowledge

Sharing

Literature

Review


Sigma 4 water (4/5)


A systematic five-step approach…

Identify responsible wetland restoration

issues Get the right

people involved

Develop your

plan

Put the plan into

action &

communicate

Evaluate how

well you did

…for practical guidance and tools for assisting organizations

in identifying and understanding the hazards and risks

related to wetlands restoration along the stakeholders

chain involved

Sigma 4 water (5/5)

Mecklenburg Pilot Area

Germany


Further project results

•relevant stakeholders were involved (start, middle, end)

•exchange of information with the other project partners were discussed In the

international project meetings

main result

•the masterplan for the project area as a tool for later actions in different

wetland areas with the aim of sustainable water management for agriculture &

for natural development.

•The action plan with a prioritization of the measures and a funding plan based

on a cost estimation for the measures and an identification of possible funding

sources.

•the identified good practices

•the policy recommendations for local, regional, national and European level.

measures proposed:

•Reconstruction of 7 facilities

•Remodelling of 3 facilities for ecological continuity

•Preservation or rehabilitation of 26 facilities

areas identified:

•Supply areas for rewetting

•Supply areas for extensive land use

•Fen areas not effected by damming

Revitalization of the Cún-

Szaporca oxbow system

hungary


Positive results:

•nature conservation

•biodiversity

•natural values

•flood-protection

•economy

•eco-tourism

•labour market

•population-retain

accomplishment

Connection to other projects, outputs and results:

•Innovative approach to stimulate and develop the regional economy sector

tourism by means of unlocking regional qualities along water areas for tourists

with ICT tools;

•Contribution to water management system in the region (thus contributing to

implementation of EU Water Framework Directive or WFD);

•Preparing for the impacts of the climate change for the water management system

in the region;

•Contributing to ecological values in the area;

•Creating opportunities for recreation and tourism by means of improving the

attractiveness of the area (nature and recreation).

Landscape-scale reconstruction

plan - Hortobágy wetlands

hungary


Inscribed on the World Heritage List

cultural landscapes category

(UNESCO,1999)

A)River connected wetlands (River Tisza): more space

for the river : harmonization of interests: flood

protection - wetland reconstruction –biodiversity

(ecoservices)

•flood plain wetlands (between the dikes)

•traditional floodplain management

•biodiversity development

– fish spawning area development

B) Former flood plain (outside the

dikes): wetland development – rural

development – biodiversity

enhancement reconstruction and

rehabilitation of former wetlands

•wetland construction

•modelling of river flood dynamic in

reconstructed wetland water supply

•wetland development of Egyek-

Pusztakócs Area and Zám Area

•habitat development ongoing

Development Agency

GAL Genovese

italy


Goals

- enhance the area's biodiversity

- generate new opportunities for

leisure, recreation and tourism

- establish the area as an attractive

place to live and to work

Focus on the pilot project

•construction of a small artificial lake

•connections to the cycle track & the new

wetland

•Renovation of the surrounding area

•realization of bike paths connecting with

the existing track

•infrastructure needed to maintain water

into the lake

Wetland restoration at the confluence

of Calmatui river with the Danube

romania


Project Expectations

•Innovative approach to stimulate and develop the

regional economy- sector tourism

•Improving the water management system in the region

•improving the attractiveness of the area (nature and

recreation)

•development of local industries

Project benefits

•Achieving natural habitats and breeding areas for

native fish and waterfowl

•Creating a reservoir for biodiversity and securing

energy resources

•Improving water quality and trophic status of

ecosystems

•Retention of sediments and nutrients stabilization

•Development of traditional activities: fishing, reed

harvesting, farming, subsistence farming, etc.

•Tourism and recreation areas through ecotourism etc.

Seven Lochs Wetland Park

Scotland, uk


Wetland Park

Glasgow

Edinburgh

specific aims of the wetland park:

•Protect, conserve and enhance the natural

environment, biodiversity and cultural heritage

of the Seven Lochs Wetland Park area for

present and future generations to experience

and enjoy.

