Course information

The course explores regional development, spatial planning, and policy in national and regional contexts, with a focus on Greece. More specifically, it aims to provide students with a structured understanding of the forces that shape cities, particularly in cases of contested urbanism and geographies of the Mediterranean region. In that context, international guidelines and key theories in geography, spatial planning, economics, and developmental studies are compared. Students will delve into housing and settlement planning policy, the roles of the state, market, and civil society, as well as the impacts of urban sprawl and industrial activities on peri-urban spaces. The course also covers Greece’s spatial planning framework, development models, housing policies, transportation planning, and urban resilience. Through case studies and participatory processes, students will learn to apply various planning methodologies. By the end of the course, students will understand urban networks, settlement classifications, and the tools needed for effective spatial planning.