Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The sustainable improvement of motor highways that drive through or surround the big cities are considered as a step towards the reinforcement of the green network of a city. This improvement can have an impact in several aspects of the... more
The sustainable improvement of motor highways that drive through or surround the big cities are considered as a step towards the reinforcement of the green network of a city.
This improvement can have an impact in several aspects of the issue such as the aesthetic improvement of the roads, environmental benefits that include noise and air pollution reduction and improvement of the microclimate. Finally, generally design principles are addressed such
as visual perception of highways. The study methodology focuses on two main aspects, literature review of the subsect matter of sustainable improvement of highways and the design proposal of a case study. The latter consists of a landscape, mainly vegetation design study
undertaken in the urban section of the P.A.TH.E. Motorway from the section after the Metamorfosi A/C junction and up to the Aphidnon Toll Station in the Prefecture of Attica.
This improvement can have an impact in several aspects of the issue such as the aesthetic improvement of the roads, environmental benefits that include noise and air pollution reduction and improvement of the microclimate. Finally, generally design principles are addressed such
as visual perception of highways. The study methodology focuses on two main aspects, literature review of the subsect matter of sustainable improvement of highways and the design proposal of a case study. The latter consists of a landscape, mainly vegetation design study
undertaken in the urban section of the P.A.TH.E. Motorway from the section after the Metamorfosi A/C junction and up to the Aphidnon Toll Station in the Prefecture of Attica.
A green network accessible to all is significant in order for people to socialize and create permeable and rigid environments that promote health and wellbeing. Green spaces in cities can also provide cooling through shading and enhanced... more
A green network accessible to all is significant in order for people to socialize and create permeable and rigid environments that promote health and wellbeing. Green spaces in cities can also provide cooling through shading and enhanced evapotranspiration, thus reducing the heat island effect that occurs in many cities. This approach includes the connection between different types of open spaces as squares, parks of all sizes and green corridors. In this essay four types of small urban spaces are investigated. The first type is urban courtyards. In Greece these open spaces are rarely being used due to their poor or no design at all design and are left abandoned and often used for storage. The second type is pocket parks, which are usually urban open spaces at a small scale of 500 square meters. These spaces have the potential to provide relief from the city, contribute to a sense of place, provide comfort, promote well-being and contribute positively to the urban microclimate. Parklets, which is the third type investigated are extensions of the sidewalk, small parks-public spaces that can be installed in the place of a parking space of one or two cars. Some of the aims of the implementation of parklets are the encouragement of the pedestrian activities, of the non-vehicular transportation, the interaction between the community members, the support of local businesses and finally the potential of a new concept for street design. Finally, the fourth type is semi-enclosed urban spaces, which are very significant since they act as climate moderators, being cooler that the outside temperature during summer and warmer during winter. A case study area is investigated in the city centre of Athens and the densely populated area of Academia Platonos. The aim is to address problems and propose solutions encountered in the area based on the principles of sustainable design.
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The objectives of this exploratory paper are to propose and implement original urban design strategies, but also to highlight the links between cultural and natural heritage at the city–land–sea interface and, in particular, in coastal... more
The objectives of this exploratory paper are to propose and implement original urban design strategies, but also to highlight the links between cultural and natural heritage at the city–land–sea interface and, in particular, in coastal areas with historical value. For the moment, the tools for evaluating the social and economic “value” of this heritage are extremely limited. Moreover, design and environmental parameters may also come into play in this context, and it is worth considering the creation of an evaluation toolkit. The proposed methodology includes three phases: a documentary analysis, an on-site analysis consisting of a sensory mapping and an analysis by questionnaires. The main result of this work is to demonstrate that the methodology of sensory mapping techniques allows obtaining a holistic global approach where all human senses are considered in the analytical phase of pre-design of a coastal site, thus integrating this approach in a more sustainable design strategy....
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The paper explores the potential of implementing the principles of urban acupuncture in a selected Greek case study, taking into account international experience in the field. The research includes literature review and field work. The... more
The paper explores the potential of implementing the principles of urban acupuncture in a selected Greek case study, taking into account international experience in the field. The research includes literature review and field work. The area of study is Nikea, an ex-refugee urban area in the Attica metropolitan region. It was founded during the 1930s to host refugees from Asia Minor. The initial Hippodamian grid offers beneficial intermediate communal spaces inside each city block and there are also larger green spaces in proximity. However, the area suffers from urban blight owed largely to the poor quality of preservation of the old refugee housing estates. A mixture of factors contributes to the complex contemporary situation characterized by opportunities and challenges. On the one hand, there is great potential for regenerating the existing intermediate communal spaces and on the other decaying refugee houses and vulnerable households intricate the already convoluted situation....
