City In Greece Research Articles

Effects of Climate Change on the Energy Required for the Treatment of Ventilation Fresh Air in HVAC Systems the Case of Athens and Thessaloniki

All current observations as well as projected changes suggest an increase of ambient air temperature, especially in large urban areas. The energy consumption for ventilation will be affected by the impacts of this change in climate because ventilation loads are varying directly with the local ambient temperature and humidity conditions. This is very important in urban areas because mechanicalventilation systems, which consume significant amounts of energy, are installed in most of the buildings of the tertiary sector.In planning the ventilation of a building, the ventilation air supplyand the energy that will be consumed should be known to the designer of the HVAC system from the initial stages of the task, in order to estimate the operating costs of the system. A user-friendly toolfor estimating the ventilation energyrequirements is the “ventilation load index (VLI)”. In this work, an analysis that shows the changes of the VLI during the last three decades (1983-2012) for the two largest cities in Greece, namely Athens and Thessaloniki, is presented. Using appropriate calculation formulasand climatic data,VLIin heating and cooling period,and for 8, 16 and 24-hour operation periods of ventilation systemis calculated. The results are synoptically presented in tables and diagrams. The study shows that the energy demands in cooling period are increased, more intensively during nighttime, and in heating period are decreased. However, the total ventilation energy demandson a yearly basis are decreased from decade to decade.

Factors affecting the propensity to cycle - the case of Thessaloniki

Abstract Societies today invest in transport sustainability by investigating and promoting smarter and greener transport solutions such as intelligent transport systems, electric vehicles, cycling and walking through targeted strategies. An indicator of the success of such strategies is their uptake from the travellers/users. Under this light, this paper investigates the factors affecting travellers’ propensity to cycle in the city of Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece. A questionnaire survey has been developed to investigate citizens’ attitudes concerning cycling including questions on current trip patterns and characteristics of the respondents, opportunities and barriers for cycling, preferences regarding cycling infrastructure and attitudes considering the transport mode in general. A stated preference experiment is also included in the questionnaire. In the later, the propensity of the respondent to cycle is explored under specific scenarios for different trip purposes, trip lengths and supporting cycling infrastructure. Discrete choice analysis is performed, and a random-effect ordered probit model is developed describing the contributory factors for cycling amongst the population. Results indicate that the trip purpose, trip distance and cycling infrastructure are among the determinants that influence cycle use, as well as specific participant characteristics and attitudes.

Sustainable mobility and physical activity: a meaningful marriage

Abstract Since 2008 more than half of world’s population lives in cities some of which grow bigger every day. The number of people requiring all transport modes is also increasing rampantly, with all possible consequences such as pollution, lost useful working or leisure hours, etc. Combined with climate change this can create and unbearable situation as was evident in Beijing, in December 2015. One of the major responses to these has been the effort to create compact cities and sustainable transport. Combining both, means the use of public transport, or physical transport modes (walking, cycling, etc.) This paper in the context of a wider international research, SPAcE (Supporting Policy and Action for Active Environments) deals with the latter specific case of the physical transport modes, considering them as offering much more than just a version of sustainable transport. In particular, the paper highlights the merits of physical mobility not only from the aspect of transport sustainability but also from the point of view of physical activity and exercise that, in addition, has a multitude positive impacts on human health. The positive effects of physical exercise on health have been well-documented to prevent several diseases and to decrease relevant risks. Further on, a physically active lifestyle enhances feelings of energy, well-being and quality of life (American College of Sports Medicine, 2011). Drawing from the examples of two major interventions in Greek metropolises, the Acropolis promenade in Athens and the Thessaloniki waterfront redevelopment, the paper shows how these major urban interventions have created spaces used for a variety of purposes ranging from mobility needs to clear leisure, and investigates how transport restructuring towards non-motorised means and physical activity are integrated in this context of urban regeneration. The paper raises the question of how these two good practices of a combination between urban regeneration and sustainable mobility including physical exercise can be adopted from other cities in Greece or elsewhere, adding experience to the international terrain of modern active healthy environments.

Performance of direct mail in building customer loyalty in Greek automotive sector during the financial crisis

This paper focuses on the performance of direct mail as a key marketing communication tool in customer retention and a loyalty building instrument during the financial crisis in Greek automotive sector. The major transnational car brand Toyota in Greece is selected to investigate the performance of direct mail in enticing customer loyalty during a financial crisis. Athens and Salonica, the two largest cities in Greece, were chosen as the study locations because they comprise the largest segment of the automotive market and have been the main stage for the conflicts and reactions to the crisis between 2010 and 2015. In partnership with a major research agency and Toyota Hellas, a questionnaire was distributed, and 383 completed questionnaires were returned. The results were analysed through analysis of variance with covariates (ANCOVA) and mediated regression analysis. It was found that direct mail has a direct effect on customer attitudinal loyalty, and behavioural loyalty is dependent on customer satisfaction related to direct mail. This paper provides new insights on the effect of direct mail on customer loyalty during economic crises. Showing the performance and role of direct mail in crisis environment is likely to help managers better understand their customers and enhance loyalty.

Health Care Experiences and Needs of Adolescents in Urban Greece: Implications for Planning Appropriate Health Care

Purpose: This study aims to explore experiences and views of 15 year old adolescents on primary health care services in large cities in Greece, and make policy and practice recommendations. Methods: A representative sample of 15 year old students, living in large cities of Greece, was selected using stratified cluster sampling. Information was collected using a structured questionnaire. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 2019 of the 2342 students in the school classes selected (response rate 86%). Girls were 54%; 92% were born in Greece. Half of the students (50%) reported having communication problems with the physician(s) they usually visit. Reasons of communication problems included: a/organizational problems, e.g. inadequate consultation time (17%); b/privacy and confidentiality issues, e.g. not having the opportunity to be alone with the doctor (36%), lack of confidence that their discussion with the doctor will not be disclosed to their parents (46%); c/lack of understanding their perspective, e.g. the doctor “is not interested in my problems” (15%), he/ she “does not treat me with respect” (13%). The gender of the physician is important for about one third of the students of the study sample (girls 48%, boys 23%) and girls tend to prefer a female doctor (54%). Conclusion: Adolescents in this study pointed out that they need doctors who are aware of their way of thinking and problems and can communicate effectively with them; they require more consultation time, continuity of care, confidentiality and privacy. Service provision should be accordingly modified.

Benefits on public health from transport-related greenhouse gas mitigation policies in Southeastern European cities.

Climate change is a major environmental threat of our time. Cities have a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions as most of the traffic, industry, commerce and more than 50% of world population is situated in urban areas. Southern Europe is a region that faces financial turmoil, enhanced migratory fluxes and climate change pressure. The case study of Thessaloniki is presented, one of the only two cities in Greece with established climate change action plans. The effects of feasible traffic policies in year 2020 are assessed and their potential health impact is compared to a business as usual scenario. Two types of measures are investigated: operation of underground rail in the city centre and changes in fleet composition. Potential co-benefits from reduced greenhouse gas emissions on public health by the year 2020 are computed utilizing state-of-the-art concentration response functions for PMx, NO2 and C6H6. Results show significant environmental health and monetary co-benefits when the city metro is coupled with appropriate changes in the traffic composition. Monetary savings due to avoided mortality or leukaemia incidence corresponding to the reduction in PM10, PM2.5, NO2 and C6H6 exposure will be 56.6, 45, 37.7 and 1.0 million Euros respectively. Promotion of 'green' transportation in the city (i.e. the wide use of electric vehicles), will provide monetary savings from the reduction in PM10, PM2.5, NO2 and C6H6 exposure up to 60.4, 49.1, 41.2 and 1.08 million Euros. Overall, it was shown that the respective GHG emission reduction policies resulted in clear co-benefits in terms of air quality improvement, public health protection and monetary loss mitigation.

