Understanding the advancement of sustainable development is critical to managing human activities to avoid the overexploitation of resources and pollution of the environment beyond tolerable levels. Sustainable development involves not only preservation and care of the environment, but also recognition of the complex relations between economic, social and living systems. Environmental Modeling for Sustainable Regional Development: System Approaches and Advanced Methods presents processing methods and their applications, which are practical for decision making and task management at the regional level as well as for scientific studies in sustainable development assessment. This book serves as a reference guide for post-graduate students in the field of management as well as a critical guide for managers, government officials, and information professionals.

Providing a comprehensive, descriptive analysis of a wide range of Central and East European countries, this updated paperback edition offers an invaluable study of pollution problems and effects on the quality of life. Revisions include: * new chapter on Slovakia, demonstrating the implementation of a number of practical measures which have made a considerable impact on environmental problems that arose under communism and have been tackled during the transition. * new concluding chapter which provides an important overview of recent developments in Eastern Europe and discusses topical issues such as health hazards and methods of charging polluters for environmental damage.