The urban sprawl of the cities, caused by the development and diversification of industrial activities and by the spreading of individual houses in peri-urban areas, is responsible for the apparition of ecological disequilibrium, especially when environmental protection issues are not taken into consideration. The most affected part of the environment is soil, especially when cities don’t have sewer systems, wastewater treatment plants and waste management systems. Also, in urbanized areas, the quality of the soil may be altered by some industrial activities with high soil pollution risk. Urban plans must undergo environmental assessment for plans and programs procedure and environmental issues must be taken into account when plans are prepared. The development of cities can’t be stopped in order to preserve the environment, but there should be found some procedures and methods to ensure both the protection of the nature and the development of the cities. Alba Iulia city renewed its General Urban Plan in 2012, and in 2013 this plan underwent environmental assessment procedure. The scope of this study was to identify the main sources of impact on the soil associated with the implementation of the measures stipulated in this General Urban Plan. Also, the study aimed to find the measures required in order to minimize this impact.

urbanization, soil, green spaces, soil pollution

Presentation: poster