Sustainable management and urban space quality in the Mediterranean: Challenges and perspectives

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present some challenging issues concerning urban space management in the Mediterranean region, with a special focus to sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

It is structured around the outcomes of the SB05MED International Conference titled “Sustainable Construction: Action for Sustainability in the Mediterranean Region,” held in Athens in June 2005, which is the main subject of this special issue. It will present the main outcomes related to existing approaches of environmental quality in buildings as well as methodologies, policies and standards for environmental quality in buildings and cities. Furthermore, it will present future trends and explore the current situation of projects, systems and operations, as well as performance assessment tools and financial instruments and mechanisms towards sustainable construction in the Mediterranean region. Each major scientific topic is presented and analysed. Finally, a synthesis of outcomes is presented.

Findings

The paper demonstrates the links between developments in the field of sustainable building in the Mediterranean region and relates them with future developments and perspectives at a macro‐regional level.

Originality/value

This overview paper can be used as the starting point of future research as well as a reference paper.

Citation

Kyvelou, S. and Leal Filho, W. (2006), "Sustainable management and urban space quality in the Mediterranean: Challenges and perspectives", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 17 No. 5, pp. 611-624. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777830610684576