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Courseworks | MSc Environment and Development of Mountain Regions

Courseworks

“Paramythia revealed”: an alternative (and e-) guide for Paramythia
Abstract

The use of apps as e-guides has caused a revolution in the tourism industry. The number of tourists that make good use of these technologies in order to enrich their experiences increases fast. In this paper, a new approach to the development of a tour guide application for the city of Paramythia is proposed. The application is meant to promote the cultural and natural features of the area in an alternative way. Firstly, the current situation in Paramythia concerning e-tourism and popular applications is analyzed. Based on the analysis, the importance of a proper classification and utilization of state-of-the-art technologies is highlighted, while the design and architecture of a tourism app for the city of Paramythia is presented. Finally, a proposed route and its content are described on the basis of the alternative approach that has been developed.

In Workshop:
The families of Souli: an experiential game in the historical village of Souli.
Abstract

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.

In Workshop:
The concept of place branding. Case study in the Municipality of Souli.
Abstract

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.

In Workshop:
Acheron: Myths and Traditions for the door of the ancient Underworld
Abstract

Death is an integral part of people's lives. Paramythia is the place, where according to ancient mythology, death had a special presence. The "other world" intersects with the real one at one point. A small provincial town in Epirus is the benchmark of metaphysical or non-physical world to ancient Greek mythology and philosophy, but also for the whole of Western civilization born from it. What does this mean today? What is the content of the approach to death in ancient Greek mythology, which survives until today in the folk tradition, especially in the region of Epirus? The work argues that unlike the modern approach of repelling the reality of death, the approach of ancient Greek mythology that reaches up to modern popular culture, which suggests a courageous, head-on confrontation, which not only paralyses life but also honors, illuminates and gives more substantial content.

In Workshop:
Utilization of forest biomass for power generation and district heating in the town of Konitsa
Abstract

The threat of energy poverty in mountainous areas, due to the high thermal loads required in these areas and the dependence from the conventional forms of energy, is particularly intense.

Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and especially the utilization of forest biomass, which is found in abundance in mountainous areas and capable of heat production, can reduce the energy costs of the households in mountainous areas.

In this paper, after clarifying the meanings of biomass and renewable energy sources, a brief record of the methods of exploitation of the forest biomass and mainly the direct combustion for energy production (heat and electricity) is made. The construction of a forest biomass combustion unit for electricity and heat production in the town of Konitsa and its feasibility has been also examined.

In conclusion, under the current framework for supporting investments in RES, the development of such a unit is feasible. At the same time, the heat generated can cover a significant part of the heating needs of Konitsa with much lower costs compared with diesel oil use.

In Workshop:
Development in Metsovo. Dreams and expectations of the local population.
Abstract

The sudden and continuous changes in conditions that constitute our current socioeconomic reality made the need to redefine our development options more obvious. In the present study we are in search of regional development actions for a particular mountainous region, the new Municipality of Metsovo, based on the fact that a fundamental component in searching of the best development actions is envisioning an alternative future. These actions are identified by the dreams, the aspirations, the fears and the needs of the municipality's residents. Grounded theory was used to guide the collection and analysis of data. The research tools that were used, are: participant observation, in depth interviews, focus groups and content analysis. The analysis of research data highlighted the different representations of future development according to the specific conditions of each region, as well as the differentiation between preferred and expected development goals.

In Workshop:
Sustainable development actions in the area of Valia Kalda
Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to propose and investigate the financial viability of sustainable developmental activities in the area of Valia Calda, around the National Park of Pindos. Initially the characteristics of the concept of mountain tourism are analyzed, followed by a description of the study area. Then, three development schemes are presented accompanied by a feasibility study. Finally the impacts of the proposed actions on the area are assessed.

The main guiding principle, on which the whole issue was set, is the rebirth of mountainous Greece by formulating sustainable developmental activities in order to create new opportunities to people that seek outlets to communicate with mountains and nature, and establish more effective links with the mountainous areas by enabling business where they can earn their living, addressing a trend that seem seems to grow stronger nowadays with the present political and economical crisis.

Local authorities can attract more visitors in the area of Valia Kalda by focusing on alternative, environmentally friendly actions, allocating funds of a limited amount.

In Workshop:
Unequal spatial development in the Municipality of Metsovo
Abstract

This year a new law, named “Callicrates”, rearranged the boundaries of all the Greek Municipalities. Despite of the theoretically stated intentions, “Callicrates” is an important potential threat to the future development and prosperity of mountain regions. Already at the margin of development, mountain areas will get even more marginalized under the implementation of the new law. In this paper, the spatial parameters of the newly founded Municiplity of Metsovo are studied. The current social and economic situation of the region is analyzed. The spatial inequalities, as well as the main sections related to them, are pointed out and specific actions are suggested to the direction of a balanced development for the area. The different developmental level of each settlement, their special growth problems, as well as their unique potentials comprise, at the same time, the cause of inequality and the base for a prosperous development policy.

In Workshop:
Improving the energy efficiency of buildings in mountainous areas: The case of MIRC
Abstract

Measures of energy saving at the building of MIRC, in Metsovo are examined in this paper. The main aim of the paper is to highlight the particularly positive impacts of energy saving interventions on buildings found in mountainous settlements.

After estimating the energy efficiency of the building of MIRC, according to the Buildings Energy Efficiency Regulation, a set of energy saving interventions is formed. The technical characteristics of these interventions, as well as their costs are estimated. Moreover, an assessment of the economic performance of them is conducted and their environmental impacts are estimated.

It is proved that the economic and environmental performance of energy saving measures in mountainous areas is greater than in areas at lower altitudes, due to the increased energy demand of mountainous settlements. The use of traditional  structural materials, combined with sufficient insulation compose the basis for high energy performance  of buildings at mountainous settlements. Thus, the requirement for high energy efficiency can be compatible with retaining the vernacular architectural character of mountainous areas.

 

In Workshop:
Evaluation and development plan of potato sector of Chrisovitsa area
Abstract

The present study aims at investigating an important economic sector of Metsovo Municipality, namely the potato cultivation at the Politses plateau, in Chrisovitsa. Towards this direction, a field survey was conducted by means of structured interviews from a representative sample of potato producers. The results prove that the potato cultivation in the area of interest constitutes an important economic activity for the local community. Some particular characteristics of Chrisovitsa potato crop, such as the altitude of the plateau, the quality of irrigation water and the cultivation period, give the product a clear advantage in the market. Besides advantages, however, the economic activity encounters serious difficulties. Nevertheless, it seems that the future could be promising, provided that specific measures are undertaken.

 

In Workshop: