Protecting Dunkirk’s natural heritage

Dunkirk’s key focuses are on the preservation of biodiversity and the strengthening of links between the city and the port. To this end it has drawn up its own Natural Heritage Master Plan (SDPN) together with its stakeholders as a strategic tool to tackle these issues.

The plan’s underlying principle is that of anticipating actions to encourage the development of biodiversity while proposing new areas for economic activities.

Stéphane Raison, chair of the executive committee of the Port of Dunkirk, told ESPO that all stakeholders are closely involved in the choice of the areas dedicated to biodiversity, the definition and design of the projects and the environmental monitoring and management of them.

“Thanks to cycle paths, supervised tours, eco-landscaping and themed discovery visits, the general public, as well as the users of the port can experience the port’s atmosphere in a new way,” he said.

Mr Raison pointed out that ten years ago, there were no projects in France in favour of sustainable development and biodiversity which involved local governance.

“Our sustainable development and action plan is born out of a vision for the district. It testifies to the port’s very real awareness of its role in the Dunkirk area in terms of the environment and quality of life.”

The five projects shortlisted for this year’s ESPO Award at the ports of Bremen, Cartagena, Dunkirk, Guadeloupe and Riga.

This year’s winner will be announced during the award ceremony at the Egmont Palace in Brussels on 9 November.