STRATEGIC THINKING IN ECODEVELOPMENT : THE EMERGENCE OF A NEW TYPE OF ECO-NEIGHBORHOOD THROUGH BROWNFIELDS REGENERATION
STRATEGIC THINKING IN ECODEVELOPMENT : THE EMERGENCE OF A NEW TYPE OF ECO-NEIGHBORHOOD THROUGH BROWNFIELDS REGENERATION

Summary/Abstract: The creation of the first eco-neighborhoods coincides with the emergence of concerns about the antagonistic relations between society and nature and the development of ecological and environmental movements in 1960s. Currently, eco-neighborhoods are a fully recognized "institution" that is called upon to implement the concept of sustainable community. Despite their diversity, there are common axes of organization such as (a) the empowerment and revival of the local community with the key elements of open governance, widespread participation and sound social and political networking (b) the implementation of sustainable practices in the management of natural and cultural resources, accessibility and the built environment. The paper aims to discuss the strategic thinking in ecodevelopment focusing on eco-neighborhoods in the Euro-Mediterranean area. Lessons learned from this region are the integration of the protection and enhancement of natural and cultural heritage given that natural and cultural resources are central for place identity. In this context, and after briefly discussing the development of eco-neighborhoods in Greece, examples of strategic urban interventions are being examined such as the potential regeneration of the port-industrial area of Drapetsona which, in our view, is striving for a vision of environmental protection and economic development based on both the reconnection of natural and cultural heritage and on the mobilisation of public-private cooperation in urban planning and governance.

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