Conference proceedings - Zbornik Radova[1].pdf - Univerzitet u ...

the amount of industrial emissions have been decreased, becausefrom increased use of better fuels, building of water treatment plantsand the closure of some factories, but the recent time theconcentration of nitrogen, carbon oxides and ozone in these areas hasbeen increased. An even greater problem of degradation of industrialsites in Slovenia is the soil pollution with heavy metals. Industrialactivity is resulting in a selective accumulation of metals such as As,Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. These elements are an important part ofsmall quantities of soil ecosystem, but their excessive accumulationis harmful to the plants, animals and humans. However, we must notforget about the visual degradation of the urban environment near theold industrial factories, which is very visible [4,5].Change in the economic system from a socialist to a marketeconomy, has brought major changes. Most plants were eliminated,only few managed to get off the ground again. One of the rare casesis also plant called “Cona Tezno”, where a high-tech industrydevelopment sets a new foundation of the old industrial area.2. THE IMPORTANCE OF INDUSTRIAL AREASFROM THE ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONSVIEWPOINTEconomists see the degraded areas in extremely smallpossibility of renewal; these objects in the environment and thewider area offer no potential for growth. They are not aware thatthese areas are important for maintaining ecological balance, so it isnecessary to renew them. On the industrial areas we must look asanthropogenic ecosystems with its functions, which have thepotential to maintain natural balance. The 6th Sixth EnvironmentAction Programme of EAP Thematic Strategy on the urbanenvironment requires a high quality of life, where the level ofpollution will not affect on human health and the environment and itwill promote sustainability areas [6.7]. This means that we mustregulate as soon as possible the degraded industrial areas.Many foreign authors see the future of industrial areas in thedevelopment of industrial parks, which will operate on the principleof the natural ecosystem. Frosh and Gallapagos [8] were the firstwho started to encourage the development of industrial ecosystem. In~ 317 ~