Interactions between coastal cities and adjacent protected ecosystems. The case of Preveza and the Amvrakikos Gulf

The coastal area of Preveza, like much of the country, is under intense pressure from urban development, seasonal housing, tourism, and other land-based and marine activities, including those related to the primary sector. The city lies in close proximity to a unique and environmentally sensitive ecosystem: the Amvrakikos Gulf. Its wetland complex positions it as one of the largest and most ecologically significant wetlands in Greece and in Southern Europe. The city aims to pursue economic growth by leveraging the nearby environmental asset, while simultaneously safeguarding the adjacent ecosystem. Within this context, the present article focuses on the relationship of coexistence and the examination of the interactions between the development trajectory of Preveza and the preservation of the protected wetland area of the Amvrakikos Gulf. The research objective is to determine whether a method can be recognized that, by considering the protected ecosystem as a local resource for the settlement, can substantiate conditions that promote the sustainable development of this particular duality.