diff --git a/.kiro/specs/beach-litter-mapping/tasks.md b/.kiro/specs/beach-litter-mapping/tasks.md
index 1ce521c..7a0bf1a 100644
--- a/.kiro/specs/beach-litter-mapping/tasks.md
+++ b/.kiro/specs/beach-litter-mapping/tasks.md
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@
   - Add profile editing functionality
   - _Requirements: 6.3, 6.4, 6.5_
 
-- [ ] 16. Implement notification preferences
+- [-] 16. Implement notification preferences
   - Create notification settings interface
   - Build area of interest selector with map
   - Implement radius configuration (1-50km)
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@
   - Create verification audit log
   - _Requirements: 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5_
 
-- [x] 31. Build user profile endpoints
+- [ ] 31. Build user profile endpoints
   - Create GET /api/users/:id for profile retrieval
   - Implement PATCH /api/users/:id for profile updates
   - Build GET /api/users/:id/reports endpoint
diff --git a/NOTIFICATION_PREFERENCES_IMPLEMENTATION.md b/NOTIFICATION_PREFERENCES_IMPLEMENTATION.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/server/src/services/userService.ts b/server/src/services/userService.ts
index 5821566..a71d474 100644
--- a/server/src/services/userService.ts
+++ b/server/src/services/userService.ts
@@ -98,8 +98,21 @@ export class UserService {
       throw new Error('User not found');
     }
 
+    // Parse areasOfInterest from JSON string if it exists
+    let areasOfInterest = [];
+    if (user.areasOfInterest) {
+      try {
+        areasOfInterest = typeof user.areasOfInterest === 'string' 
+          ? JSON.parse(user.areasOfInterest) 
+          : user.areasOfInterest;
+      } catch (e) {
+        console.error('Error parsing areasOfInterest:', e);
+      }
+    }
+
     return {
       ...user,
+      areasOfInterest,
       reportCount: user._count.reports,
       eventCount: user._count.eventRegistrations,
       stats: {
@@ -275,7 +288,22 @@ export class UserService {
       },
     });
 
-    return updatedUser;
+    // Parse areasOfInterest from JSON string
+    let areasOfInterest = [];
+    if (updatedUser.areasOfInterest) {
+      try {
+        areasOfInterest = typeof updatedUser.areasOfInterest === 'string' 
+          ? JSON.parse(updatedUser.areasOfInterest) 
+          : updatedUser.areasOfInterest;
+      } catch (e) {
+        console.error('Error parsing areasOfInterest:', e);
+      }
+    }
+
+    return {
+      ...updatedUser,
+      areasOfInterest,
+    };
   }
 
