Value chain analysis of environmental management in urban areas –case study: metropolitan association of Upper Silesia

Environmental management in urban areas is a complex issue involving problems of natural resources conservation as well as general issues concerning the processes of urbanization and development. The wide range of these problematic aspects requires a strategic approach, relevant to the sustainable development principles along with the complex analysis of a given potential. Here, value chain analysis is used, which allows a holistic approach to the analyzed problem. This article presents a methodology, principles, and effects of the use of value chain analysis of environmental management in urban areas. On the basis of the Metropolitan Association of Upper Silesia, the expected values in the environmental field as well as entities involved in value creation were defined. Moreover, the model of value chain was presented and development stimulators were identified.