PurposeThe assessment of building performance in terms of environmental impact and overall sustainability approach is carried out by several methods, different in terms of structure, application and parameters involved. A review of the... more
PurposeThe assessment of building performance in terms of environmental impact and overall sustainability approach is carried out by several methods, different in terms of structure, application and parameters involved. A review of the most frequently used tools available at the moment is presented and a comparison of the tools in terms of general characteristics and environmental parameters is undertaken. Moreover, suggestions are made with regards to a future, easy to use, sustainable building Mediterranean assessment tool.Design/methodology/approachThe methods are investigated in terms general parameters such as their applicability and also in terms of their primary environmental issues of concern involved. A comparative analysis is undertaken.FindingsThe investigation showed that none of the methods seem to incorporate all the parameters involved. Especially, the economic and social factors as well as comfort, which are all significant parameters directly involved to sustainabil...
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Daylight utilization significantly contributes to energy savings in office buildings. However, daylight integration requires careful design so as to include variations in daylight availability and maintain a balance between factors such... more
Daylight utilization significantly contributes to energy savings in office buildings. However, daylight integration requires careful design so as to include variations in daylight availability and maintain a balance between factors such as lighting quality and heat gain or loss. Designers with proper planning can not only improve the visual environment and create higher-quality spaces, but simultaneously minimize energy costs for buildings. The utilization of photosensors can exploit the benefits of daylighting by dimming the lighting system, so that no excessive luminous flux is produced, thus leading to energy savings as well as visual contentment. However, the human factor is crucial for the proper function of a lighting control system. Without its acceptance from the users, energy savings can be minimized or even negligible. The objective of this paper is to present a post-occupancy evaluation regarding occupant satisfaction and acceptance in relation to daylighting in offices e...
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The objective of this paper is to show that the subtle climatic differences should lead to different environmental strategies in building construction. Domestic architecture is investigated since housing is the most energy demanding... more
The objective of this paper is to show that the subtle climatic differences should lead to different environmental strategies in building construction. Domestic architecture is investigated since housing is the most energy demanding building type. The study aims to ...
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All public open spaces are key elements of urban fabric because they create patterns that promote social interaction. They also create a sense of security, because people can have a clear picture of the place that they belong to.... more
All public open spaces are key elements of urban fabric because they create patterns that promote social interaction. They also create a sense of security, because people can have a clear picture of the place that they belong to. According to current guidelines, urban areas are essential to satisfy the need for social interaction, create a sense of place, to increase the awareness of the urban fabric and contribute to the improvement of the urban microclimate. In recent years and particularly during the recent Covid-19 pandemic, particular attention to the quality of public spaces and built environment has grown among architects, designers and urban planners. However, current studies are suggesting that the mismanagement and abandonment of such sites has turned them into useless spaces within the built environments. This prompts us to explore further the idea of reusing and redefining such spaces and investigate further the potential to create new vibrant urban sustainable environments. In addition to the above, the concern about the inadequacy of high-quality public spaces in city centers, the exploitation of available public space from other land uses and the natural degradation of them, prompt us to look at the reasons why they have failed and what the users sense of them. Local sense and sensory mapping can play an important role in improving the quality of the urban landscape and contribute to finding the necessary components to improve the comfort and experience of users. Recent research relates to the influence of the structured environment on memories, behaviours and senses and demonstrates the importance of the environment, the spatial messages that the user receives and how they can perceive and experience the space. Based on the above data, the research methodology aims to explore the concept of the sensory city that provides opportunities for healthier places and promote social inclusion through participatory design techniques. It consists of literature review on the subject of the perception of the sense of place through the experiences of users. The perception of space based on these findings will be an important element to decode and explore the characteristics of the resilience of the urban landscape and to provide solutions to problems of design quality, social inclusion, sustainability and spatial comfort. The paper argues that a number of parameters form the future cities where sensory mapping and community participation contribute to new recruits in the composition of urban public spaces and sustainable strategies. Sensory placemaking becomes a new attribute and the wider umbrella under which the parameters of the Smart Sensory City as the new public place are developed.
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The amount of public space per person is decreasing due to urban population growth. On the other hand, changes in lifestyle increases the demand for public spaces. In the age of economic uncertainty the existence of ample public space is... more
The amount of public space per person is decreasing due to urban population growth. On the other hand, changes in lifestyle increases the demand for public spaces. In the age of economic uncertainty the existence of ample public space is imperative. The importance of locality is the basic feature in order to address successful public spaces. The paper aims to examine the availability of unused public spaces in the form of urban courtyards, and leftover open spaces that are likely to be used as pocket parks or parklets in order to propose their regeneration.