   /**
diff --git a/src/components/auth/NotificationSettings.tsx b/src/components/auth/NotificationSettings.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8fdb526
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/auth/NotificationSettings.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,273 @@
+import { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
+import { MapContainer, TileLayer, Circle, useMapEvents } from 'react-leaflet';
+import 'leaflet/dist/leaflet.css';
+import L from 'leaflet';
+
+// Fix Leaflet default marker icon issue
+import markerIcon2x from 'leaflet/dist/images/marker-icon-2x.png';
+import markerIcon from 'leaflet/dist/images/marker-icon.png';
+import markerShadow from 'leaflet/dist/images/marker-shadow.png';
+
+delete (L.Icon.Default.prototype as any)._getIconUrl;
+L.Icon.Default.mergeOptions({
+  iconUrl: markerIcon,
+  iconRetinaUrl: markerIcon2x,
+  shadowUrl: markerShadow,
+});
+
+export interface AreaOfInterest {
+  lat: number;
+  lng: number;
+  radius: number; // in kilometers
+}
+
+export interface NotificationPreferences {
+  notificationEmail: boolean;
+  notificationInApp: boolean;
+  areasOfInterest: AreaOfInterest[];
+}
+
+interface NotificationSettingsProps {
+  preferences: NotificationPreferences;
+  onSave: (preferences: NotificationPreferences) => Promise<void>;
+  onCancel: () => void;
+}
+
+// Component to handle map clicks
+function MapClickHandler({ onMapClick }: { onMapClick: (lat: number, lng: number) => void }) {
+  useMapEvents({
+    click: (e) => {
+      onMapClick(e.latlng.lat, e.latlng.lng);
+    },
+  });
+  return null;
+}
+
+export function NotificationSettings({ preferences, onSave, onCancel }: NotificationSettingsProps) {
+  const [localPreferences, setLocalPreferences] = useState<NotificationPreferences>(preferences);
+  const [saving, setSaving] = useState(false);
+  const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [selectedAreaIndex, setSelectedAreaIndex] = useState<number | null>(null);
+
+  // Default map center (Ireland)
+  const defaultCenter: [number, number] = [53.1424, -7.6921];
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    setLocalPreferences(preferences);
+  }, [preferences]);
+
+  const handleAddArea = (lat: number, lng: number) => {
+    const newArea: AreaOfInterest = {
+      lat,
+      lng,
+      radius: 10, // Default 10km radius
+    };
+    setLocalPreferences({
+      ...localPreferences,
+      areasOfInterest: [...localPreferences.areasOfInterest, newArea],
+    });
+    setSelectedAreaIndex(localPreferences.areasOfInterest.length);
+  };
+
+  const handleRemoveArea = (index: number) => {
+    const newAreas = localPreferences.areasOfInterest.filter((_, i) => i !== index);
+    setLocalPreferences({
+      ...localPreferences,
+      areasOfInterest: newAreas,
+    });
+    if (selectedAreaIndex === index) {
+      setSelectedAreaIndex(null);
+    }
+  };
+
+  const handleRadiusChange = (index: number, radius: number) => {
+    const newAreas = [...localPreferences.areasOfInterest];
+    const currentArea = newAreas[index];
+    if (currentArea) {
+      newAreas[index] = { ...currentArea, radius };
+      setLocalPreferences({
+        ...localPreferences,
+        areasOfInterest: newAreas,
+      });
+    }
+  };
+
+  const handleSave = async () => {
+    try {
+      setSaving(true);
+      setError(null);
+      await onSave(localPreferences);
+    } catch (err) {
+      setError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Failed to save preferences');
+    } finally {
+      setSaving(false);
+    }
+  };
+
+  const mapCenter: [number, number] = 
+    localPreferences.areasOfInterest.length > 0 && localPreferences.areasOfInterest[0]
+      ? [localPreferences.areasOfInterest[0].lat, localPreferences.areasOfInterest[0].lng]
+      : defaultCenter;
+
+  return (
+    <div className="space-y-6">
+      <div>
+        <h3 className="text-lg font-semibold text-gray-900 mb-4">Notification Preferences</h3>
+        
+        {/* Notification Type Toggles */}
+        <div className="space-y-3 mb-6">
+          <label className="flex items-center space-x-3">
+            <input
+              type="checkbox"
+              checked={localPreferences.notificationEmail}
+              onChange={(e) =>
+                setLocalPreferences({
+                  ...localPreferences,
+                  notificationEmail: e.target.checked,
+                })
+              }
+              className="h-4 w-4 text-blue-600 focus:ring-blue-500 border-gray-300 rounded"
+            />
+            <span className="text-sm text-gray-700">
+              Email notifications for new reports and events
+            </span>
+          </label>
+
+          <label className="flex items-center space-x-3">
+            <input
+              type="checkbox"
+              checked={localPreferences.notificationInApp}
+              onChange={(e) =>
+                setLocalPreferences({
+                  ...localPreferences,
+                  notificationInApp: e.target.checked,
+                })
+              }
+              className="h-4 w-4 text-blue-600 focus:ring-blue-500 border-gray-300 rounded"
+            />
+            <span className="text-sm text-gray-700">
+              In-app notifications for new reports and events
+            </span>
+          </label>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      {/* Areas of Interest */}
+      <div>
+        <h4 className="text-md font-semibold text-gray-900 mb-2">Areas of Interest</h4>
+        <p className="text-sm text-gray-600 mb-4">
+          Click on the map to add areas where you want to receive notifications about new reports and events.
