Preservation of the Mediterranean Identity: An Intra-City Analysis Towards a Macro-Regional Approach for the Characterisation of Urban Sustainability

Eleni Feleki,Christos Vlachokostas,Alexandra Michailidou,Charisios Achillas,Nicolas Moussiopoulos,Leticia Ortega

doi:10.3390/su10103551

Abstract

Globalisation combined with high urbanisation trends affects not only the traditional pillars of sustainability (environment, society, and economy), but also local identity. Customs and traditions are fading away and alienation is the result of new lifestyles deriving mainly from high interaction between locals and foreigners (focus on tourism). Facing the challenge of characterising urban sustainability, reflection on special characteristics of the urban fabric that are affected (spatial dimension of sustainability) is not always considered. Even though a lot of research is dedicated to the characterisation of urban areas’ sustainability, the element of local, regional, and macro-regional identity seems not to be systematically incorporated. This work attempts to develop and test a methodological framework to identify and prioritise the common symbolic elements that constitute the identity of a group of cities and that need to be sustained. The study focuses on the Euro-Mediterranean region. A survey is addressed to 64 scientists from five cities: Dubrovnik, Genoa, Rhodes, Valencia, and Venice. “Urban structure” is revealed as the most important element that constitutes the “Mediterranean identity”. Moreover, the level of threat deriving from mass tourism on the “Mediterranean identity” is estimated. The survey provides insight into the definition of the spatial dimension of sustainability and the determination/weighting of the case-specific component of an integrated urban sustainability assessment tool.

Highlights

Globalisation, defined as the increasing interaction of people through the growth of the international flow of capital, ideas, and culture, produces special impacts and deserves special attention [1]
The aims of the present study were (i) to identify the common symbolic characteristics that constitute the identity of the area under study, (ii) highlight their importance, and (iii) to estimate the level under which they are under threat, through a survey addressed in five cities that are considered to be highly representative of the Euro-Mediterranean area
Based on the abovementioned methodology, a survey was conducted with the aim of identifying and hierarchising the most important elements that characterise the area under study, while assessing their level of threat due to mass tourism

Summary

Introduction

Globalisation, defined as the increasing interaction of people through the growth of the international flow of capital, ideas, and culture, produces special impacts and deserves special attention [1]. Taking into consideration the predictions that 64.1% and 85.9% of the developing and developed world, respectively, will be urbanised by 2050 [4], in relation to the rapid growth in international trade, globalisation and tourism led to the creation of large ethnic subcultures, producing effects at the level of the urban macro-environment and affecting further structural changes [5]. Since mass market is individualised, all service providers offer specific and acceptable programmes for market groups Within these groups, i.e., sub-segments of market niches, consumers show similar preferences and a tendency for specific and homogeneous behaviour while requiring a certain level of product quality

Objectives

Results

Conclusion