City In Greece Research Articles

Assessment of preschool children's sleep habits in relation to the time spent watching television

Aims To assess preschool children's sleep habits and television viewing habits, parents' perceptions about TV viewing and any correlation between the two. Methods The study was conducted between March and June 2018 in randomly selected kindergartens of a large city in Greece. A total of 100 pre-school children and their parents participated in the study. Two questionnaires, the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and the Children's Television-Viewing Habits Questionnaire (CTVQ), were validated in Greek and used for this study. Results Children's age (P=0.001), parents' educational level (P<0.001) and number of siblings (P<0.001) were found to significantly affect the time children spent watching TV daily. Fathers' age (P=0.004), number of siblings (P=0.001) and time children spent watching TV daily (P=0.007) were negatively correlated with CSHQ score. Conclusions Pre-school aged children spend a large amount of time watching TV, which results in altered sleep patterns, despite parents encouraging them to participate in other activities. Healthcare professionals should provide parents, teachers and children with evidence-based information and advice in order to lower the incidence of sleep disorders resulting from excessive time spent watching TV.

Pedestrians-Cyclists Shared Spaces Level of Service: Comparison of Methodologies and Critical Discussion

Pedestrians–cyclists shared spaces, sidewalks and streets are now a commonly implemented urban design solution in many cities, due to the willingness to promote sustainable mobility and the non-availability of public space. The proper design and management of these infrastructures requires an accurate evaluation of their performance. The most dominant evaluation metric is the level of service (LOS) and various methodologies have been proposed in the literature for its assessment in infrastructures that are being used by pedestrians, cyclists or by both of these two types of users. The present paper gathers and presents various methodologies, and it applies some of them on two pedestrians-cyclists shared spaces in a medium-sized city in Greece. The outcomes of the methodologies are being compared both among themselves and in relation to the opinions of the users, who participated in a questionnaire survey. The review of the literature, along with the application of some of the methodologies, leads to a fruitful discussion, which sets the groundwork for future research in the field of LOS and it also assists practitioners in selecting the appropriate methodologies for the assessment of pedestrian–cyclists shared spaces.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Mediterranean diet and 10-year cardiovascular disease incidence: the mediating role of adiponectin. Highlights from the ATTICA prospective (2002–2012) study

Abstract Background/Introduction The most updated set of guidelines (EASL-EASD-EASO 2016) suggests Mediterranean diet as a promising dietary pattern for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) management. Purpose The association between NAFLD and adherence to Mediterranean diet as well as their interaction on 10-year fatal/non fatal cardiovascular disease incidence were evaluated. Methods Study population included 1,514 men and 1,528 women (>18 years old) in our city in Greece, free of CVD recruited during the 2001–2002 period. Liver steatosis and fibrosis assessment indices were calculated at baseline and specific cut-offs were used to capture NAFLD. Level of adherence to Mediterranean diet was assessed through MedDietScore. National and international food databases were used to estimate total daily carbohydrate intake. The cut-off point of 35% of total daily energy intake was set to define low vs. high carbohydrate intake. Circulating adiponectin level was measured at baseline (4.0 (2.0) μg/mL). Results MedDietScore was inversely associated with NAFLD indices of both steatosis and fibrosis yet only in Triglycerides-Glucose index [Odds Ratio (OR)3rd vs. 1st MedDietScore tertile = 0.53, 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) (0.29, 0.95)] persisted in multi-adjusted models including adjustments for metabolic syndrome components, energy intake and overall and central obesity. This was more evident in men (p for sex interaction = 0.03). The protective role of Mediterranean diet was retained irrespective to the total carbohydrate content; however, sex-based stratified analysis revealed that in woman subsample only Mediterranean diet with low carbohydrate content (i.e. <35%) had an independent protective role against NAFLD presence [OR3rd vs. 1st MedDietScore tertile = 0.79, 95% CI (0.40, 0.96)]. NAFLD predicted CVD [Hazard Ratio (HR) = 3.01, 95% CI (2.28, 3.95)] in crude model as well as in multi-adjusted model [HR=1.37, 95% CI (1.10, 2.10)]. NAFLD effect on CVD remained significant only in MedDietScore below median [HR=1.38, 95% CI (1.00, 1.93)] whereas it was essentially null [HR=1.00, 95% CI (0.38, 2.63)] among subjects with lower score. Mediation analysis revealed that adiponectin was the strongest mediator of the examined associations. In particular, per 1 mg/dL serum adiponectin about 21% lower likelihood to have NAFLD was observed. Stratified analysis using the median value of adiponectin level (4.1 mg/dL) revealed that the inverse association between Mediterranean diet and NAFLD reached the level of significance only in case of adiponectin levels over the median values (OR (3rd vs. 1st MedDietScore tertile) = 0.69 95% CI (0.35, 0.98)). Conclusion Beyond the inverse association between Mediterranean diet and NAFLD several novelties were revealed; low-carbohydrate Mediterranean diet was more protective against NAFLD in women while an adiponectin-related mechanism was revealed. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Other. Main funding source(s): This work was supported by a research grant from Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society. The ATTICA study is supported by research grants from the Hellenic Cardiology Society [HCS2002] and the Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society [HAS2003]

Team Members' Roles in Home Healthcare: Evidence From the "AKEΣΩ-1" Project in Greece.

Home healthcare has just recently won the interest of policy decision makers in Greece and there is a lack of knowledge regarding the contributions provided by each team member. The aim of this study was to describe the home care interventions carried out by nurses, physicians, and physiotherapists during the AKEΣΩ-1 project. We examined the data from 1,094 patients who received home healthcare (HHC) from an interdisciplinary team from the Hellenic Red Cross HHC services in three major cities in Greece during a 20-month period. The visits and interventions by nurses, physicians, and physiotherapists were grouped and measured. Patients were mostly older adults (80.73%), women (68.37%) with medical problems (46.8%). Nurses conducted 70.76% of the visits, and provided 21,017 interventions. Physiotherapists conducted 22.83% of the visits and 4,627 interventions, and physicians conducted 6.4% of the visits and 2,117 interventions. Nurses provided a wide range of complex skilled nursing interventions that required knowledge of the community and ability to network. Physiotherapy and educating patients and caregivers were the most frequent interventions of physiotherapists. The main role of physicians was to conduct clinical exams. The Greek healthcare system is hospital- and physician-oriented. We documented that in HHC, nurses take a lead role in providing care, organizing services, and collaborating with other community services. From a health and social policy perspective, proper planning and staffing of HHC services are required. From an academic and licensing perspective, it is important to ensure that nurses working in the community have appropriate preparation.

Exposure to ambient polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and cardio-pulmonary endpoints in Greece

Background/Aim In the framework of the EU project HBM4EU on health effects of selected chemicals we investigated the associations between estimated ambient exposures to total Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and respiratory and cardiovascular health outcomes using the Greek National Morbidity and Risk Factors Survey (EMENO). Methods We used data for 1321 residents in Athens and 390 in Thessaloniki collected in the cross-sectional EMENO survey conducted in Greece in 2015-2016. We used as respiratory markers spirometry-derived FEV1 and FVC and as cardiovascular outcomes prevalent hypertension and mean arterial pressure (MAP) based on blood measurements. We estimated total PAH and B[a]P concentrations in ambient particles at the participant residential address using a location-specific conversion factor on concentrations of particles estimated by dispersion models that predicted annual average of PM2.5 in Greece for 2012, provided by the Ministry of Environment and Energy. We applied generalized linear models to investigate the associations accounting for the two areas and adjusting for potential confounders such sex, age, education, body mass index, smoking habits, exposure to tobacco smoking, alcohol intake and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. We accounted for the different locations (Athens/Thessaloniki) by the inclusion of a factor variable. Results We found that an IQR increase in B[a]P (0.2 ng/m3) and in total PAH (10.9 ng/m3) individualized exposure concentrations was associated with an increase in MAP by 0.54 mmHg (95% CI: 0.18 to 0.89) mmHg and by 1.96 mmHg (95% CI: 0.81 to 3.12) mmHg, respectively. Spirometry indices were not related to B[a]P or PAH exposure. Conclusions Using an estimated ambient exposure to B[a]P and total PAHs at the residence of the participants of a survey conducted in representative population samples in the two largest cities in Greece, we found that exposure was associated with elevated arterial blood pressure.

