Environmental audits and strategies for the cities of Tripoli and El-Mina (Lebanon), Oran (Algeria), Limassol (Cyprus), Sousse (Tunisia), and Tangiers (Morocco)

In the spring and summer of 1993, ECODIT's directors coordinated for the World Bank/METAP the environmental audits of Tripoli/El-Mina, Lebanon and Oran, Algeria. ECODIT also provided solid waste expertise for the environmental audit of Limassol, Cyprus. Finally, ECODIT directors reviewed the environmental audit and strategy reports prepared for two other cities (Sousse, Tunisia and Tangiers, Morocco) and prepared a synthesis report on the five municipal environmental audits. In Tripoli and Oran, ECODIT directed data collection and analysis efforts by two teams of 12 local and international experts each, and was responsible for preparing the final audit and strategy report. In each city, the audit team assessed the existing situation and evaluated the costs of several options to improve the environment, including the "no-action" approach. The audits identified priority projects in water supply and sanitation, solid waste management, coastal zone management, and land use.

Environmental audits and strategies for the cities of Gaza (Palestine) and Haifa

For Medcities, ECODIT conducted municipal environmental audits of Haifa, Israel and Gaza, Palestine as part of the European Commission-funded LIFE programme. In each city, ECODIT coordinated the efforts of a team of local and international experts collecting and analyzing municipal data. The audit team assessed the existing situation and identified several options to improve the environment. The audits covered the various aspects of the municipal environment, including water supply and sanitation, river rehabilitation and oued pollution control, solid waste management, coastal zone management, municipal GIS development, liquid industrial waste control, and land use and urban planning. For each city, ECODIT prepared the final audit and environmental strategy reports after organizing several public consultation meetings.

Environment and Development Observatory in Tripoli, Lebanon

The Al Fayhaa Union of Municipalities, which groups the municipalities of Tripoli, El-Mina and Beddawi in North Lebanon, obtained technical and financial support from the European Commission's LIFE programme to establish an Environment and Development Observatory for Tripoli and its region. ECODIT was selected to assist the Union of Municipalities to establish and launch the Observatory. We prepared a feasibility study of the Observatory and prepared a work plan for the launching phase. ECODIT met with the mayors of the municipalities involved and other neighboring municipalities, officials from the University of Lebanon, engineering and professional associations, environmental activists, and other local stakeholders to assess their needs and expectations from the project. We also reviewed existing information on indicators and analyzed environment and development trends and priorities in Tripoli. ECODIT presented the project during a public meeting in Tripoli and organized a workshop to discuss the preliminary feasibility study report. ECODIT has recruited the local staff of the Observatory. The project team prepared a report on development and environmental indicators for Tripoli and its region and put together a proposal to ensure the sustainability of the Observatory beyond the launching phase. ECODIT also helped to organize a national conference to present the results of the study and discuss the lessons-learned and next stages.