Environmental and economic
rehabilitation of a harbour brownfield
The brownfield concerned is the Mlaka site (INA Refinery). Several Pilot Action activities were delivered by the Port of Rijeka Authority in synergy with the City of Rijeka.
- Characteristics of the brownfield:
- INA Refinery is situated in the west cost of the City of Rijeka (area Mlaka), very close to the city centre
- It is one of the main brownfields in the territorial Functional Urban Area (200.000,00 m²).
- Some part of the area is residental but most parts are industrial
- The largest share of the area (approx 98%) belongs to private owner
- It represents one of the biggest pollutants in the area
- Main issues/problems:
- Ecological status: chemical reactions of ozone precursors, local sources, transport, inadequate waste
disposal, contamination of soil in dismissed industrial areas - ownership relations and responsibilities for its rehabilitation, future purpose
- Ecological status: chemical reactions of ozone precursors, local sources, transport, inadequate waste
- Goals and Needs:
- The rehabilitation of this brownfield offers a chance to create access to the sea for the population of Rijeka, significantly improving the coastal aspect of the city
- The rehabilitation of this brownfield offers a chance to create access to the sea for the population of Rijeka, significantly improving the coastal aspect of the city
- Activities, achievements, results and involvement of stakeholders:
Pilot activities were aimed at monitoring the environmental performance of the refinery and its possible improvements to safeguard the security of the Functional Urban Area inhabitants.
To carry out the related activities, it was necessary to strongly engage the key territorial stakeholders and to cooperate with the City of Rijeka from the beginning, with the constitution of a local action group. The local action group was composed by representatives of utility societies, companies who deals with prevention and sanitation of pollution, energy agencies and institutions responsible for controlling the health conditions in the county.
Starting from a report on environmental status of the harbour area, with focus on air quality, a study on the possible future uses of the area was conducted, in accordance with the port development plan and in respect of its transport and technological properties, limitations and market circumstances. Measures for the rehabilitation of the area were also proposed, stemming from the analyses of seawater, marine sediment, animal community, soil and air.
Finally, a national conference to collect inputs and follow up from stakeholders and a pilot report on main findings, studies on future use and proposed measures for rehabilitation were jointly drawn up by the Port of Rijeka Authority and the City of Rijeka.
