TITLE:
Unification of Archaeological Sites in Greece: A Design Approach Based on Public Participation and Sustainability Criteria
AUTHORS:
Kiriaki M. Keramitsoglou, Efthymia M. Mylonopoulou, Vasiliki I. Georgiou, Angelos L. Protopapas, Konstantinos P. Tsagarakis
KEYWORDS:
Genius Loci, Historic Landscapes, Multicriterion Model, Natural Landscapes, Pavement Design, Sustainable Planning
JOURNAL NAME:
Current Urban Studies,
Vol.5 No.2,
June
30,
2017
ABSTRACT: The simultaneous involvement of aesthetic variables and economic, social and environmental objectives in urban design and planning is quite rare, and difficult to be implemented and interpreted within a local context. The top-down approach has been the most common strategy employed in urban planning, whereas sustainability principles call for more participatory methods. This study presents a design approach to the unification of archaeological sites in the town of Didimoticho, Greece, based on public participation and sustainability criteria. A fully structured questionnaire was used to define aesthetic parameters. Six options were designed and then evaluated by the local community. Thus, taking into account the local conditions, a list of Must and a list of Wants were established according to selected sustainability criteria, which are significant tools for the Kepner-Tregoe model application. The proposed methodology revealed the optimal design solution. This systemic participatory approach applicable to urban design and planning can be implemented in other cases as well.