•Promote understanding, awareness &

appreciation of the importance of the

uniquewetland environment and heritage, &

involve local communities in its developmentand

management.

•Support and deliver environmental, social &

economic regeneration of the area.

From development to delivery:

•Partnership working – across public

bodies &agencies

•Use of Integrated Habitat Network

mapping and analysis

•A holistic approach

•Stakeholder and community engagement

•Integrated Green Infrastructure

approach to planned development

•Detailed visitor planning and

recreation development strategy

•The time factor

Creating a strong identity

•Scotland’s largest urban nature park

•landmark destination within the central

belt of Scotland

•Clear identity, linked to clear and visible

signage and innovative marketing


Greece (1/5)


A master document (~350 pp):

– Inventory of all 29 drainage & restoration studies

(since 1887)

– Includes a full scale hydgo-geological study of the

Karla Lake wider area

– Integrates strategies/policies / suggestions of all

stakeholders involved (national, regional & local)

Chapter 1 (Intro)

Chapter 2 (Description of Karla Lake wider area)

Chapter 3 (Historical review of former Karla Lake)

Chapter 4 (Draining the Lake)

Chapter 5 (Restoring the Lake)

Chapter 6 (Utilizing the Lake)

Chapter 7 (Cost/Benefit Analysis)

ANNEX I (Studies Inventory)

ANNEX II (Maps & Figures)

ANNEX III (alternative ways towards

sustainable development)


…A Good Practice

Case studies on

the cultural

aspects of

wetlands

Lessons learnt & how these

could be adopted at the

Karla Lake case

17 countries

(Gr, Ro, Tr, Uk,

Es, Eg, Al, Fr,

Pt, Tn, BiH, Cr,

It, FYROM, USA,

Sl & Al) Assist every

Master Planner

196 References


Greece (2/5)



Greece (5/5)

AXIS 1

The utilization of the

rowing centre as athletic

infrastructure

The utilization of rowing

center’s infrastructures

for beyond athletic use

AXIS 2

rationalization of

agricultural development

round the lake, aid and

support of agro-touristic

and eco-touristic actions

based on the lake

promotion of cultural

characteristics of the

region


•The State might not support the hosting of large

scale water-related international events and the

KRC might face economic feasibility problems

STERNGTHS WICKNESSES

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS


Greece (4/5)

The facilities are placed in the most central

region of Greece and can attract easily people

from every city around.

•Archaeological places nearby

•Exceptionally developed tourist city of Volos in

distance of few kilometers from the facility

•Existence of large hotel units in Volos

Ideal destination for school trips & student

environmental education programs

Good cycling paths for races

•The management body must have good

communication with the International Federations

of Rowing and Canoe-Kayak

•The State must show the willingness to support the

sport facilities and avoid their transformation into

“White Elephants”

•Seasonal activities in the wider region

•Weakness from the competition to provide

respectively large spaces to organize events.

•Weakness from the competition to provide original

and different other services to the rowing center

•Non developed tourist villages except the

mountainous region of Pilion in close distance from

the facilities

•Rowing and Canoe-Kayak athletes from nothern

countries don’t have the opportunity to train in the

winter period, because of hard weather conditions

in most of their countries

•Attracting Triathlon athletes thanks to the

existence of swimming course.

•The creation of the adventure park could provide

the KRCI with visitors all year round.

Source: THESSALY REGION --ACTION PLAN FOR THE UTILIZATION OF KARLA LAKE



Greece (5/5)

EVALUA-

TION

Products

and

services

Locatio

n

Pricing

Policy

Promoti

on

Target

Groups

Market Analysis

Sigma for Water

Policy Matrix – Overview of

Recommendations (1/2)

