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Towards Inclusive Waste Management in Marginalized Urban Areas: An Expert-Guided Framework and Its Pilot in Reșița, Romania

Author

Listed:
  • Cristina Iacoboaea

    (Faculty of Civil, Industrial and Agricultural Engineering, Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, 020396 București, Romania)

  • Andrei Damian

    (Faculty of Building Services, Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, 020396 București, Romania)

  • Ioana Nenciu

    (Faculty of Civil, Industrial and Agricultural Engineering, Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, 020396 București, Romania)

  • Mihaela Aldea

    (Faculty of Civil, Industrial and Agricultural Engineering, Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, 020396 București, Romania)

  • Oana Luca

    (Faculty of Civil, Industrial and Agricultural Engineering, Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, 020396 București, Romania)

  • Mihai Șercăianu

    (Faculty of Civil, Industrial and Agricultural Engineering, Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, 020396 București, Romania)

  • Ancuța Neagu

    (The Faculties and the Research, Development and Innovation Management Center, Technical University of Civil Engineering, 020396 București, Romania)

  • Emanuel Răuță

    (Department of International Relations and European Integration, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, 030167 București, Romania)

Abstract

This paper presents a structured, expert-informed framework for inclusive waste management in marginalized urban areas (MUAs), addressing critical challenges at the intersection of environmental governance, infrastructure inequality, and social exclusion. The framework was developed through extensive consultations with 37 international experts and tested through a deployment plan piloted in Reșița, Romania. The framework is adaptable to site-specific realities and is intended to evolve annually based on monitoring and feedback. With a strong focus on community engagement, institutional coordination, and policy alignment, the framework lays out an incremental implementation path. The Reșița pilot demonstrates how targeted, participatory actions—ranging from stakeholder mobilization and tailored education to infrastructure enhancements and policy reforms—can drive sustainable improvements in waste management and civic inclusion. This study contributes to the literature on environmental justice and urban sustainability by providing a dynamic, scalable model that can be customized to diverse socio-spatial contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristina Iacoboaea & Andrei Damian & Ioana Nenciu & Mihaela Aldea & Oana Luca & Mihai Șercăianu & Ancuța Neagu & Emanuel Răuță, 2025. "Towards Inclusive Waste Management in Marginalized Urban Areas: An Expert-Guided Framework and Its Pilot in Reșița, Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-26, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:11:p:5070-:d:1669843
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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