+        </p>
+
+        {/* Map */}
+        <div className="h-96 rounded-lg overflow-hidden border border-gray-300 mb-4">
+          <MapContainer
+            center={mapCenter}
+            zoom={7}
+            style={{ height: '100%', width: '100%' }}
+          >
+            <TileLayer
+              attribution='&copy; <a href="https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright">OpenStreetMap</a> contributors'
+              url="https://{s}.tile.openstreetmap.org/{z}/{x}/{y}.png"
+            />
+            <MapClickHandler onMapClick={handleAddArea} />
+            
+            {/* Render circles for each area of interest */}
+            {localPreferences.areasOfInterest.map((area, index) => (
+              <Circle
+                key={index}
+                center={[area.lat, area.lng]}
+                radius={area.radius * 1000} // Convert km to meters
+                pathOptions={{
+                  color: selectedAreaIndex === index ? '#3b82f6' : '#6b7280',
+                  fillColor: selectedAreaIndex === index ? '#3b82f6' : '#6b7280',
+                  fillOpacity: 0.2,
+                }}
+                eventHandlers={{
+                  click: () => setSelectedAreaIndex(index),
+                }}
+              />
+            ))}
+          </MapContainer>
+        </div>
+
+        {/* Areas List */}
+        {localPreferences.areasOfInterest.length > 0 && (
+          <div className="space-y-3">
+            <h5 className="text-sm font-medium text-gray-700">Your Areas ({localPreferences.areasOfInterest.length})</h5>
+            {localPreferences.areasOfInterest.map((area, index) => (
+              <div
+                key={index}
+                className={`p-3 rounded-lg border ${
+                  selectedAreaIndex === index
+                    ? 'border-blue-500 bg-blue-50'
+                    : 'border-gray-200 bg-gray-50'
+                }`}
+              >
+                <div className="flex items-center justify-between mb-2">
+                  <span className="text-sm font-medium text-gray-900">
+                    Area {index + 1}
+                  </span>
+                  <button
+                    onClick={() => handleRemoveArea(index)}
+                    className="text-red-600 hover:text-red-800 text-sm"
+                  >
+                    Remove
+                  </button>
+                </div>
+                <div className="text-xs text-gray-600 mb-2">
+                  Location: {area.lat.toFixed(4)}, {area.lng.toFixed(4)}
+                </div>
+                <div className="flex items-center space-x-2">
+                  <label className="text-xs text-gray-700">Radius (km):</label>
+                  <input
+                    type="range"
+                    min="1"
+                    max="50"
+                    value={area.radius}
+                    onChange={(e) => handleRadiusChange(index, parseInt(e.target.value))}
+                    className="flex-1"
+                  />
+                  <span className="text-xs font-medium text-gray-900 w-12">
+                    {area.radius} km
+                  </span>
+                </div>
+              </div>
+            ))}
+          </div>
+        )}
+
+        {localPreferences.areasOfInterest.length === 0 && (
+          <p className="text-sm text-gray-500 italic">
+            No areas added yet. Click on the map to add your first area of interest.
+          </p>
+        )}
+      </div>
+
+      {/* Error Message */}
+      {error && (
+        <div className="p-3 bg-red-50 border border-red-200 rounded-md">
+          <p className="text-sm text-red-600">{error}</p>
+        </div>
+      )}
+
+      {/* Action Buttons */}
+      <div className="flex justify-end space-x-3 pt-4 border-t border-gray-200">
+        <button
+          onClick={onCancel}
+          disabled={saving}
+          className="px-4 py-2 text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 bg-white border border-gray-300 rounded-md hover:bg-gray-50 disabled:opacity-50"
+        >
+          Cancel
+        </button>
+        <button
+          onClick={handleSave}
+          disabled={saving}
+          className="px-4 py-2 text-sm font-medium text-white bg-blue-600 rounded-md hover:bg-blue-700 disabled:opacity-50"
+        >
+          {saving ? 'Saving...' : 'Save Preferences'}
+        </button>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/src/components/auth/index.ts b/src/components/auth/index.ts
index f2caa70..e22706f 100644
--- a/src/components/auth/index.ts
+++ b/src/components/auth/index.ts
@@ -2,3 +2,5 @@ export { ProtectedRoute } from './ProtectedRoute';
 export { UserProfile } from './UserProfile';
 export { SignInPage } from './SignInPage';
 export { SignUpPage } from './SignUpPage';
+export { NotificationSettings } from './NotificationSettings';
+export type { NotificationPreferences, AreaOfInterest } from './NotificationSettings';
diff --git a/src/pages/UserProfilePage.tsx b/src/pages/UserProfilePage.tsx
index 92a4a97..dd4c40a 100644
--- a/src/pages/UserProfilePage.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/UserProfilePage.tsx
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { useAuth } from '@/hooks/useAuth';
 import { userService, type UserProfile, type UserActivity } from '@/services/userService';
 import type { Report, CleanupEvent } from '@/types';
 import { MapContainer, TileLayer, Marker, Popup } from 'react-leaflet';
+import { NotificationSettings, type NotificationPreferences } from '@/components/auth';
 import 'leaflet/dist/leaflet.css';
 import L from 'leaflet';
 