Nüfus Mübadelesi Sonrası Yunanistan Veria (Karaferye) Şehrinde Ev Olarak Kullanılan Camiler

Dinî yapı türleri arasında camilerin ibadet amaçlı kullanımları dışında, yeniden işlevlendirilmeleri dinî değerinden dolayı hassasiyet taşımakla birlikte, çok aykırı bir fonksiyonel kullanımı olmaması önemlidir. Balkanlardaki somut kültürel mirasımızın önemli erken tarihli örneklerinden Yunanistan’ın Karaferye şehrinde inşa edilen dört caminin, mübadele sonrası ev olarak halen kullanılması bu çalışmanın konusudur. Osmanlı mimari kültürel çeşitliğinin somut kanıtları camilerin farklı bir işlev verilerek, mesken/konut olarak kullanılması kültürel mirasın korunması çalışmalarının tartışmalı konularından biridir. Türkiye-Yunanistan arasında 30 Ocak 1923’te imzalanan Nüfus Mübadelesi Anlaşması sonrasında, Yunanistan’da bıraktığımız kültürel mimari envanterin uğradığı fonksiyonel farklılıkları izlemek, dönüştürülme sürecinin doğru tanımlanması ve camilerin kültürel miras içindeki yerinin belirlenmesi de büyük önem taşımaktadır. Bu nedenle, çalışmada dört örneği barındıran mevcut ulusal ve uluslararası bilimsel kaynaklarda yer almayan bu gizlenmiş camilerimizin, Karaferye (Veria) şehrinde halen konut olarak kullanımları ilk defa olarak tespit edilerek, ortaya çıkarılmıştır. Çalışmanın bulguları arşiv, literatür araştırması ve saha çalışmasına dayanmaktadır. Türkiye-Yunanistan Nüfus mübadelesi sonucunda Yunanistan’ın başka hiçbir şehrinde, Karaferye (Veria)’da ki kadar cami, konuta dönüştürülmemiştir.

Field Evaluation of Low-Cost PM Sensors (Purple Air PA-II) Under Variable Urban Air Quality Conditions, in Greece

Recent advances in particle sensor technologies have led to an increased development and utilization of low-cost, compact, particulate matter (PM) monitors. These devices can be deployed in dense monitoring networks, enabling an improved characterization of the spatiotemporal variability in ambient levels and exposure. However, the reliability of their measurements is an important prerequisite, necessitating rigorous performance evaluation and calibration in comparison to reference-grade instrumentation. In this study, field evaluation of Purple Air PA-II devices (low-cost PM sensors) is performed in two urban environments and across three seasons in Greece, in comparison to different types of reference instruments. Measurements were conducted in Athens (the largest city in Greece with nearly four-million inhabitants) for five months spanning over the summer of 2019 and winter/spring of 2020 and in Ioannina, a medium-sized city in northwestern Greece (100,000 inhabitants) during winter/spring 2019–2020. The PM2.5 sensor output correlates strongly with reference measurements (R2 = 0.87 against a beta attenuation monitor and R2 = 0.98 against an optical reference-grade monitor). Deviations in the sensor-reference agreement are identified as mainly related to elevated coarse particle concentrations and high ambient relative humidity. Simple and multiple regression models are tested to compensate for these biases, drastically improving the sensor’s response. Large decreases in sensor error are observed after implementation of models, leading to mean absolute percentage errors of 0.18 and 0.12 for the Athens and Ioannina datasets, respectively. Overall, a quality-controlled and robustly evaluated low-cost network can be an integral component for air quality monitoring in a smart city. Case studies are presented along this line, where a network of PA-II devices is used to monitor the air quality deterioration during a peri-urban forest fire event affecting the area of Athens and during extreme wintertime smog events in Ioannina, related to wood burning for residential heating.

