This study aims at exploring the melon cultivation in Kallithea (or Goritsa) of Konitsa Municipality. Melon cultivation has been an important activity to the local economy for decades. Nowadays, however, melon production is limited to a small number of cultivators, as the activity is perceived to be unprofitable. Yet, the results of a field study that was carried out by means of semi-structured interviews and the SWOT analysis conducted indicate that melon cultivation has good prospects not only to survive but also to thrive. However, both the cultivators and the State should adopt appropriate measures in order to exploit the strengths and opportunities offered and overcome the existing weaknesses and threats.

The tour of a visitor in a mountainous village can acquire an excellent interest when stories, myths, traditions and legends of the village appear through the buildings and among the nature. This study aims at proving the effective usage of technology at creating such cultural routes. A special and modern way to enhance local cultural elements is the creation of a route inside the village which will be launched in a personal digital assistant (PDA) and on which all the interesting spots will be appeared. Specifically, historical events, traditions and particularities of the region will be narrated in written form or vocally. The narration will be accompanied by multimedia (sound, picture and video). In this way, the cultural and natural environment of the region will be revitalized. The visitor takes a journey in time and he is made part of the local life for as long as the route lasts. The region that is being studied is the settlement of Kastaniani, which belongs to the Mastorochoria complex of Konitsa. In the study, the way of using the handheld computer and a specific route are being described.

This essay, attempts to investigate the way of living of young people in the Greek highlands and more specifically in the area of Konitsa. Young people through the creation of social networks, taking also into consideration a specific historical, geographical, social and cultural context, develop behavioral patterns and expectations regarding their personal and social life. Based on this observation, the paper focuses mainly on the attitude of young people living in the area of Konitsa in view of their lifestyle choices and how these might be affected by the current social context. A number of social and behavioral cues and characteristics were used in order to identify and model the perception and behavior of young people, e.g. their relationship with the environment, how they spent their free time etc. It aims to provide a number of valuable conclusions that could be used in the future for taking the appropriate political and social actions in an attempt to strengthen and enhance the social integration of young people to the local society. It is based on fieldwork that was performed in the city of Konitsa, by using an appropriate questionnaire that was given to students of two different high schools. Finally, statistical analysis has been performed on the completed questionnaires and the results were correlated with the outcome of similar researches that have been conducted in the areas of Metsovo and Tzoumerka.

In research literature, a lack of common understanding of “development” concept is identified. The meaning of “development” changed during the last decades from simple economic growth, embracing social and environmental concerns. 

The aim of this paper is  to highlight the integrated development theory, through the synthesis of three interdisciplinary research projects, applied to the area of Konitsa, within the postgraduate program "Environment and Development of Mountainous Areas" of the NTUA. The results provided for each methodological step and the integrated approach of the development scenarios can be used as an important tool, contributing to the design, development and support of relevant policies.

Vernacular architecture is an irreplaceable cultural heritage and a valuable testimony of the past that identifies the character of a place. The continuous unregulated interventions on the buildings and the public space, the architecture that does not follow local vernacular characteristics and the abandonment of the buildings have led to the gradual loss of the traditional character of many mountainous areas. The town of Konitsa is a characteristic example of the above changes. It is trying to maintain its traditional identity, which is constantly distorted by the "decoration" of time. In the center of the town, the site of the old market, which used to be a vivid part of life and development of the town is currently characterised by an aesthetic and functional degradation. Local traditional buildings seem to suffocate and perish among the modern urban environment. Exploring and identifying the elements of local traditional character as well as and the modern needs of the local community, in this study, several proposals are presented concerning the renovation of the public space, the redesign of the facades of vernacular and modern buildings as well as the rehabilitation of abandoned buildings. The aim of this study is the recovery of the old market district’s lost traditional character and identity in order to enhance the attractiveness and the cultural value of the town for its habitants and its visitors.

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.

Wastewater management is a measure of great significance for the conservation of the natural environment. Especially in mountainous regions, wastewater management is even more important, since the liquid waste of settlements are disposed, basically, in rivers and watercourses that are sensitive ecosystems.

The objective of this study is to propose solutions on wastewater management in mountainous settlements. The village of Distrato, in the Municipality of Konitsa has been used as a case study. The goal is achieved by presenting the legal framework having to do with wastewater treatment, assaying the three cleaning stages, mentioning the current international trends in wastewater management and presenting the sewage processing units, which adapt to small settlements.

The “optimum” alternative that originates from quantitative and qualitative criteria, is the Sequential Batch Reactor or compact system for which preliminary design has been  taken place.