Temporal variability and sources of VOCs in urban areas of the eastern Mediterranean

Abstract. During the summer of 2012 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were monitored by proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) in urban sites, in Athens and Patras, two of the largest cities in Greece. Also, during the winter of 2013, PTR-MS measurements were conducted in the center of the city of Athens. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) was applied to the VOC measurements to gain insights about their sources. In summer most of the measured VOCs were due to biogenic and traffic emissions. Isoprene, monoterpenes, and several oxygenated VOCs (oVOCs) originated mainly from vegetation either directly or as oxidation products. Isoprene average concentrations in Patras and Athens were 1 and 0.7 ppb respectively, while the monoterpene concentrations were 0.3 and 0.9 ppb respectively. Traffic was the main source of aromatic compounds during summer. For Patras and Athens the average concentrations of benzene were 0.1 and 0.2 ppb, of toluene 0.3 and 0.8 ppb, and of the xylenes 0.3 and 0.7 ppb respectively. Winter measurements in Athens revealed that biomass burning used for residential heating was a major VOC source contributing both aromatic VOCs and biogenic compounds such as monoterpenes. Several episodes related to biomass burning were identified and emission ratios (ERs) and emission factors (EFs) were estimated.

Thessaloniki: The changing geography of the city and the role of spatial planning

Thessaloniki has existed for over twenty-three centuries. Today it is the second largest city in Greece after Athens. This City Profile aims to identify and present the milestones in the city's development trajectory and give an overview of the evolution and the planning of the city. After a summary of the historical development of Thessaloniki, emphasis is given to the period after 1990s. Lately, the fiscal and refugee crises hitting the country have changed the urban geography of the city, challenging its sustainability and questioning its future development. At the same time the planning and management system of the city face the overfragmentation and semi-implementation of the plans, the chronic lack of a clear vision for the city's development and the downgrading of the role of strategic spatial planning within the current context of recession. The adoption of a really radical resilience policy along with the reconsideration and redefinition of planning principles and content seems to be the only option for Thessaloniki to track its development trajectory.

Cosmopolitanism, Nationalism, and Sexual Politics in the European Periphery: a Multiscalar Analysis of Gay Prides in Thessaloniki, Greece

Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece, has seen a sudden attempt to establish LGBT politics during the last 5 years, due to movement mobilization and favourable local and European opportunity structures. The article suggests a multiscalar analysis of Thessaloniki Prides, which takes into account politics articulated by a series of actors located in distinct scales. These actors include institutional and religious authorities, as well as the local LGBT movement. The analysis demonstrates that Thessaloniki Prides are shaped by conflicting discursive blocks articulated through the national, urban/local, and transnational scale. Prides, as the most visible outcome of the local LGBT movement, become a collective action, which is shaped and continuously challenged by its embeddedness in these scales. This analysis brings new insights into the geo-temporal politics of LGBT politics, reminding that European periphery’s sexual politics are located in a nexus of progressive cosmopolitanism and nationalist anti-modernity. In fact, the Thessaloniki case demonstrates that being part of the Western periphery places sexual politics between a globalist EU-ized discourse of modernity on the one hand and anti-secular views on heteronormative traditions on the other. Such a space is the setting where grassroots LGBTQ movements perform their politics.

PM10 episodes in Greece: Local sources versus long-range transport—observations and model simulations

ABSTRACTPeriods of abnormally high concentrations of atmospheric pollutants, defined as air pollution episodes, can cause adverse health effects. Southern European countries experience high particulate matter (PM) levels originating from local and distant sources. In this study, we investigated the occurrence and nature of extreme PM10 (PM with an aerodynamic diameter ≤10 μm) pollution episodes in Greece. We examined PM10 concentration data from 18 monitoring stations located at five sites across the country: (1) an industrial area in northwestern Greece (Western Macedonia Lignite Area, WMLA), which includes sources such as lignite mining operations and lignite power plants that generate a high percentage of the energy in Greece; (2) the greater Athens area, the most populated area of the country; and (3) Thessaloniki, (4) Patra, and (5) Volos, three large cities in Greece. We defined extreme PM10 pollution episodes (EEs) as days during which PM10 concentrations at all five sites exceeded the European Union (EU) 24-hr PM10 standards. For each EE, we identified the corresponding prevailing synoptic and local meteorological conditions, including wind surface data, for the period from January 2009 through December 2011. We also analyzed data from remote sensing and model simulations. We recorded 14 EEs that occurred over 49 days and could be grouped into two categories: (1) Local Source Impact (LSI; 26 days, 53%) and (2) African Dust Impact (ADI; 23 days, 47%). Our analysis suggested that the contribution of local sources to ADI EEs was relatively small. LSI EEs were observed only in the cold season, whereas ADI EEs occurred throughout the year, with a higher frequency during the cold season. The EEs with the highest intensity were recorded during African dust intrusions. ADI episodes were found to contribute more than local sources in Greece, with ADI and LSI fraction contribution ranging from 1.1 to 3.10. The EE contribution during ADI fluctuated from 41 to 83 μg/m3, whereas during LSI it varied from 14 to 67 μg/m3.Implications: This paper examines the occurrence and nature of extreme PM10 pollution episodes (EEs) in Greece during a 3-yr period (2009–2011). Fourteen EEs were found of 49 days total duration, classified into two main categories: Local Source Impact (53%) and African Dust Impact (47%). All the above extreme PM10 air pollution episodes were the result of specific synoptic prevailing conditions. Specific information on the linkages between the synoptic weather patterns and PM10 concentrations could be used in the development of weather/health-warning system to alert the public that a synoptic episode is imminent.

