An overview of environmental and management problems in Mariupol, Ukraine

The eastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol is among the most polluted cities in the Ukraine. Even with a decrease in manufacturing after the dissolution of the USSR, the high amounts of hazardous wastes in the water, air and soil have not been reduced, often exceeding the safety limits used by the World Health Organisation (WHO). City dwellers continue to have worryingly short lifespans, as well as a high percentage of oncological diseases. The current extent of the problems seen in the city is described in this paper, along with a programme aimed at the sustainable development of the city. Public discussions of Mariupol’s environmental problems are documented in this paper and took place via workshops, newspaper articles, television programmes and surveys. As a result of these investigations, increasing life expectancy by ten years was chosen as the primary goal for city development. A summary of the project is presented, along with some analysis and recommendations.