The Production of Cereals in Greece

Although there have been numerous studies examining the process of regional economic development using the Shift-Share analysis, the agricultural sector has received far less attention. One important implication of this methodology is the possibility to detect groups of regions with certain growth characteristics. This paper contributes to the literature by applying the technique of Shift-Share over the period 2000-2015 using data for the production of cereals across the 13 regions of Greece. One important conclusion to emerge is that, in the case of Greek regions, applying the taxonomic procedure of Shift-Share analysis, it is possible to identify the necessary policies for the improvement of agricultural production in each region.

Mechanisms for the Formation of Tourism Organization Models in Greece Through a Comparative Analysis of Ten Greek Destinations' Development

The scope of the chapter is to research and interpret how the organization models of tourism development have advanced in Greece at traditional, mainly coastal, tourist destinations. Using the notion of organization models, the chapter examines the size and category of tourism facilities and a series of qualitative characteristics, as well as the spatial “behavior” of the phenomenon.

Participation and in the Aegean Polynesia

The EU recognises that islands suffer from disadvantaging external natural and economic circumstances. As the need for public participation in decision-making increases, in order to address economic and social cohesion issues, both national and supranational authorities should take action to reinforce community involvement in policy. This research, using information from case studies from Greek islands, investigates the obstacles in promoting public participation in insular areas from a European perspective. The study was based on qualitative research methods and an extensive literature review. In areas with low cohesion, attempts for participation failed. In other areas, where social cohesion was maintained, there was mistrust towards local authorities but the members of the community were eager to collaborate with the researcher to promote participation. It was evident that there is urgency for adoption of national and European policies focused on the needs of the insular communities, with respect to their unique circumstances.

Social Impact of the Fiscal Crisis Upon the Livelihood Conditions of the Children of Greece

This chapter focuses on the effects of the fiscal crisis, which is assumed as a stressor or traumatic event, on children's emotional, physical and developmental well-being. Emphasis is placed on how individual, family and community risk factors and resources might be critical in increasing children's psychological vulnerability in times of such acute crisis. The key issues related to the provision of mental health services in times of increased pressure put upon them are discussed.

Urban and Population Growth

This study refers to cities of 3,000-10,000 residents and takes account of urban blots of cities according to aerial photos from 1940 until today. The population of each blot is matched with the population censuses every ten years, carried out by the Greek Statistical Authority. This chapter tries to answer the questions if the post-war housing development accompanied equally with the population development researching the similarity areas of the phenomenon, the classification, and the proportion of it in the Greek territory. The study demonstrates that the residential development in postwar Greece is positive fluctuating from minimum positive to extremely high. In contrast, the population in the corresponding urban footprint of the same chronologies seems to be large where there is high residential development but negative where cities presenting intermediate and low indicators.

A Framework for Reaching Consensus Under Uncertainty in Multi-Agent Negotiations

International negotiations often have to be reached and ratified even though the parties involved have diverging opinions and interests. One of the common protocols used in order to achieved consensus is to make use of a neutral agent, called the facilitator whose role is to assist the procedure by allowing communication equally among different parts and initiate the procedure by a proposal which is more likely to be accepted by all decision makers. A model of this procedure is presented, providing a good candidate for the initial proposal of the facilitator and quantifying various concepts such as the bargaining power of each party.

Environmental Tax Policy Reforms in the European Union

This chapter provides an overview of the environmental tax policy system in the European Union. The different kinds of environmental taxes, their quantitative use in the member states as well as the factors that influence the potential for tax reforms are explained. Reference is also made as to how environmental fiscal reforms can contribute to a Green Economy. The principles and the motivational factors for an Environmental Fiscal Reform (EFR) are explained. The experiences and the practices of European and Asian countries are presented and policy lessons learnt are drawn. Finally the chapter concludes by referring to the environmental fiscal reform prospects.

Social-Ecological Systems in Local Fisheries Communities

Even though the study of the commons has been expanding rapidly in the past years, and there have been multiple cases of successful local conservation initiatives, still, significant gaps in knowledge remain. The Social-Ecological Systems framework attempts to analyse the linkages between the “human system” (society) and the “natural system” (ecosystems). In every conservation attempt, the interactions and feedback between the two systems become evident. By examining thoroughly this relationship through the SES lens, we can develop a deep and holistic understanding of the processes that should be taken into consideration before the implementation of conservation actions. This study, through the exploration of the fisheries management procedures in Japan, attempts to develop an understanding of how the adoption of the Social-Ecological Systems approach could promote local development in the insular periphery of the developed world, in countries like Greece, where public participation in the decision-making processes is limited.

Incorporating Social Indicators of Sustainability in Public Policies for Environmentally Degraded Areas

This chapter will discuss the incorporation of sustainability indicators in the formation of public policies. We will focus specifically on policies that aim to tackle environmental degradation from the industry sector with subsequent socio-economic consequences for the local community and will analyze the area of the Asopos River in Greece as a case study.

Spatial Planning and Regional Growth

Spatial Planning focuses on planning and management of space, as a core axis towards sustainable development, as well as balanced sustainable development, closely related with economic determining factors, such as productivity, economic environment, investments and competitiveness. This paper attempts to analyze spatial planning framework and its contribution towards sustainable regional development. More precisely, this paper analyses the case studies of the region of the North Aegean and South Aegean, especially the islands of Lesvos, Rhodes, and Crete.