Sectoral Visions & Pathways
Sector-specific visions and implementation pathways for climate resilience
Water Security, Wastewater Management and Drought Resilience
Sector Vision
This pathway focuses on expanding water supply systems in rural areas and upgrading irrigation to help farmers use water more efficiently. It includes fixing old water pipelines and replacing asbestos pipes to improve water safety and reliability. The municipality plans to expand its wastewater treatment facilities to ensure equitable access to clean water, reduce environmental pollution and enhance resilience to prolonged droughts and seasonal water stress.
Key Risks Addressed
- •Water shortages affecting agriculture and public health
- •Aging and asbestos water pipelines
- •Inadequate wastewater treatment
- •Drought conditions and seasonal water stress
- •Environmental pollution from untreated wastewater
Pathways
Water Security & Drought Resilience
This pathway begins with the replacement of aging and asbestos water pipelines, a critical short-term measure to improve water safety and reliability. It then progresses to the installation of rainwater harvesting systems, enhancing drought resilience and supporting urban greening. Finally, the expansion of wastewater treatment facilities ensures broader coverage and environmental protection.
Timeline: Short to medium term
Urban Climate Resilience & Public Health
To protect vulnerable populations from heatwaves and extreme weather, this pathway introduces cooling areas and shaded public spaces, early warning systems, and public drinking water stations. These measures are essential for enhancing health and safety across neighborhoods.
Timeline: Short to medium term
Nature-Based Solutions & Ecosystem Resilience
This pathway includes the expansion of urban green infrastructure using fire-resistant and drought-tolerant species, alongside shelterbelt restoration to combat erosion and wind damage. It supports long-term ecological stability and biodiversity, while also contributing to drought resilience and land rehabilitation.
Timeline: Medium to long term
Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Storage
Sector Vision
The community invests in insulation upgrades, renewable-energy production (especially solar) and storage, as well as sustainable heating and cooling systems that reduce dependence on fossil fuels. These measures directly support climate mitigation and adaptation, helping Sveti Nikole lower emissions and prepare for energy-related climate risks.
Key Risks Addressed
- •High energy consumption in public buildings
- •Inadequate insulation
- •Dependence on fossil fuels
- •High operational costs and emissions
- •Energy-related climate risks
Pathways
Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
This pathway starts with rooftop solar installations on public buildings, followed by the deployment of battery storage systems to enhance energy resilience. Retrofitting public lighting with LED systems and improving building insulation are medium-term actions that reduce energy consumption and emissions.
Timeline: Short to medium term
Urban Green Infrastructure & Academic Collaboration
Building on the previous pathway, this sequence adds formal cooperation with universities and student engagement in applied projects such as rainwater capture and erosion control. It fosters innovation and capacity-building.
Timeline: Medium to long term
Waste Management
Sector Vision
This strategy promotes a circular economy approach, including improved waste separation, composting and enforcement of environmental regulations. These actions aim to reduce waste ending up in landfills or being illegally dumped and prevent flood-related blockages.
Key Risks Addressed
- •Inadequate waste collection
- •Illegal dumping
- •Limited recycling infrastructure
- •Environmental and public health risks
- •Flood-related blockages from waste
Pathways
Waste Management & Circular Economy
This pathway focuses on developing municipal composting facilities, cleaning up illegal dump sites, and supporting small businesses engaged in reuse and recycling. These actions aim to reduce waste that ends up dumped or in landfills, environmental risks and stimulate green job creation.
Timeline: Short to medium term
Citizen Engagement & Capacity Building
This pathway centers on community training and awareness programs to foster inclusive governance and behavioral change. It is a foundational element for sustaining resilience beyond the project lifecycle.
Timeline: Ongoing
Sustainable Agriculture and Land Management
Sector Vision
This strategy supports climate-smart farming, crop diversification, and soil protection to improve food security and rural incomes. Frequent strong winds in the area cause erosion and loss of topsoil, so windbreaks and agroforestry are important tools for better land management.
Key Risks Addressed
- •Soil degradation
- •Extreme weather impacts
- •Water shortages
- •Erosion from strong winds
- •Loss of topsoil
- •Vulnerability of agricultural economy
Disaster Risk Reduction, Public Health and Infrastructure Resilience
Sector Vision
The municipality faces floods, wildfires, strong winds and heatwaves that damage buildings and disrupt services. This strategy suggests investments in early warning systems, cooling areas, shaded public spaces and improved emergency response. Upgrades like stronger riverbanks and improved drainage will help protect against floods and erosion, while also making the town more resilient to climate change.
Key Risks Addressed
- •Floods damaging buildings and disrupting services
- •Wildfires
- •Strong winds
- •Heatwaves affecting vulnerable populations
- •Infrastructure damage
- •Public health risks during extreme events
Inclusive and Climate-Responsive Urban Development
Sector Vision
Urban areas face growing pressure from heatwaves, poor air quality and limited green space. This strategy promotes the integration of green infrastructure, sustainable mobility and public space improvements to enhance liveability and reduce climate-related health risks.
Key Risks Addressed
- •Heatwaves in urban areas
- •Poor air quality
- •Limited green space
- •Climate-related health risks
- •Reduced urban liveability