Industrial Ecology and Eco-Industrial Parks: Principles and Practice

Abstract

Industrial ecology and eco-industrial parks are two concepts with a relatively recent history that have been gaining more and more interest among specialists and authorities in their search for sustainable development. The paper presents the two concepts and explains the relation between them, with an emphasis on the theoretical nature of the first and the practical nature of the latter. The author indicates the goals of industrial ecology and shows how such goals may be put into practice through projects such as eco-industrial parks. The article reviews a part of the recent literature and studies regarding eco-industrial parks, and points out the limits concerning the applicability of industrial ecology's principles. As a final part, the author pleads for the study of industrial ecology in universities, especially in the developing countries.