ESPO award to promote societal integration of ports

At the opening of the GreenPort conference in Naples on February 26, ESPO announced the installation of an annual Award to promote innovative projects of European port authorities that develop co-operative synergies with cities, improve the quality and accessibility of port areas and generally promote a positive image of the port as a place to experience, live and work.
“Embracing co-habitation and dialogue with cities and local communities often seems a distraction from the commercial rationale of port management” said ESPO Chairman Victor Schoenmakers, “We are however convinced that the economic function of ports can only be sustained in the longer run if the societal function is taken seriously. The current crisis may intensify tensions in this respect which is why it is all the more important that port authorities now invest in sustainable relations with their surrounding communities.”
Applications for the ESPO Award will be evaluated by an international jury of experts chaired by John B Richardson (photo), former Head of the European Commission’s Maritime Policy Task Force and currently Special Advisor to FIPRA International. “The general public and policy makers alike often ignore the fundamental contributions ports make to the economy and society. The result is that ports often stand alone, without allies, when they run into opposition to their development.” said Mr. Richardson “The ESPO Award fits perfectly with the objective to establish better dialogue between ports and cities which the European Commission identified as a priority area in both its maritime and ports policies."

Source: Transportweekly