Investigating the Citizens’ Views and Perceptions About the Urban Forest Infrastructure and Services of Komotini, Greece

Urban and suburban forests are vital for the citizens’ quality of life. Several beneficial functions offorests are provided to the city dwellers if the proper infrastructures and services are efficiently designed orimproved in urban forests. The case study investigates the urban forest of Komotini city in Greece according toits citizens’ views. The assess the existing infrastructures and with the use of hierarchical log-linear analysis thetypology of their visit, the infrastructural status and safety issues are associated to provide a better understandingin the citizens’ attitudes. Also factor analysis is applied, while random sampling was implemented in the research.Major findings reveal that certain policies should be designed for the effectively utilization of the urban forestfor fitness and recreation reasons. Also, the safety conditions ought to be enhanced as most of the citizens areunsatisfied.

Use of Green Resources and Designing of Public Spaces: the case of Nea Ionia City in Greece

This paper examines the case of designing public space through the exploitation of green resources. The public space we meet is a result of both social conditions and institutional framework. In recent years, in many points of Attica, the lack of public spaces is intense. However, where the public space is adequate, it often fails to be used by residents in the best possible way. In this context, the causes of the inactive public space will be examined as well as the spatial dimension of the problem in conjunction with the socio-economic and cultural mutations taking place. The main reason for which the public space is not successfully used is basically the lack of financial resources. These resources will be studied as to whether they can derive from the use of green taxes that a Municipality may receive in order to spend on better use of public space. The Municipality of Nea Ionia will be selected as an example of public urban space. What characterizes the area over time is its revitalization through restrictive actions and works. The Municipality has been affected like all other Municipalities of Attica due to the economic crisis and needs rejuvenation actions in terms of utilization of existing public spaces. At the same time, the aforesaid Municipality has the guarantees to develop as long as it has all the necessary resources for investment and exploitation. The above represent the main reasons for investigating the issue of gaps - without the operation of public spaces. Initially, an analysis of the issue of public urban space in Attica will be undertaken by presenting the most important events that have defined its role and its presence. These are socio-economic mutations which, in relation to the institutional framework, functioned catalytically in shaping the public space. Then a spatial and historical analysis of Nea Ionia is carried out with regard to its location and its form. It presents the framework of its design, the actions taken by public bodies, studies that have been carried out as well as architectural competitions. Subsequently, the emphasis is placed on its current spatial reality through the use of buildings and pedestrian movements when crossing it. It will still be a reference to the green taxes the municipality receives and how it can use them. In order to illustrate the current image of the Municipality, a field survey will be carried out in which the uses in the area will be captured. The issue relating to the Municipality with the public spaces of other Municipalities will also be approached from the point of view of spatial neighboring as well as the functional disintegration. The question arises as to who are the users and how they experience this public space in their everyday lives. In the text of its completion, reference will be made to the predominant discourse and the upcoming regeneration of the area based on the Municipality's revenue resulting from green taxes.

Influence of the Improvement in Thermal Expectation Levels with Adaptive Setpoint Temperatures on Energy Consumption

A sustainable use of active heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is crucial for minimum energy consumption. Currently, research studies are increasingly applying adaptive setpoint temperatures, thus reducing considerably the energy consumption without influencing comfort levels excessively. Most of them, however, are focused on the limit values of adaptive comfort standards without considering the tolerance in users’ adaptation capacity. This research study analyzed various tolerance ranges in the recent adaptive thermal comfort model from EN 16798-1:2019 used in setpoint temperatures. The study focused on the south of Europe, considering 47 cities in Spain, 18 cities in Portugal, 13 cities in Greece, and 20 cities in Italy. In addition, such cities were analyzed in three climate scenarios: present time, 2050, and 2100. The results showed that values prefixed by EN 16798-1:2019 for new buildings (tolerance of 0.00 °C) produced significant savings with respect to the static model and that each progressive improvement in users’ thermal expectations in 0.25 °C increased the energy consumption between 6.57 and 9.31% in all scenarios analyzed. Even applying a thermal tolerance of 1.50 °C, energy savings are currently produced with respect to the static model. This tendency increases in future scenarios until a thermal tolerance of 1.75 °C. The results of this paper provide greater knowledge about the possible energy increase that the improvement in users’ expectations would produce.

