ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTIONS IN THE POST-MEMORANDUM GREECE Changes and constants in a chronic phenomenon

Nikolaos YOYAS

Architect NTUA, Msc Environmental Design, Urban Planning PHD Candidate

01@yio.gr

Abstract

The ¨stirring¨ of the problem of illegal constructions in Greece, during the last decade, that followed the issue of five consecutive laws regarding their integration in the country΄s official urban planning in the period 2009-2017, has led to a short-lived race of declaring and legitimizing illegal, constructions on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of popular owners. This institutional reform becomes, increasingly, significant in combination with the contemporary fiscal reform and the relevant tax burdening of realty owners. The timeless popular investment shelter of building ownership, for the first time after WWII, loses its immunity and becomes an unbearable tax weight, transforming popular illegal constructions into the national tool for transforming the country΄s real-estate map. Our ability to translate the outcome of this ¨crisis¨, through our route through all the past time, will define the quality of life in our new urban environment, but most important, our own standard of living and our future.

Keywords: Illegal constructions, urban planning, economic crisis

JEL classification: R0, R5
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OPPORTUNITIES AND LIMITATIONS OF REGIONAL AUTHORITIES’ USE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION TOOLS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Galina Yakovlevna BELYAKOVA

Dr. habil. in Economics, Professor, Institute of Economics, Management and Nature Management, Siberian Federal University

vorobieva.t.n@yandex.ru

Tatyana Nikolaevna VOROBYEVA

Ph.D. Candidate (Economics), Reshetnev Siberian State University of Science and Technology, Auditor of the Accounting Chamber of the Krasnoyarsk Krai

vorobieva.t.n@yandex.ru

Abstract

The article outlines the authors’ understanding of the formulation of the regional economic policy. Within the framework of the research, the authors examine regional authorities’ willingness to successfully implement the strategic goals of economic development. The methodological basis of the systematic, logical, and comparative analysis allows examining the opportunities and limitations of regional authorities’ influence on the development of the regional economy. The article highlights the need for improving the existing instruments of public administration (state regulation) that can contribute to the development of the economy. In this regard, the authors emphasize the problem of defining sectoral and consolidated registers of public authorities’ regulatory competencies involved in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, and the formation of the state regulatory policy. The practical significance of the article is related to the possibility of using the research results to enhance regional authorities’ capabilities to influence the development of the economy.

Keywords: public administration instruments; regional economic development; public administration effectiveness

JEL classification: R58, R1, R5, R11, O1, O2, H83, H70
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SPATIAL PLANNING FOR URBAN RESILIENCE. ASSESSING CURRENT PROSPECTS THOUGH A MULTILEVEL APPROACH AND A USE CASE IN NORTHERN GREECE

Margarita ANGELIDOU

Dr. Architect-Urban Planner, School of Spatial Planning and Development Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

mangel@auth.gr

Christina BALLA

Dipl. Civil Engineer, School of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

chrimpal@civil.auth.gr

Anna MANOUSARIDOU

Dipl. Civil Engineer, School of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

annamanous@civil.auth.gr

Stylianos MARMELOUDIS

Dipl. Civil Engineer, School of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

marmelou@civil.auth.gr

Dimitrios NALMPANTIS

Dr. Civil Engineer, School of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

dnalba@civil.auth.gr

Abstract

This paper presents a part of ongoing research into the resilience potential of the western coastal front of Thessaloniki, a medium sized city in northern Greece. It aims to assess whether and to what extent the western coastal front of Thessaloniki, Greece, currently a partially developed area, features elements of resilience and what opportunities can be harnessed to this end. We set out by describing the concept of ‘urban resilience’ drawing upon recently published literature. As primary principles of resilience-driven development, we identify (i) the existence of resilience-focused spatial planning attributes (redundancy, modularity, buffering, connectivity, existence of legally binding land-use or zoning plans) (ii) the presence of a highly adaptive urban spatial management mix, (iii) reflectiveness and the ability to learn from past experience and resilience challenges and (iv) civic engagement, largely facilitated by means of smart city applications. We then shift our focus to the characteristics of the study area. In order to investigate the extent to which the identified from the literature factors affecting urban resilience apply in this area, a profiling of the study area is made, followed by an in-depth analysis of whether and how the identified principles of resilience-driven development are realized through the current urban, regional, transportation and environmental planning and management frameworks applicable to the area. We close with highlighting specific aspects of resilience that call for urgent attention and by making comments and recommendations regarding policy integration needs.

Keywords: Urban, Regional, Transport, Environment, Planning, Management

JEL classification: R00, R1, R4, R5, R11, R14, R19, R40, R49, R52, R58
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