NL

DE Saxony-Anhalt

DE Meck-lemburg

IT GR

SCO RO HU P

No

reco-

mme-

nda-

tions

Further develop

local and regional

cooperation under

involvement of all

relevant

stakeholders

Establish

attractive tourist

destinations with

focus on USP

archaeology

Construction of

Central Visitor

and Information

Centre

Creation of

joint regional

location

marketing

concept

Further

networking with

nearby existing

tourist

destinations

Further

developme

nt of local

cooperation

under

involvement

of all

relevant

stakeholder

s such as

farmers

association,

land

owners and

farmers

represented

by Water

and Soil

Association

Obere

Peene

Ensure an

integrated

approach to

the wetland

planning

Think

about

rivers as

a

resource

and not

as a

problem

Involve the

key policy

level in the

local

planning

Ensure the

cooperation

about public

and private

key stake-

holders

Define

the

actual

threats

Karla

Lake’s

ecosyst

em is

facing

due to

the

related

environ

mental

stres-

ses

impo-

sed

Adopt an Integrated

Green

Infrastructure

approach to

planning and

design of

Community Growth

Areas

Develop clear

policies for

climate change

adaptation and

mitigation linked

to the

development of

the Wetland

Park and

associated

green network

Link the creation

and management of

the Wetland Park to

delivering local

socio-economic

regeneration and

economic

development

Develop a

project

attractive to

tourists,

increasing

biodiversity

developing the

potential to

create

employment

locally -

Introducing the

pilot zone into the

local Danube

tourism map

small affordable

projects that

demonstrate

positive actions

attractive to the

local population

Assessing water

balance

opportunities at

early stage

Give priority for

existing and

potential

wetlands areas

preservation and

development in

local

development

strategy and plan

Further

development of

cooperation with

involvement of all

relevant

stakeholders

Establish a

new eco-

touristic

center with

study and

cycling route

(and the

necessary

infrastructure)

The use of all the

advantages of Gorka

and Balaton tank

Creation of joint

regional location

marketing concept to

bundle and

strengthen activities

Improving the

efficiency of support

instruments of local

businesses involved

in revitalization

projects

Development of

cooperation

between local

actors and

businesses in the

development of

brownfield sites

around the Gorka

and Balaton

reservoir


Sigma for Water



NL

DE Saxony

DE Meck.

IT GR SCO

RO HU P

Strengthen

the existing

touristic

connection

from

Drachten

with the

Frisian lakes

& become part

of the Frisian

Lake project

and the

provincial

policy

programme

'Gastfrij

Fryslân'.

Designate

Drachten

within the

Frisian lake

project as a

gateway to the

Frisian lake

area.

Develop a

master plan.

Inte-

grate

Geise-

ltal lake

in

regional

marke-

ting

strategy

Ensure

fina-

ncing

for

further

develo-

pment

of

touri-

sm

infrastr

ucture.

Create

of joint

Tourism

Develo

ment

strategy

.

Develo-

pment of

coope-

ration

with

other

water

authori-

ties.

Trans-

fer of

know-

ledge

and

experie-

nces

from

S4W

including

coordi-

nation

with

WFD

impleme

ntation

Ensure

the

Integra-

tion

between

water

manage-

ment and

water

planning

regulation

Ensure

financing

for further

develo-

pment of

integrated

projects .

Solve

conflict in

wetland

(water)

use and

managem

ent .

Ensure the

continuous

cooperation of the

Regional Authority

with the

Ecodevelopment

Management Body

of Karla -

Mayrovounio -

Kefalovriso –

Velestino.

Ensure the final

approval of Karla

Lake’s

Master/Action/Fund

ing Plan from the

Regional Authority

and integrate the

proposed actions

to the Regional

Operational

Programme of

Thessaly 2014-

2020.

Ensure that small

smart win-win

projects will be

appropriately

communicated to

potential investors &

local community

Adopt the

Integrated

Green

Infrastructure

approach

within

regional

planning

policy and

within

planning and

development

decision

making.

Secure the

long term

management

and

development

of the Wetland

park as a

flagship site

within the GCV

Green

Network and

Central

Scotland

Green

Network

including

linking the

Wetland Park /

green network

Being alert to climate

change and using

water bodies as an

important element of

adaptation to climate

change .

Influencing

funding bodies

into becoming

involved in

structural funds

consultation

stages to ensure

that funding for

wetlands is

incorporated into

the new EU

structural funds

and regional

funding

programmes.

