SIMPYC

SIMPYC project, co-financed by the European program [http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/ LIFE] (the Financial Instrument for the Environment), aims at finding solutions to some of the problems arising from port-city relations by co-ordinating the actions between ports and city councils.

This project has been carried out in three European cities with industrial and commercial ports: Valencia, Spain (Spain), Toulon (France) and Livorno (Italy).

The project also aims at providing solutions to the environmental management of fishing and leisure ports located in small municipalities. In this view, [http://www.simpyc.info SIMPYC] aims at establishing an implementation standard for environmental management systems in this ports in order to integrate an environmental management. The fishing and leisure ports of Denia and Villajoyosa/La Vila Joiosa (Alicante, Spain) participate as pilot ports in this field of the project.

Port-City / City-Port, a great opportunity!

To promote coexistence by;

* Avoiding barriers that separate the city from the port.
* Seeking joint solutions to problems which arise in port-city relations.
* Carrying out operations in an environmentally friendly manner with the aim of achieving sustainable development.
* Providing recreational spaces in port areas for the use of general public.

Objectives of the project

The main objectives targeted by [http://www.simpyc.info SIMPYC] project are the following:

* To coordinate environmental management processes implemented in urban and port environments as well as coordination between administrations.
* To carry out joint initiatives to monitor the environment in the port-city interface, paying particular attention to monitoring air pollution and to the study of the impact of land development.
* To prove the socioeconomic significance of ports and their role in the environmental conservation.
* To raise awareness among the general public on the importance of the coastal environment and the need for its preservation.

Expected results

By the end of the project in January 2008, the partners expect to have reached the following results:

* An Environmental Programme which is the result of a coordinated effort on the part of ports and city halls.
* The creation of integrated systems for monitoring air and noise pollution among others.
* An Indicator System managed through the aid of a balanced scorecard allowing implemented actions to be assessed and monitored.
* An awareness campaign for the general public particularly geared towards the very young.
* A public participation campaign via stakeholders meetings, debate forums, questionnaires…
* An internacional meeting on port-city relations.

Foreseen activities. Second semester 2007

* International Meeting on Port-City Relations from an Environmental Perspective organised by the Spanish State ports Institution
* 4th technical and management meeting

Project partners

* [http://www.valenciaport.com/cultures/es-ES/ Valencia Port Authority] (Leader)Valencia Port Authority comprises the ports managed by the Valencia Port Authority: Valencia, Sagunto and Gandía. This strong combination makes it Spain’s leading Mediterranean port in terms of commercial traffic, basically containerised cargo, particularly because of its dynamic area of influence and an extensive network connecting it to major ports around the world.
* [http://www.puertos.es/en/index.html Puertos del Estado] This Institution dependent of the State coordinates the Spanish port system. It manages the relations among the 28 Spanish Port Authorities, that incluye 53 nacional ports.
* [http://www.cit.gva.es/cast/informacion-general/ Conselleria de Infraestructuras y Transporte] Valencian Regional Government coordinates the management of the 35 regional ports through its Regional Ministry for Infrastructures and Transport.
* [http://www.uegva.info/fundacioncv/ Fundación Comunidad Valenciana — Región Europea] This foundation is a non-profit organization that streghtens the participation of the Valencian Region in the European Union’s policies and actions. It also promotes a better knowledge of these actions and policies.
* [http://www.grupoazahar.com/provisional/index.html Azahar Ingeniería] This company has a wide experience in web design and communication tools.
* [http://www.valencia.es/ Valencia City Council] Valencia City Council is developing an approaching strategy to promote port-city integration. The city is taking profit of the celebration of the [http://33rd.americascup.com/en/ America’s Cup] to promote the importance of the port.
* [http://www.uv.es/~webuv/ingles/index.htm Universitat de València Estudi General]

This public university has a strong commitment with research and innovation, especially if applied to local development.

* Livorno City Council This Italian city situated in the Tuscany region is aware of the importance of improving the port-city relationship.
* [http://www.porto.li.it/ Livorno Port Authority] Livorno is a major port of the Mediterranean sea and represents an important economic gear for the city and the region.
* [http://www.tpm-agglo.fr/jahia/jsp/index.jsp Communauté d’ Agglomération Toulon Provence Méditerranée] This community situated in the South of France has developed a close relation with the port and the sea.

* Var Chamber of Commerce and IndustryLocated in the heart of the PACA region, in the South of France, Var represents a natural way out to the Mediterranean sea for Northern Europe. Var Chamber of Commerce is aware of the key role of the ports in the development of the region.
* [http://www.feports-cv.org/ FEPORTS (Secretaryship)]

FEPORTS is the portuary institute for studies and cooperation of Valencian region. Valencian Government and Port Authorities of Castellón, Valencia and Alicante join this Institution with research objectives. Feports has been selected by Simpyc partners to assume the secretayship of Simpyc, due to their large experience in European projects.

External links

* [http://www.simpyc.info SIMPYC]