The Citizens’ Views on Adaptation to Bioclimatic Housing Design: Case Study from Greece

Bioclimatic housing design is regarded as an important pillar towards energy policies. Additionally, it is closely affiliated with the performance of energy efficiency of buildings. The citizens’ views and their adaptation to energy saving practices can be utilized as an important data base in order to design, improve and properly manage urbanization and environmental challenges in the residential sector. For the capitalization of the citizens’ views in Orestiada, the newest city in Greece, simple random sampling was applied on data that were collected via personal interviews and with the use of a structured questionnaire. Reliability and factor analyses were applied for the data processing along with hierarchical log-linear analysis. The latter was utilized for the statistical clustering of citizens into given distinct groups—clusters, arising by factor analysis. The main findings revealed that the citizens are merely aware of bioclimatic principles, while only a small percentage of 28.8% adopts some primary bioclimatic disciplines. Conclusively, it should be noted that there is a need for effective planning towards empowerment on energy efficiency in the residential sector of the city. Notwithstanding, it should not be disregarded the need for the incorporation of conceptual frameworks in urban planning. This is an approach that prerequisites public awareness and the stakeholders’ participation in decision making processes.

Hydraulic Simulation and Analysis of an Urban Center’s Aqueducts Using Emergency Scenarios for Network Operation: The Case of Thessaloniki City in Greece

The present work aims at developing a hydraulic simulation model for the aqueducts of Thessaloniki city in Greece to model the current operating state of the network, as well as its response to emergency conditions resulting from failure in one of them. Hydraulic simulations performed using WaterGEMS software in an extended period simulation (EPS) mode entail estimating water demand in all areas of the conurbation and calibrating the model under both normal and abnormal conditions. Calibration parameters set include the pipes’ roughness coefficients and head loss characteristics of throttle control valves (TCVs). Failure in the city’s aqueducts is confronted with the development and hydraulic simulation of five emergency scenarios of network operation, two of which consider possible interconnections of the studied aqueducts. These scenarios, which include appropriately defined intermittent water supply schedules for the aqueducts, are created on the basis of fair and equitable management of water among the different areas of the city, also assuming a small number of interventions/operations during the crisis. The simulations performed reveal quite a satisfactory compliance of the system’s operation with the defined schedules, and an improved management of limited water reserves in some areas of the network when considering interconnections of the city’s aqueducts.

How Caregivers of People With Dementia Search for Dementia-Specific Information on the Internet: Survey Study.

BackgroundDuring the last decade, more research has focused on web-based interventions delivered to support caregivers of people with dementia. However, little information is available in relation to internet use among caregivers in general, especially those caring for people with dementia.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the dementia-related internet use and factors that may be associated with its use among caregivers of people with dementia in Greece.MethodsSecondary data from the Greek Dementia Survey of the Athens Association of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders were collected from April to June 2017. A total of 580 caregivers of people with dementia participated in the study.ResultsThe majority of the caregivers reported that they had used the internet in the previous 3 months (84.1%, 488/580). Nearly half of the caregivers (47.5%, 276/580) reported that they had received dementia services online. Bivariate analysis showed that a dementia-specific search of information was associated with age, education, kinship, and years of care. Age (odds ratio [OR] 2.362, 95% CI 1.05-5.33) and education (OR 2.228, 95% CI 1.01-4.94) were confirmed as predictors, with younger caregivers and those with higher educational attainment being more likely to search for dementia-specific information. Use of the internet to search for dementia information was only related to hours of care. The internet use by caregivers within the previous 3 months was associated with variables such as age, education, occupation, kinship, years of care, and self-reported impact on physical and social health.ConclusionsCaregivers of people with dementia in Greece, as in the other southern European countries, are essential agents of the national health system. The existing short- and long-term respite care services are limited or nonexistent. Currently, caregivers receive mostly support and education from memory clinics and municipality consultation centers, which are mainly based in central cities in Greece. Despite the dementia awareness movement in Greece, there is still space to integrate the role of technology in the support and education of caregivers. Development of training programs for enhancing electronic health literacy skills as well as web-based services provision could support Greek caregivers in their everyday caring tasks.

