Balanced Urban Development and Baltic Ports. The project is financed from funds of the Commonwealth Initiative INTERREG III B BSR. 18 partners from 5 states of the EU situated in the Baltic Sea region participate in it. The duration of the project is 2 years (2004 - 2005). The budget of the project is 1.5 million EUR.

The aim of the project was the development of ports and seaside towns as an integral part of transportation corridors, in compliance with regulations of balanced spatial integration in the Baltic Sea region. The project pays special attention to the elaboration and harmonizing of policies connected with reduction of the issue of impurities into the air, the reduction of noise levels and vibrations, sewage and waste material management connected with ships staying in ports in view of minimizing the effects of port activities on cities and the environment. The strategic aim was the signing in Autumn 2005 of the document titled “Baltic Memorandum in the Matter of Agreement in the Interest of Balanced Development of Ports”, containing voluntary commitments of all cities and ports from the region of the Baltic to elaborate initiation within the framework of the project of decisions concerning environmental management. The Memorandum was signed by partners of the project on 30-09-2005 in Turk during the General Conference of the Union of Baltic Cities.

The great achievement of the project is the preparation by the European Committee of the official document called “Recommendations of the European Committee” promoting a kind of electrical connection between boat and land worked out by partners of New Hanse, whereby ships during the stay in port will be able to switch off their engines and to use the energy provided by the port. In the opinion of KE it is worth recommending this method of limitation of the negative effects of port activity on the city and the environment.

Next planned activities within the framework of the project:

• Introduction of the New Hanse idea to representatives of city administrations of Szczecin and Swinoujscie and urging their signature of the Memorandum
• Promotion of the Memorandum in the Polish port environment, gaining of new signatories of the Memorandum
• Promotion of the ship-land electrical connection, as an innovative approach to matters of environmental protection in ports.