The multidimensional crisis, especially in countries like Greece, demands the new development approaches that respond to actual needs and describe the way for the creative use of the particular characteristics of the natural and socio-economic resources. The need for such planning approaches becomes more intense in mountainous areas, which remained - to a large extent - outside from central development strategies. Integrated approach, interdisciplinarity and education can be key features of these new approaches. In this context, the postgraduate students of the MSc “Environment and Development of Mountainous Areas” held by the National Technical University of Athens conduct development surveys for different regions in Greece using the methodology of Worthliving Integrated Development. During the academic year of 2014-2015, an interdisciplinary workgroup of students conducted a development survey for the mountainous municipality of Souli. This paper presents the methodological steps followed as well as the results for the region of Souli.

The water resources play a key role in the regional development and therefore, it is important to address sustainable - oriented management practices. Considering that the agricultural sector has a great impact on water resources consumption, irrigation infrastructures have to be carefully built and used in order to utilize water resources in a sustainable way.
An indicative example of a typical irrigation problem concerning agriculture is the situation in the Municipality of Souli. Hence, this paper will use as a point of departure the case study of the nearby Kokitos stream, which could be part of a multi-faceted solution. The demand-supply balance for Kokitos showed that, if its stream water resources are utilized, they could cover 41,4% of the total watering area, while the current infrastructure can be used during the summer. Hence, under certain conditions, we suggest that a water-tank is constructed, decreasing the current total irrigation cost by 18%.

The riverside area of Acheron river located near the village of Glyki, at the municipality of Souli, is a typical case of tourist exploiting of a natural resource. The current situation in the area sets up consideration about the dipole touristic development / environmental protection. Which is the Acheron ecosystem carrying capacity, as far as human intervention is concerned and how can it be protected from degradation? In order to answer this question, the concept of carrying capacity is introduced in this paper, which explores the limits of an ecosystem or a region.
Several indicators, which are delineating the touristic footprint have been used, as well as data concerning the biological identity of the region, in order to calculate its carrying capacity. The analysis revealed, firstly, that there are carrying capacity limits which are disrupted during the high touristic season. Moreover it is shown that, although, the quality of water in Acheron river is satisfactory, the ecosystem shows a tendency towards degradation.

In this paper, the possibility of creating a downhill trail, by the use of Geographic Information Systems, in the municipality of Souli, Greece, is examined. The downhill trail will be based on the forest routes and trails of the area that are already available. This action aims at enhancing alternative tourism and supporting the development of an athletic entertaining activity that will bring the local community closer to nature.
Firstly, the criteria and the methodology that has been used to locate the suitable trails are presented. The suitable trails are further analysed and the optimum route is chosen. Moreover, the actions that are necessary to convert the current trail in a downhill one are proposed. Finally, the importance of an effective promotion plan is documented, based on successful examples from Europe and Greece and several specific marketing actions are proposed.

The protection of watercourses from erosion is the most important and necessary intervention to any river in order to control the flow channel protecting in that way the riparian land uses. Erosion leads to soil leaching, desertification and downstream sediment transportation reducing consistently the river capacity. Initially, in this paper the soil erosion phenomenon, its determinant factors, as well as the usual protective measures taken are briefly analyzed. Then, the phenomenon of watercourses erosion, the slope stability calculation methodology and the applied interventions are presented in detail. Finally, given the corrosive phenomena in various places of Kalamas riverbed, especially among the settlements of Parakalamos and Mazaraki, the slope stability in this region is assessed. More specifically, an extensive description of the phenomenon is carried out, its causes are interpreted, suggestions of immediate protection measures are expressed and an estimation of the total cost of all necessary labor and materials is made, for completing the project.

The field of municipal waste management is a crucial and long-term problem in Greece. However, due to the current difficult socioeconomic situation, the need for dealing with this issue is even more important. Waste prevention and selection at the source, as shown in the numerous examples of its applications, are effective methods which, combined with the participation of citizens and state support, can produce substantial results. Some efforts have already begun by a number of Municipalities and cooperative foundations. In this study, the problem of municipal solid waste management in Greece is presented and, more specifically, the existing waste management system in the Municipality of Souli is examined. Moreover, the method of source separation recycling is thoroughly examined, specializing in the case of the study area. Finally, an economic evaluation and comparison between the proposed and existing waste management system is attempted, which proves that source separation recycling could be a successful alternative solution for the Μunicipality of Souli.

The present paper, first, analyzes the existing agricultural activity in the plain of Kallikratian Municipality of Souli, which was formed by the merge of the former municipalities of Paramythia, Axeronta and Souli. Then, the reasons that make the agricultural mechanical equipment a mostly important factor in maximizing farmers’ income are presented. Following, the factors affecting the selection of agricultural mechanical equipment are briefly discussed. Finally, an illustrative example is presented for the selection of optimum equipment Souli Municipality, which could lead to higher yields and, consequently, could improve the economic situation of the farmers in the area of interest.

The purpose of this essay is to introduce every potential reader to the idea of place brand and the tools of place branding. It also aims at citing the necessity for every region to create and promote its own place brand in the international but also glocalized market, where regions even of the same country compete for human resources and investments. In addition, this essay focuses on the existing brand of the Municipality of Souli (Epirus, Greece) suggesting ways and methods for a successful place brand and branding, as well as destination marketing for this region.

Play returns in our lives, with multiple extensions beyond entertainment. In educational methods, to boost creativity and brain function. It is essential for all range of ages and can be contemporary, alternative development option for the mountainous area. It can became a means and tool to approach nature, culture and history of the area.
In this paper, it is presented a team game in the village of Souli that familiarizes the participants with the space and its stories. Inspired by the peculiarities and legends of the region, invites players to wander with the aid of maps and other tools in this enigmatic scene. Among the wells and war captains’ castle-houses a whole new story is created, in the traces of ruins of the past. Each player that belongs to a family, having individual role and character, becomes part of the story and a protagonist of its evolution. With tools collaboration and imagination, acquires its own unique experience in Souli.

The energy dependence of Greece on natural gas is expected to rise gradually in the following years. However, there is an absence of the necessary storage facilities that could support this. Therefore, the necessity of their construction becomes greater and greater. The present paper aims at studying the underground storage areas for natural gas, within artificial salt cavern complexes. It provides a general report on natural gas storage, mainly in the US and Europe. Furthermore, a review on the artificial creation of caverns within salt formations is presented. Key financial figures related to the construction cost as well as figures related to the potential of the underground storage areas are also shown. The geological characteristics of the appropriate formations are described. Finally, Epirus is discussed as a possible area for storing natural gas due to the existence of salt formations that could be used for this purpose, especially in the Monolithi area.

Abandoned quarries form a usual scene of Greek urban and rural landscape. The visual pollution deriving from the view of an empty mountain has been just one of the many problems of these places. Rehabilitation of abandoned quarries forms the main solution to these problems and it consists in the improvement of the places and the partial reforming of the previous natural landscape. However, in many cases, internationally and in Greece, rehabilitation of abandoned quarries contributed in the creation of new, modern recreational and cultural multi-places.
In this paper, a proposal for the rehabilitation of the abandoned “Viero” quarry, in the Municipality of Souli, is presented. In situ research revealed the problems and the potentialities of the place. The central idea of the rehabilitation proposal is the physical improvement of the quarry and the creation of a recreational place in order for the needs of local habitants to be met as well as for visitors to be attracted. With the main design-idea the creation of two lakes in the bottom of the quarry, sports activities and environmental awareness uses are proposed accomplished by planting of local plant species.