Can urban environmental problems be overcome? The case of Skopje–world’s most polluted city

Arsovski Slobodan (), Kwiatkowski Michał (), Lewandowska Aleksandra (), Peshevska Dimitrinka Jordanova (), Sofeska Emilija () and Dymitrow Mirek ()
Additional contact information
Arsovski Slobodan: Chamber of Certified Architects and Certified Engineers, Blvd. Partizanski Odredi 29, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia
Lewandowska Aleksandra: Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Department of Urban Studies and Regional Development, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
Peshevska Dimitrinka Jordanova: University American College Skopje, School of Political Science, Blvd. III Makedonska Brigada 60, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia
Sofeska Emilija: Cosmo Innovative Center, Blvd. Jane Sandanski 113, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia
Dymitrow Mirek: Chalmers University of Technology, Mistra Urban Futures, Läraregatan 3, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden

Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series, 2018, vol. 40, issue 40, 17-39

Abstract: The condition of the environment is one of the most fundamental concerns of cities worldwide, especially when high levels of pollution and environmental destruction exert immense impact on people’s quality of life. This paper focuses on Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, which often tops the charts as the world’s most polluted city. Despite associated problems such as congestion, ill health, and premature death, Macedonia’s scarce resources are instead spent on controversial projects, such as ‘Skopje 2014’, involving creating a national identity through massive and extremely costly constructions of neo-classical government buildings, museums and monuments. The aim of this paper is to compare the situation of Skopje to environmentally oriented activities conducted in several Polish cities and to discuss the possibility of their implementation in Skopje. Considering the scale and scope of Skopje’s environmental problems, the paper offers some priorities for action, including solutions that emphasize institution building, technical input and self-governance. It also highlights a number of economic, ecological, and socio-cultural contradictions involved in the process of achieving sustainable development.

Keywords: pollution; environmental problems; sustainable development; Skopje; Poland (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:vrs:buogeo:v:40:y:2018:i:40:p:17-39:n:2

DOI: 10.2478/bog-2018-0012

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