Ensure the master

planning helps

develop the

maximum economic

opportunities whilst

ensuring

environmental and

social benefits.

Create a natural

resources preservation

and management

platform for efficient

participation of local

partners, stakeholders.

Develop strategic plan for

regional wetlands

development as a

highlighted element of

the spatial planning

process, decisions.

Integrated with

the Ancient Drava

Programme sharing

experience and future

possibilities of S4W in

order to provide a good

example for other

development project of

this region - which has

very bad state of

economy but a lot of

natural values .

Create

tourism

strategy

which

include

also

water

reser-

voirs.

Financial

support

for the

develop

ment of

water

reser-

voirs with

particular

empha-

sis on

the

needs of

small

retention.


Sigma for Water



NL

DE Saxony

DE Meck. IT GR SCO

RO HU P

Ensure sustainable developme

nt of the National park De

Alde Feanen (Natura 2000).

Ensure

sustainable development of

Geiseltal

with phasi

ng out of redevelopm

ent activit

ies

Raising awareness

for sustainable

wetland development on national

level - financing of

implementation in

underdeveloped regions

also from federal

sources to compensate

the decline in EU funding

To involve

the national key stakeholders

in nation

al planni

ng

The MB should be authorized to gather

and elaborate the local

population/end-users opinion on the subject

Green Networks

and Integrated

Green Infrastruc

ture highlighted as best

practice in national planning

policy and practice

Influencing funding bodies into becoming

involved in structural funds

consultation stages to ensure that funding for

wetlands is incorporated

into the new EU structural funds

and regional funding

programmes

Put the accent on

the restoration

and developme

nt of wetlands in the 2014-20

planning process and in the KEOP during the

realizations.

Promotion of PPP and the

development of legal

solutions for the

implementation of PPPs

Changes in ownership law

to facilitate the

management of "wild"

water reservoirs


Sigma for Water



NL

DE Saxony

DE Meck. IT GR SCO

RO HU P

Continue stimulating exchange

of experience

en cooperatio

n with European partners

(lake, wetland

and sustainable

tourism developme

nt).

Further

development of exchange of experience with other European

Lakes

Development of exchange

of experience regarding the implementati

on of the S4W

masterplans in the

involved regions EU

support also for the

financing of the

implementation of the

S4W masterplans

To involve the key stakeholders

in Europe

an planning to

ensure the

integration and

feasibility of

European

New regulat

ion

To ensure the

approval of Master

Plan from the EC

prior to be implemented as it has to do with

the Management of more than one

RBDs (River Basin

Districts)

Integrating green

infrastructure into

developments in

wetland areas which

aims to achieve

biodiversity, access,

water managem

ent benefits

Including the area into

Natura2000 network

Looking for partners

and funds to generate

further projects in connection

with sustainable

water management in order

to exchange more

experience and to meet

other similar

problems, methods,

aspects, etc.

Creation of common

network or cooperation platform


Culture, Tourism &

Wetlands (1/4)


• Alternative types of

tourism

• Agricultural tourism

(farm visitors)

• Therapeutic tourism

• Gastronomic tourism

• Education tourism

• Sports entertainment

(rafting, kayak, hang

gliding, paragliding, etc)

• Protection of cultural

heritage

• Observation and study of

the characteristics of

the area’s natural

environment

Culture, Tourism &

Wetlands (2/4)


do we want

To invent

The wheel?

strategy

timing

Co-

operation

vision

people

Re-

sources

Know-

ledge

tools

Funds

Culture, Tourism &

Wetlands (3/4)


Source: www.ramsar.org

World Wetlands Day 2012

Message from Anada Tiéga, Secretary General, Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

tourism in wetlands is here to stay and will continue to grow

Bad practice

http://www.ramsar.org/

Culture, Tourism &

Wetlands (4/4)


ECO TOURISM

“RESPONSIBLE

TRAVEL TO NATURAL

AREAS THAT

CONSERVES THE

ENVIRONMENT AND

IMPROVES THE WELL

BEING OF LOCAL

PEOPLE

International eco

tourism society

Quality in tourism is "[…]

the result of a process which

implies the satisfaction of all the

legitimate product and service

needs, requirements and

expectations of the consumer, at

an acceptable price, in conformity

with mutually accepted

contractual conditions and the

underlying quality determinants

such as safety and security,

hygiene, accessibility,

transparency, authenticity and

harmony of the tourism activity

concerned with its human and

natural environment."

