Rehabilitacija reka - Nužan odgovor na pogoršanje ekoloških i klimatskih uslova u gradovima / River rehabilitation - A necessary response to ecological and climatic conditions detorioration in cities

Rivers in settlemnts areas during urbanization process experinece most significant morphological and hydarulic changes. These changes are provoked by river training works which in the past did not consider the ecological and social role of the river as a part of the urban matrix. Therefore, degradation of rivers and their ecosystems occur that have very important social and human dimension in cities development process. Strengthening the ecological awarness of the society, stimulated by ecological and climatic conditions detoriation especially in cities, it is more than evident the necessity of river revitalization. Considering the basic systematic approaches – restoration, rehabiliation and remediation – it can be concluded that restoration (re-establishment of the prior ecological state) of urban rivers practically is not possible having in mind the anthropogenic impacts in wider river zones. However, in most cases rehabilitation is possible which will improve the ecological state of the river and will transform the river into a water body with desirable ecological, spatial plnning and social condition. River revitatlization measures in cities are integral part of water managemnt and water protection strategic documents in water sector. This paper deals with review the improper practices of river corridor urbanization in some cities and emphasizes the necessity and possibilities of urban river revitalization. New dimension and urgent actions need are the climate changes which impacted the water cycle and water regime more and more unfavourable (the flood hydrographs rising limb became more steep, more sudden and with greater peaks - low water more extreme and with longer duration). Water regime deterioration and ecological and human life worse conditions in cities, request simultaneous problem solution in river revitalization that will restore not only the river and its ecosystem but will improve the entire river corridor taken by the urban matrix. Some initial steps in river revitalization are defined, some inappropriate river training practices are discussed, but also some very good and successful revitalization and restoration practices world wide are presented as positive experiences. Key