Industrial Location in Greece: Fostering Green Transition and Synergies between Industrial and Spatial Planning Policies

Abstract

Greece represents a very peculiar case of industrial development due to a series of historical evolutions. Hence, the present paper aims to discuss the shift from the unregulated and unplanned spatial development paradigm of productive activities to the one of modern “Business parks” (hereinafter BPs), expected to adapt to international standards the location and function of industrial activity, in the Greek territory. Inherent problems and constraints hampering the modernization of industrial development are presented and specific policy recommendations are formulated, with the aim of embedding the industrial parks in sustainable territorial development. This is done through a four-step methodology including (a) an inventory of BPs from the international milieu and the review of current trends in view of the green transition, (b) an analysis of the effects of Greek regulations on the development of the so-called “Organized Receptors of Manufacturing and Business Activities” (OYMEDs) and the suggestion of guiding principles as BPs become more attractive, and (c) the construction of a system of indicators that may govern the transformation of existing parks into eco-industrial parks (EIPs) and monitor their multiple performances. Lastly, an attempt to apply this system of indicators on a national and local level was carried out. Findings show that the regulatory and operational framework concerning BPs in Greece requires a comprehensive revision so as to (a) increase synergies of BPs with the implemented or planned territorial policies, (b) establish collaborative mechanisms acting as catalysts of creativity and innovation, c) introduce a system of indicators to monitor the development of BPs on the basis of the international framework for eco-industrial parks (EIPs), and (d) pursue an evidence-based industrial policy on national and local levels. A critical outcome is also that strong coordination between spatial and industrial policy is needed, through a high-level inter-ministerial body.

The role of eco-industrial parks in promoting circular economy technologies in the regions

“…The article considers eco-industrial park activities in the field of circular economy for 15 regions of the world, which exceeds the number of regions discussed in the literature review [5][6][7][8][9][10][11].…”

“…The papers by S. Shehab, M. Farooque, H. Hong and Y. Liu revealed the leading role of eco-industrial parks in the application of circular economy technologies [1][2][3][4]. The development of eco-industrial parks in different regions of the world and the use of circular economy technologies in them were discussed in papers by T. Vu (Vietnam), J. Ong (Malaysia), D. Zeng, W. Xun (China), A. Rweyendela (Africa), A. Gourgiotis (Greece), M. Sessa (Italy) [5][6][7][8][9][10][11].…”

Identification of Industrial Heat Source Production Areas Based on SDGSAT-1 Thermal Infrared Imager

“…(2) Optical features Optical features are extracted from optical remote sensing images by sensors that detect electromagnetic radiation in the visible, near-infrared, and sometimes shortwave infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum [44]. They provide valuable information about the Earth's surface, especially land cover information [45]. They are essential in various remote sensing applications, including land cover classification, vegetation health monitoring, and the detection of land use and land cover changes [46][47][48].…”

Knowledge Map of Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development: A Visual Analysis Using CiteSpace

“…From an urban perspective, such as accessibility optimization [77], commute time reduction [78,79], land mismatch for building a compact city [80,81], as well as enhancing the quality of urban life, fostering urban growth, facilitating contraction, reducing edge problems [82], establishing ventilated corridors [83], fostering regional resilience and flexibility [84][85][86], and promoting city resource circulation [87,88], scientific spatial planning is required. In many studies, we can see that various institutions or researchers try to use spatial planning to coordinate urban population [10], land [89,90], and industry to achieve ecological optimization of land use [91,92].…”