The use of parabolic trough collectors for solar cooling – A case study for Athens climate

Solar cooling is a state of the art technology in the last years, especially for countries with high irradiation level as Greece. The objective of this study is to determine the performance of an efficient solar cooling system for Athens, the most populated city in Greece. The examined solar cooling system is a one stage water/lithium-bromide absorption chiller driven by a parabolic trough collector coupled with a storage tank. A numerical model is developed in order to simulate the dynamic performance of this system. Many parameters have been investigated through sensitivity analyses and their optimum values are determined. The mass flow rates and the storage tank volume are the parameters that have been examined parametrically. The final results proved that by using a PTC module with an aperture area of 14m2, a building area of about 25m2 can be cooled for 13h daily during the summer period. The optimum specific mass flow rate was determined to 0.03kg/sm2 and the optimum storage tank volume to 0.3m3. Moreover, a case study for a typical building of 100m2 is presented with very satisfying results, where four PTC modules are used in parallel connection.

"Time Machine" at Monemvasia, a mediaeval castle city in Greece.

"Time Machine" at Monemvasia, a mediaeval castle city in Greece.

An Investigation Of Factors Determining The Level Of Job Satisfaction Among Nurses In Six General Public Hospitals In Greece

In recent years, issues of nurses’ job satisfaction and related factors received an increasing amount of attention since it is a determinant of the delivery of high quality care. Job satisfaction increases the employee’s engagement and productivity. Aim: The aim of this multicenter study was to investigate the factors affecting nurses’ job satisfaction. Material and Methods: This study was a meta-experimental or observational, cross-sectional descriptive study using convenience sampling methods. The sample consisted of 266 nurses from six public hospitals from five major cities in Greece. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from nurses regarding their job satisfaction. The statistical analysis was performed by using the SPSS 19.0 for Windows and methods of descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Job satisfaction was positively associated with factors such as age, position, salary, and work experience. Nurses who were over 40 years of age, who held the position of Charge Nurse, who were nurses with higher monthly

Towards earthquake early warning for the Rion-Antirion bridge, Greece

Patras is the third largest city in Greece and an ideal candidate for earthquake early warning (EEW) applications due to its high seismic hazard, its existing research infrastructure and the presence of critical structures such as the Rion-Antirion bridge. Patras is located a few hundred kilometres from the Hellenic Arc, where very strong and potentially damaging earthquakes occur. This distance is large enough to allow a few tens of seconds of warning time prior to significant shaking, provided earthquakes are timely detected by a dense seismic network. Within the framework of the EC-funded project REAKT, the Virtual Seismologist (VS) EEW software was installed at Patras Seismological Laboratory. Its initial performance evaluation is presented here. In general VS provides magnitudes similar to the official, manually revised ones. Given the current station density and network telemetry, the average time that VS needs to deliver the first magnitude estimate is rather large, of the order of tens of seconds and not yet satisfactory for routine operational use of EEW. Even so, the system is able to provide up to 10 s of warning time prior to S-wave arrivals for events occurring on the Hellenic Arc. Our results indicate that the seismic networks in Greece need enhancements for regional EEW, either by adding stations or by upgrading the hardware to reduce delays. The application of an EEW system in the area is promising and, once operational, capable of mitigating earthquake risk.