@@ -30,13 +31,18 @@ export function UserProfilePage() {
   const [activity, setActivity] = useState<UserActivity[]>([]);
   const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true);
   const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
-  const [activeTab, setActiveTab] = useState<'overview' | 'reports' | 'events' | 'activity'>('overview');
+  const [activeTab, setActiveTab] = useState<'overview' | 'reports' | 'events' | 'activity' | 'notifications'>('overview');
   const [isEditing, setIsEditing] = useState(false);
   const [editForm, setEditForm] = useState({
     firstName: '',
     lastName: '',
     username: '',
   });
+  const [notificationPreferences, setNotificationPreferences] = useState<NotificationPreferences>({
+    notificationEmail: true,
+    notificationInApp: true,
+    areasOfInterest: [],
+  });
 
   const isOwnProfile = currentUser?.id === userId;
 
@@ -66,7 +72,12 @@ export function UserProfilePage() {
 
       setProfile(profileData);
       setReports(reportsData);
-      setEvents(eventsData);
+      // Handle both array and object response formats
+      if (Array.isArray(eventsData)) {
+        setEvents({ registered: eventsData, organized: [] });
+      } else {
+        setEvents(eventsData);
+      }
       setActivity(activityData);
       
       setEditForm({
@@ -74,6 +85,13 @@ export function UserProfilePage() {
         lastName: profileData.lastName || '',
         username: profileData.username || '',
       });
+
+      // Set notification preferences from profile
+      setNotificationPreferences({
+        notificationEmail: profileData.notificationEmail ?? true,
+        notificationInApp: profileData.notificationInApp ?? true,
+        areasOfInterest: profileData.areasOfInterest || [],
+      });
     } catch (err) {
       setError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Failed to load profile');
     } finally {
@@ -108,6 +126,30 @@ export function UserProfilePage() {
     }
   };
 
+  const handleSaveNotificationPreferences = async (preferences: NotificationPreferences) => {
+    if (!userId) return;
+
+    try {
+      await userService.updateNotificationPreferences(userId, preferences);
+      setNotificationPreferences(preferences);
+      setActiveTab('overview'); // Return to overview after saving
+    } catch (err) {
+      throw err; // Let NotificationSettings component handle the error
+    }
+  };
+
+  const handleCancelNotificationSettings = () => {
+    // Reset to current preferences
+    if (profile) {
+      setNotificationPreferences({
+        notificationEmail: profile.notificationEmail ?? true,
+        notificationInApp: profile.notificationInApp ?? true,
+        areasOfInterest: profile.areasOfInterest || [],
+      });
+    }
+    setActiveTab('overview');
+  };
+
   const calculateImpactScore = () => {
     if (!profile) return 0;
     // Impact score calculation: reports * 10 + events attended * 20
@@ -254,7 +296,7 @@ export function UserProfilePage() {
         <div className="bg-white rounded-lg shadow-md mb-6">
           <div className="border-b border-gray-200">
             <nav className="flex -mb-px">
-              {(['overview', 'reports', 'events', 'activity'] as const).map((tab) => (
+              {(['overview', 'reports', 'events', 'activity', ...(isOwnProfile ? ['notifications'] as const : [])] as const).map((tab) => (
                 <button
                   key={tab}
                   onClick={() => setActiveTab(tab)}
@@ -503,6 +545,14 @@ export function UserProfilePage() {
                 )}
               </div>
             )}
+
+            {activeTab === 'notifications' && isOwnProfile && (
+              <NotificationSettings
+                preferences={notificationPreferences}
+                onSave={handleSaveNotificationPreferences}
+                onCancel={handleCancelNotificationSettings}
+              />
+            )}
           </div>
         </div>
       </div>
diff --git a/src/services/userService.ts b/src/services/userService.ts
index 17b142b..9934d7a 100644
--- a/src/services/userService.ts
+++ b/src/services/userService.ts
@@ -5,6 +5,13 @@ import type { User, Report, CleanupEvent } from '@/types';
 export interface UserProfile extends User {
   reportCount: number;
   eventCount: number;
+  notificationEmail: boolean;
+  notificationInApp: boolean;
+  areasOfInterest: Array<{
+    lat: number;
+    lng: number;
+    radius: number;
+  }>;
 }
 
 export interface UserActivity {