A Combination of PROMETHEE and Goal Programming Methods for the Evaluation of Water Airport Connections

Greece is a country with a unique morphology. Having an extensive coastline and thousands of islands, the rise of the touristic industry is significant. The recent economic crisis as well as the increased infrastructure construction costs on the islands, created the urge to develop alternative and innovative transport systems. The seaplane, a modern, eco-friendly mode, allows effortless and quick connection between ports and airports from all over the country and distant coastal areas and islands. Seaplanes can be used by both residents and visitors or/and carry shipments. The research presented herein focuses on the development of a methodological framework for the evaluation of different areas for water aerodrome allocation, initially among different islands. Multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) was selected among the large spectrum of existing evaluation methods, because it was considered to be the most suitable approach as it gives the opportunity to use diverse criteria, both quantitative and qualitative. Significant criteria include the distance between the origin waterdrome location and protected natural areas, wave and wind data of each area, the operational cost of seaplanes and the number of passenger arrivals and departures. Weights are accorded to the criteria based on experts' opinion and applying goal programming approach. The evaluation of the alternatives takes place with the aid of the PROMETHEE method. The suggested approach is then implemented through a case study; the investigation of the potential connection of Thessaloniki, the second-largest city in Greece and a transportation hub for the southeastern Europe and the Balkans, with the Cyclades islands, in South Aegean Region.

A Survey on Factors Influencing Recycling Behavior for Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment in the Municipality of Volos, Greece

The status of waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) recycling in a middle-sized industrialized city in Greece has been investigated, through the application of structured questionnaires to 310 citizens from the municipal units of Volos and Nea Ionia, asking for their habits and opinions on this kind of recycling. The underlying factors affecting the intention of these citizens to perform WEEE recycling were investigated, applying aspects of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Results show that there is an underperformance of WEEE recycling with 57% of the sample answering that they have never participated in WEEE recycling. A number of behavioral factors, based on TPB predictors, affect the intention of these citizens to participate in WEEE recycling schemes, namely total attitude, willingness to pay, information status regarding WEEE recycling and subjective norm. These findings may aid in improving marketing strategies for WEEE recycling of the general public. Investigation into pro-environmental incentives in Greece and in other countries with similar WEEE recycling management is urgently needed.

Environmental impact and sustainability assessment associated with solid waste management in Patras, Greece: a useful guide for medium-sized cities

Due to the lack of appropriate policies in the last decades, Greece has delayed to adopt integrated practices on solid waste management. municipal solid waste (MSW) management has been recognised as one of the most urgent problems in Greece which was compelled by European Engagements to follow an efficient strategy. An integrated methodology for the MSW management of the Municipality of Patras, the third largest city in Greece, which involves the construction of a combustion unit, is developed and analysed. Furthermore, the estimated investment and operating cost of the suggested scenario and the implementation of a pilot composting scheme are comprehensively presented in the prism of current trends and the provisions of EU norms. This study is proposed as a useful guide for the waste management of the MSW in medium-sized cities which face similar waste management problems.

Public perceptions of the marine environment and behavioral intentions to preserve it: The case of three coastal cities in Greece

This study explored public perceptions of the marine environment in three coastal communities in Greece and further investigated intentions to adopt behaviors that contribute to marine conservation. We used the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to study the psychological determinants of behavioral intentions. The findings indicated that respondents have positive attitudes, moderate knowledge of marine issues, and they value the marine environment for the multiple ecosystem services that it provides. Litter and pollution from industry were considered as the most important marine threats, followed by fishing and farming. Participants suggested that informing the public and giving prominence to environmental education can contribute to marine conservation efforts. They felt that research centers and scientific community were more competent than governmental authorities and the private sector concerning the management and protection of the marine environment. Intention to adopt environmental behaviors was influenced by normative considerations, attitudes toward marine biodiversity and perceived behavioral control beliefs. The results may: 1) help inform policymakers to improve marine resource management towards a more sustainable relationship between people and the sea; 2) support the development of marine strategies that fit the social preferences, needs, and priorities to increase the likelihood of public support; and 3) support marine spatial planning efforts to uncover the intrinsic complexity of societal interactions with the marine environment. The findings further support policymakers that wish to promote behavior change through communication strategies that deliver environmental messages that focus on enhancing normative considerations, behavioral control beliefs, and corresponding attitudes.