Urban Form and Microclimatic Conditions in Urban Open Spaces at the Densely Built Centre of a Greek City

The paper presents an experimental investigation of the microclimatic conditions in selected open spaces in the city centre of Volos, a medium-sized coastal city in Greece. It presents the results of systematic field measurements that took place in three urban sites; a public open space and two typical urban blocks. The measurements were carried out during the summer of 2013 and concerned air temperature and relative humidity recordings. Data collection was used to assess the formation and the eventual differentiation of microclimate on a restricted local scale in the urban environment, such as that of a typical urban block or/and a typical public square in the centre of Greek cities. Additionally, research has taken into account buildings construction materials, the predominant paving materials and the key parameters determined by urban geometry in the selected sites, i.e the Aspect Ratio (H/W) and the Sky View Factor (SVF). The measurements revealed microclimatic differences within the inside open space of two of the urban blocks, i.e the courtyard generated of the different building ownerships, the various street canyons and the recordings of the local meteorological station.

Optimum Sizing of Residential Cogeneration for Prefeasibility Estimations. An Analytical Approach

Abstract An analytical method is developed to estimate the optimum size of cogeneration units in residential applications used for electrical supply, space heating and domestic hot water production. The method is validated by comparing its results with those of detailed simulation fromtwenty-five main cities of Greece, and found to achieve a coefficient of variation of root-mean squared error less than 4%. The optimum sized CHPcorresponds to 32-47% of maximum load, and proved to be mainly related to the heating degree-days of the area (correlation coefficient R= 0.985) rather than the minimum temperature.

Generic Use In Statin Sales In The Community of Thessaloniki, Greece

Under the current financial crisis in Greece, an effort has been made by Health authorities to encourage generic prescribing, in order to lower medicinal cost. The purpose of this work was to use the newly established Electronic Health Records to study trends in statins use, and to calculate the use of generics in statins sales in a sample from the medicines market of Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece.

Non-revenue water reduction through pressure management in Kozani’s water distribution network: from theory to practice

During the last few years, many water utilities are facing difficulties with the high non-revenue water (NRW) levels. Among the NRW management strategies, water pressure management (PM) is the most popular towards the goals of effective and efficient water use. In an effort to improve the level of services provided to consumers, minimize its operating expenses and reduce water leakage and pipes’ bursts, water utilities rely on water PM although it is one of the most expensive methods. This study analyses a methodology of calculating economic benefits and revenue losses caused due to the reduction of a system’s operating pressure. The reduction of System Input Volume causes direct benefits (e.g. reduced energy costs), while the reduced burst frequency causes direct (e.g. maintenance cost reduction) and indirect potential benefits (e.g. reduction in personnel, insurance and vehicle operation costs). The revenue losses are caused mainly due to the reduction of pressure-dependent water consumption. In the case of Kozani city in Greece, the economic impact of dividing its water network in District Metered Areas and applying 5 PM interventions based on installing Pressure Reducing Valves is calculated, using the system’s hydraulic model.

Price promotions and marketing within points of sale around high schools in Greece during the 2012 economic crisis

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Democratic Governance for Inclusion: a Case Study of a Greek Primary School Welcoming Roma Pupils

ABSTRACTThe focus of this paper is how changes in school governance in one state primary school in a city in central Greece have resulted in a significant degree of inclusion for Roma children. This inclusivity runs counter to the disturbing occurrence of the social and ethnic segregation of a group of locally resident Roma children within schools. This paper reports from a case study that took place in one primary school with a large number of Roma pupils in a city in Greece. We argue for the importance of democratic governance as a pedagogic approach and as a method for the inclusion and empowerment of disadvantaged groups within educational settings. We initially define democratic governance by highlighting the human rights framework that underpins it. We describe the historical and social context of the research field before discussing the school routine and the methods the teachers adopt so as to contribute to Roma inclusivity in the classroom. Our account is informed by an interview conducted with the school’s head teacher and various stakeholders’ narratives. This paper suggests that positive educational initiatives designed to include the parents and children of disadvantaged groups like Roma communities can succeed. We argue that when core principles of democratic governance extend beyond the school and into other community political structures, progress towards inclusion is possible.