World Journal of Environmental Research Volume 04, Issue 2, (2014) 61‐65 www.awer‐center/wjer/ Reconsidering environmental risks in the complex urban systems: Craiova (Romania) as a case study Cristian Draghici, Faculty of Geography, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania. Radu‐Daniel Pintilii, Faculty of Geography, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania. Daniel Peptenatu*, Faculty of Geography, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania. Mirela Paraschiv, CICADIT, University of Bucharest, Buchareast, Romania. Andrei Csaba Schvab, CICADIT, University of Bucharest, Buchareast, Romania. Suggested Citation: Draghici, C., Pintilii, R., D., Peptenatu, D., Paraschiv, M. & Schvab, A., C. (2014). Reconsidering environmental risks in the complex urban systems: Craiova (Romania) as a case study. World Journal of Environmental Research. 4(2), 61‐65. Received 28 August, 2014; revised 13 October, 2014; accepted 28 November, 2014. Selection and peer review under responsibility of Dr. Nehir Varol, Near East University, Cyprus. © 2014 SPROC LTD. Academic World Education & Research Center. All rights reserved. Abstract The urban settlements from regional importance in Romania impose in the national system of settlements by their human and material flows, causing serious imbalances in relationships between the components of territorial systems. The status they held, both during the communist period and today, determined a maladjustment process for other economic activities, natural environment being strongly affected by the industrialization process. Identifying environmental risk management specificities at the poles of regional development was achieved through detailed analysis carried out in the city of Craiova, a representative city for the high concentration of economic activities that put a pressure on the natural environment. Environmental risk analysis was done by setting up a database at NACE code (Classification of the National Economic Activities) on the dynamics of economic activities in the city of Craiova, and a series of indicators on the quality of the natural environment. From this statistical support a detailed analysis, on the dynamic pressure on the quality of the natural environment activities, has been done. The research aims to identify clear solutions to optimize relationships between natural and socio‐economic components of the complex territorial systems. Keywords: regional development pole, environmental risks, pollution, territorial management. *ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE: Daniel Peptenatu, University of Bucharest‐Faculty of Geography, 1, N. Balcescu, Bucharest, 010041, Romania. E‐mai address: peptenatu@yahoo.fr