City maps: Dreams, Art, Cartography, Planning

Abstract. The importance of cities becomes ever greater not only for the modification of the landscape, but also for the distribution of social classes. Poets, philosophers and artists have imagined ideal cities that could satisfy the need for a good quality of life for citizens. Since the most ancient civilizations poets and philosophers have imagined ideal cities, with road plots corresponding to the various social classes. In the final text I will describe some examples of ideal cities presented by Homer, especially in the description of the shield of Achilles, from Plato in the description of his Atlantis, etc. Atlantis (Ἀτλαντὶς νῆσος, "island of Atlas") is a fictional island mentioned in Plato's works Timaeus and Critias, where Plato represents the ideal state imagined in The Republic. The city depicted in the Homeric shield of Achilles, as an ideal form, centred and circular, competes with the other city scheme based on an orthogonal plan and linear structures. The form of the Homeric city has exerted a paradigmatic function for other cities in Greece and Rome. Among the best known images of ideal cities I will consider the Città del Sole (City of the Sun) by Tommaso Campanella and Utopia by Thomas More. There are many books of collection of paintings of cities (G Braun and F Hogenberg, 1966).The most complete and interesting is that of Caspar van Wittel or Gaspar van Wittel (1652 or 1653, Amersfoort – September 13, 1736, Rome). He was a Dutch painter who played a remarkable role in the development of the veduta. He is credited with turning city topography into a painterly specialism in Italian art (G Briganti, 1996). A rich collection of maps of Rome in the books by Amato Pietro Frutaz. The city "liquid dimension" represents the complexities and contradictions of civic communities increasingly characterized by fragmentation and social unease.

Living with difference: Refugee education and school segregation processes in Greece

Global challenges and recent changes in conflict areas in the Middle East, Asia and Africa are reasons for the contemporary forced migration into European countries, which have become places of destination or transit posts for a great number of refugees. Cities have become the focus of the socio-spatial debate, as the main units for receiving refugees, either in state camps or in social housing in city centres. In this article, the focus is on the social-spatial configuration of refugee accommodation in local communities and the way these formations generate urban and school segregation. We argue that the placement of urban refugees in large, camp-like structures with low housing standards, mainly in areas outside cities or in rural areas, provides ground not only for social exclusion and ‘territorial stigmatisation’ but also for de facto school segregation. Furthermore, the attempts to house refugees in small cities, through United Nations and NGO-supplied houses, may also raise concerns about the way dispersal policies are implemented, with the distribution of refugee children in specific schools as a result of territorial social-spatial segregation. In both cases, the school segregation of refugees is connected not only with the implications of immigration and education policies but also with the social practices of local communities and the social-spatial characteristics that determine school education. The empirical material of this study is based on information on the socio-economic profiles of neighbourhoods at the census tract level and on qualitative research, through in-depth semi-structured interviews in two different cities in Greece.

Radio Stations and Audience Communication: Social Media Utilization and Listeners Interaction

The purpose of the study was to explore how Greek radio stations utilize social media and Facebook in particular, and to look into factors that influence interaction with their audience. Twenty radio stations broadcasting from the two largest cities in Greece were selected according to their radio profile and number of followers. The duration of the study was two weeks, weekends included, with one month time lag between them. Results showed that the type of content seems to influence audience’s participation. Listeners had higher participation when they were reading information with content of their favourite radio broadcasting. Moreover, it was noticed that a specific time of the day might facilitate communication between radio stations and their listeners. Interaction patterns differ in relation to radio profile and radio stations broadcasting location. This paper represents a first attempt to investigate the ways Greek radio stations utilize social media to accomplish higher participation levels. An interaction index was introduced and used in order to better reflect radio station audience interaction. Given the relatively short observation period present these findings should be considered preliminary and exploratory. Longer data collection period combined with alternative social media such as Twitter, can provide a deeper understanding of the topic. Radio stations can utilize the present findings to develop a more effective strategy communication through social media.