G. Banias

Decision Support System for the evaluation of urban air pollution control options: Application for particulate pollution in Thessaloniki, Greece

Development of strategies to control urban air pollution is a complex and multi-disciplinary process involving a wide range of scientists with different expertise and interests. This paper presents an integrated assessment methodological scheme for the evaluation of air pollution control measures that are put forward in order to reduce sufficiently air pollution levels in urban areas. Forming long-term, efficient air pollution control strategies requires knowledge of the costs associated with their implementation, the emission inventories and emission reductions to be achieved, as well as the concentration variations that represent air quality levels in the area examined. In contrast to the majority of the currently employed assessment approaches, the presented scheme enables the evaluation of any proposed air pollution control option in terms of its combined impact on air quality and social welfare, by correlating economic and health impact assessment issues. The approach presented in this paper brings together air quality modelling and mathematical programming techniques and provides a decision support system for the determination of optimal bundles of air pollution control options according to the particular features and needs of the areas examined. Both cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit approaches are taken into account in order to put the problem on the basis of economic efficiency from a societal perspective. The methodology is implemented for the case of Thessaloniki, Greece, which is selected on the grounds that the area is considered as one of the most polluted--if not the most polluted--cities within Europe, especially with respect to airborne particles.

A web-based Decision Support System for the optimal management of construction and demolition waste

Wastes from construction activities constitute nowadays the largest by quantity fraction of solid wastes in urban areas. In addition, it is widely accepted that the particular waste stream contains hazardous materials, such as insulating materials, plastic frames of doors, windows, etc. Their uncontrolled disposal result to long-term pollution costs, resource overuse and wasted energy. Within the framework of the DEWAM project, a web-based Decision Support System (DSS) application - namely DeconRCM - has been developed, aiming towards the identification of the optimal construction and demolition waste (CDW) management strategy that minimises end-of-life costs and maximises the recovery of salvaged building materials. This paper addresses both technical and functional structure of the developed web-based application. The web-based DSS provides an accurate estimation of the generated CDW quantities of twenty-one different waste streams (e.g. concrete, bricks, glass, etc.) for four different types of buildings (residential, office, commercial and industrial). With the use of mathematical programming, the DeconRCM provides also the user with the optimal end-of-life management alternative, taking into consideration both economic and environmental criteria. The DSSs capabilities are illustrated through a real world case study of a typical five floor apartment building in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Electronic waste management cost: a scenario-based analysis for Greece.

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is recognized as a priority waste stream internationally, mostly due to their volume and hazardousness. This paper presents an analysis for the quantification of WEEE management cost for Greece, taking into consideration scenarios for reverse logistics network’s development and WEEE volume scenarios. Transportation cost, which represents a major cost element for any reverse logistics network, is modelled with the use of mathematical programming, targeting towards the optimization of locations for the development of required intermediate storage infrastructures. Additionally, overall operational cost and recycling fees are estimated.

Willingness to pay for reducing the risk of premature mortality attributed to air pollution: a contingent valuation study for Greece

Development of strategies to control urban air pollution is a complex and multi–disciplinary process. In most real life cases, relevant policy making is characterised by the lack of information related to the economic value of the health consequences attributed to air pollution. This information is important to possess reliable economic estimates for the benefit arising from the application of the proposed strategies. This paper presents a contingent valuation approach in order to elicit the willingness–to–pay (WTP) for reducing the risk of premature mortality attributed to air pollution based on an easy–to–comprehend questionnaire. The economic value of increasing life expectancy by saving one year of life loss through improving air quality is estimated for Thessaloniki, Greece, which is considered one of the most polluted –if not the most polluted– cities within Europe, especially with respect to airborne particles. A sample of approximately 800 residents was chosen and a face–to–face interview was conducted using a hypothetical open–ended question designed to elicit the respondents WTP. Change in life expectancy was well understood and the results showed that 78.2% of respondents were able to express their WTP. The mean WTP to save one Year of Life Loss (YOLL) is approximately 920 € per person per year, which corresponds to a Value of a Life Year (VOLY) that is approximately 41 000 €.

A Humanitarian Logistics Case Study for the Intermediary Phase Accommodation Center for Refugees and Other Humanitarian Disaster Victims

The growing and uncontrollable stream of refugees from Middle East and North Africa has created considerable pressure to governments and societies all over Europe. To establish the theoretical framework, the concept of humanitarian logistics is briefly examined in this paper. Historical data from the nineteenth century onwards illuminates the fact that this influx is not a novelty in the European continent and the interpretation of statistical data highlights the characteristics and particularities of the current refugee wave, as well as the possible repercussions these could inflict both to hosting societies and to displaced populations. Finally, a review of European and national legislation and policies shows that measures taken so far are disjointed and that no complete but at the same time fair and humanitarian management strategy exists.

Consumers’ Perception of Wastewater Usage in Agriculture: Evidence from Greece

The need for wastewater usage is increasing, especially in coastal regions with limited freshwater supply. In Greece, the only applications of water reuse projects concern irrigation purposes in the agricultural sector. One of the key issues concerning the adaptation of such projects and further expansion of such initiatives is consumer perceptions. To that end, the aim of this chapter is to explore consumer awareness about the reuse of wastewater for agricultural purposes in order to accept such policies. The study reveals a positive attitude of the public towards recycled water reuse in agriculture. Education is positively correlated with higher awareness regarding agricultural and landscape irrigation. However, the study reveals several obstacles for a wider acceptance of similar practices, especially for older people.