An Approach to the Development Possibilities of Small Greek Settlements

The survival of small scale settlements is a prerequisite for any regional development policy concerning the Greek territory. Furthermore, as the population, economic and social changes in them during the last years have reversed every attempt for balanced development of this country, having led to the overcrowding of the main cities and the desertion of the countryside. This paper attempts to investigate the development possibilities of small settlements in Greece in conjunction with the more important spatial parameters involved in this prodecure. The main thesis of this reseacrh is that the basic infrastructure works and other services constitute a determinative factor in the economic growth at micro-local level and contribute to the survival of the small settlements. In methodological terms, first a record of small settlements is built up where their spatial features are registered according to the date of the more recent censunses. Second, the changes which occurred in the decade of 1991-2000 are examined. Third, the small settlements are grouped according to the above ascertained changes. Finally, the small settlements are mapped in order to assess the level of influence of the existing infrastructure works on the development procedure in relation to their typology.