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Spatial Patterns of Land Take in a Mediterranean City: An Assessment of the SDG Indicator 11.3.1 in the Peri-Urban Area of Thessaloniki

Author

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  • Athena Yiannakou

    (School of Spatial Planning and Development, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • George Zografos

    (School of Spatial Planning and Development, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece)

Abstract

Urban sprawl, characterized by continuous or discontinuous spatial patterns of artificial surface expansion, has been a common trend in most cities, even in those with longstanding compact features, such as cities in the northern Mediterranean region. This paper assesses the land take patterns in the peri-urban area of a typical compact city that experienced significant sprawl trends after the mid-1990s, which are closely linked to the specificities of planning regulations regarding the development in peri-urban settlements as well as outside planned areas. Using the rapidly suburbanized southern peri-urban area of Thessaloniki, Greece, as a case study, the paper analyzes the factors influencing the land cover change in the middle-class-led peri-urbanization during the period 2000–2018 and provides an estimate of the SDG indicator 11.3.1 “ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate”, a suitable indicator for monitoring spatial changes. The main conclusions of the study indicate that, during the period examined, the peri-urban zone investigated in the case study exhibited a higher rate of population growth compared to that of artificial surfaces, with the latter showing a higher change during 2006–2012. However, the spatial pattern of urban expansion displays a fragmented yet linear form, creating fragmented enclaves of agricultural land.

Suggested Citation

  • Athena Yiannakou & George Zografos, 2025. "Spatial Patterns of Land Take in a Mediterranean City: An Assessment of the SDG Indicator 11.3.1 in the Peri-Urban Area of Thessaloniki," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-23, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:5:p:965-:d:1646442
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    References listed on IDEAS

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