This subfield focuses not only on how natural resources are preserved, but also on their optimal exploitation. The first perspective concerns the efficient use of resources, among which the most important is water (although it is not the sole focus). Water exploitation is relatively deficient, Romania being below EU average in what concerns basic infrastructure. Part of the systems that supply localities with water need to be improved in terms of bacteriological parameters, turbidity, ammonia, nitrate, iron levels, as well as treatment of waste dumped into water (by industrial actors or households). In this respect, one of the strategic directions of sustainable development at national level is the improvement of quality and access to water supply infrastructure in most inhabited areas, as well as the establishment of efficient regional structures for water services/wastewater management. The second perspective concerns the issue of protected areas and built-up areas (percentage of total land area), in view of efficiently conserving natural patrimony and of sustainable urban development. [read more]