One of the other reasons for the oil pollution of the Caspian Sea comes from poor
hydrocarbon control in existing streams (natural streams, municipal streets, etc.). As a
result of the unmanaged waste management at the enterprises or facilities operating
near these streams
or coastal areas, the Caspian Sea is affected by anthropogenic impact
and, therefore, leads to the destruction of living organisms in the water environment.
The problem of changing the level of Caspian sea.
The change in the level of the Caspian Sea has always caused socio-economic and
environmental problems in the coastal zone. For example, in the event of a decline, all
hydropower facilities, including ports, need to be rebuilt. The area of the shelf zone
where the fauna of the Caspian fauna is settled and the area decreases, hindering the
passage of fish to the river to spawn.
The hydrometeorological regime of this zone also has negative changes.
In the event of a
rise in the level of socio-economic life of the coastal zone, there is a great deal of
damage, environmental degradation, swamps, homes and lands remain under water. For
example, in the coastal zone of Azerbaijan in the 1978-1995 level 2.5m above sea level
"ecological refugees" The damage caused directly to Azerbaijan is $ 2 billion. For
example, many settlements and
farms located in the southern part
of our country 10-15 years ago
faced that catastrophic disaster,
causing serious damage to the
population and the state.
As can be seen from Table 1, during
the 20th century, the level of the
Caspian Sea increased and
diminished respectively over the
years.
Watering of equipment, flooding
of oil products, dismantling of facilities, etc. In the
southern and central areas, the Caspian Sea is exposed to more hydrodynamic hazards. In
addition, the bottom of the Caspian Sea is susceptible to mud volcanoes. Areas with
sulfur content are more dangerous. If there is a strong earthquake, it can take up to 1
million tons of sulfur-containing hydrocarbons at 1000 atmospheres, which is
a global
disaster.
References
Galib Huseynli, The Global problems of the world, Inam Pluralizm center? Baku 1997
Shirinov N.SH, Valiyev X.A, Aliyev Y.Q - The nature and ecology of the Caspian Sea, Baku 1998
Problems of the Caspian are being investigated (text), Baku 1993, 22nd June
İsmailov Ch, Ecology of the Caspian Sea and coastal areas, Baku : Ayna, 2005
Q.T.Mustafaev, Ecology of water in Azerbaijan and biodiversity of the Caspian Sea, Baku, 2007
www.sia.az
www.trend.az
Years
Level
(compared
Baltic sea)
Area
(1000
km²)
1910
-26,30
405,5
1920
-27,80
389,0
1930
-27,10
398,5
1940
-28,09
379,0
1950
-27,93
376,5
1960
-27,81
374,1
1970
-27,73
374,0
1980
-27,57
371,6
1990
-27,44
386,0
Table 1.
The change of the Caspian Sea level
during XX century
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Disaster Risk Reduction for Waterfront Urban Areas: The case of Water Level Rise
Adaptation Methods in Baku, Geneva and San Francisco
Tural Aliyev
Institute of Environmental Sciences of the University of Geneva
Tural.aliyev@etu.unige.ch
Keywords:
Urban planning, disaster risk reduction, waterfront urban areas, water level rise
adaptation methods, Baku
Introduction
The effects of climate change are impacting the cities and the concerns about the cities future in
terms of resilience are increasing. Increasing complexity of disasters impacts the coastal zones of
cities, which are predominantly characterized by high density of land use and population. Almost 65
percent of cities with populations above 2.5 million today are located
along the world coasts and
sixty percent of the world’s population already lives in coastal areas (Xalxo, 2007).
In addition to the risks associated to coastal cities (irregularities of precipitation, cyclic changing of
water level) the Caspian Sea has its particular risks related to the patterns of urban development and
industrial development (e.g. oil exploration) on the Sea. The rapid rise of Caspian Sea water level
(about 2.25 meters since 1978) has caused much concern to all five littoral countries, primarily
because flooding has destroyed or damaged buildings and other engineering structures, roads,
beaches and farm lands in the coastal zone (Roshan
et al., 2012).
Today, the Caspian Sea water level (attitude -28) can possibly rise to a maximum of -25/-26 level (if
continuous humid years occur), which means Sea level can possible rise up to 2.5 meters or drop off
1.5 meters within the natural variation cycle (EIA report,
Baku Shipyard Project, 2011). Perennial
fluctuations in sea level are due to changes in its water balance elements under influences of climate
changes and use of water resources in catchment area of the Sea (Mansimov M.R.
et al., 1999).
These fluctuation changes can impact negatively on the built environment and human security. In
case of increase of water level, it may cause social and economic disruption, environmental
degradation, chemical pollution of the waterfront areas related to the oil industry, erosion, landslide
etc. Whereas, in case of decrease, it may cause the dust and sand winds, storms, salinization of the
land, as well as it can impact agriculture. In another word, it can impact human security.
The natural disasters which impact the human security and the cities infrastructure - have shown the
importance of disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate adaptation program in cities. The
measures
of the program shouldn’t be only construction project as an “afterthought” (Bosher
et al., 2007a).
Indeed, it should be seen as a continuous process, with resilience being methodically built into the
design, construction and operation processes (DCOP).
The different methods of urban planning have their role to play in reducing and managing the range
of hazards and uncertainties. The inquiries highlight the importance of physical/protective
interventions which should be integrated into the built environment. Throughout the presentation,
the possible vulnerabilities scenarios for waterfront urban area of the city of Baku will be shown and
different methods towards DRR and adaptation that have been implemented in Geneva and San
Francisco will be shared.
Materials and methods
The above-mentioned challenges faced by the cities highlights the importance of interdisciplinary
approach in research methods and practices. The interdisciplinary approach: the relationship
between urbanism and social sciences shows that, the spatial planning is becoming more than more
an attractive and a necessary tool for
DRR and adaptation, as it presents an opportunity to regulate
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