UNWTO Quality Support Committee

at its sixth meeting (Varadero,

Cuba, 9-10 May 2003)

INNOVATION

IN TOURISM SUSTAINABL

E TOURISM

Resource Efficiency


Sustainable

Use of

Resources

Economic

Development

Find the Balance between….

Green Economy (1/2)


Which is the right way to keep balance?

Increase

Green Economy

Social Progress

Environmental

Awareness

Energy Use

Environmental

Pollution

Wasteful

Consumption

Decrease

..Focus on income and jobs

Green Economy (2/2)


Green Scenario

2 % of GDP or 1.3

trillion USD/year

in green

investments

Policies adopted

to help reduce

harmful CO2

emissions &

subsidies, &

incentives

created to

increase

investments, i.e., in

energy

efficiency

Business as Usual

continue with 2% of

GDP/year allocated

in a BAU process

Policies continue to

support investment in

non-green

infrastructure,

harmful fossil fuel

and fishing subsidies,

etc.

Source: Resource Efficiency, Sustainable Consumption and Production and Green Economy

Dr Stefanos FOTIOU, UNEP

10 key sectors

2010-2050

From Theory To

Practice (1/6)


The final goal is not just to find

the fund source, but to find the

right fund source worth

applying for in terms of right

timing and what is necessary to

give in exchange for that

funding

From Theory To

Practice (2/6)


•

KEY

FACTORS

wetland cover approximately

570,000,000 hectares – roughly

6% of the Earth’s land surface

Medwet Initiative: 27 countries,

343 Ramsar Mediterranean

sites, around 6 000 000

hectares classified (over an

estimation of 13 000 000

hectares).

The Mediterranean risks losing

56% of endemic freshwater fish,

36% of freshwater crabs and

crayfish, 29% of amphibians, 19%

of dragonflies during the next

decades.

Text17% of mammals, 13% of

reptiles, 42% skate and shark

species face a high risk of

extinction in the Basin (source

UICN).

By 2025, 95 million new inhabitants

are expected in the Mediterranean

Basin; 390 million international

tourists will visit the

Mediterranean Sea; 330 km3 of

freshwater will be mobilized every

year for the human activities

(source Plan Bleu).

Text

Some regions in the Mediterranean lost 60

% of their natural wetlands during the

20th century:

Italy: of the 3 million hectares of

wetlands existing at the time of the

Romans, only 190 000 hectares remain

today

Tunisia lost 28 % of their wetlands

during the last 100 years

Spain lost 60 % of its natural wetland

surface areas principally the last four

decades

Source: http://www.medwetlands-obs.org

http://www.medwetlands-obs.org/



From Theory To

Practice (3/6)


WMP

From Theory To

Practice (4/6)

What we need

is….

Help….

let΄s ask for it

then (scientific

community…

experts…)

Extroversion…

let΄s help less

developed…

let΄s connect with

each other…

networking

Use the

appropriate tools

in order for

exchange of

experience to be

effective

Be realistic…

(ex-ante, on-going,

ex-post)

Be patient and

consistent…

dedication to the

basic target

We Should All

Learn To Speak

The Same

Language

(basic initiative)


From Theory To

Practice (5/6)


From Theory To

Practice (6/6)


Dr. Vasilis KANAKOUDIS Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Dept., University of Thessaly, Greece Anastasia PAPADOPOULOU PhD Cand. Civil Engineering Dept., University of Thessaly, Greece

Thank you [email protected] [email protected]

…Nature never dies or lies

Wetlands existence is... a path to sustainable development…

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

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