Tag: Regional

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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Evaluating the risk of unemployment: Comparison between the two most populated Greek regions with the entire country

Stavros Rodokanakis
University of Bath

Irini Moustaki
London School of Economics and Political 
Science

Abstract :
The basic aim of this paper is to investigate the impact that educational level of individuals and participation in training programmes (apprenticeship, intra-firm training, continuing vocational training, popular training) have on their job prospects in the two most populated Greek regions, Attica and Central Macedonia, during the implementation of the first Community Support Framework  CSF (1989-1993). We also research the differences between the two regions under study and the entire country. More specifically, we  research what are the social and demographic characteristics that increase the chances of someone in the examined population finding a job, how those chances change (if they do) after the introduction of training courses and, also, whether University graduates, in contrast to most of the rest of the EU member states, face greater difficulties in finding a job than non-University graduates, as a series of studies or aggregate  statistics for Greece conclude. We use individual anonymised records (micro-data) of the Labour Force Survey (LFS) for both employed and unemployed at both national and NUTS-2 level. The findings of the logit model show that although concerning education the picture is mixed, the more trained a person did not improve his position in the labour market during the examined period.  read more

 

Keywords: Cross-sectional models, Labour economics policies, Human capital, Skills, Regional, urban  and rural analyses.

Some Problems of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Albanian Holiday Hotels

Evis Kushi
Xhuvani University, Elbasan,
Albania

Enkela Caca
Eqrem Cabej University, Gjirokaster
Albania

Abstract:
This paper provides an analysis of the main characteristics of MSMEs in this sector and identifies the existing problems using data from 83 holiday hotels during summer 2006 in Durres region, which is the major sun-and-beach segment in Albania. The results of the survey are in line with the general economic situation in Albania which is characterised by the dominance of micro and small-sized enterprises, mainly family businesses. More specifically, the majority of the holiday hotels in the sample (82 per cent) are micro and small hotels and only four per cent are big hotels. One of the main problems arising from this situation is that hotels of this size match only the demand of individual clients or small groups of tourists and are generally not able to work with big tourist groups organised in package tours by the western operators. Finally, this paper provides interesting recommendations for policy makers, public authorities and hotel managers in order to identify the priorities for the development of the holiday hotels sector and tourism in Albania. read more
 
Key words: MSMEs, holiday hotels sector, survey.