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The Evolution Of The Greek Urban Centers: 1951-2011

Author

Listed:
  • Alexandra SCHAFFAR

    (LEAD, University of Toulon)

  • Sotiris PAVLEAS

    (Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly)

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to study the evolution of urban hierarchies and the nature of urban growth processes in Greece from 1951 to 2011 using data provided by the Greek Statistical Authority. The paper delivers three series of results: firstly, when using an administrative definition of the city, the Greek cities converge towards a middle city-size population; secondly, when taking into account spatial dependence, the sizes of Greek cities still converge but this movement starts in the middle of the period, after 1981. In both cases, the preeminence of the Athens agglomeration slowly decreases; finally, the paper delivers evidence concerning the changes that affect urban demographical trends in Greece over the last decade. These changes can be related to the economic crisis and the profound socioeconomic upheaval that Greece has undergone since the beginning of the 21st century.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandra SCHAFFAR & Sotiris PAVLEAS, 2014. "The Evolution Of The Greek Urban Centers: 1951-2011," Region et Developpement, Region et Developpement, LEAD, Universite du Sud - Toulon Var, vol. 39, pages 87-104.
    • Handle: RePEc:tou:journl:v:39:y:2014:p:87-104
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    URBAN GROWTH; URBAN HIERARCHIES; ECONOMIC CRISIS; GREECE;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts
    • R10 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - General
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population

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