Springer Mediterranean Cities and Island Communities: Smart, Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient (Progress in IS)

This book addresses the issue of smart and sustainable development in the Mediterranean (MED) region, a distinct part of the world, full of challenges and risks but also opportunities. Above all, the book focuses on smartening up small and medium-sized cities and insular communities, taking into account their geographical peculiarities, the pattern of MED urban settlements and the abundance of island complexes in the MED Basin. Taking for granted that sustainability in the MED is the overarching policy goal that needs to be served, the book explores different aspects of smartness in support of this goal’s achievement. In this respect, evidence from concrete smart developments adopted by forerunners in the MED region is collected and analyzed; coupled with experiences gathered from successful, non-MED, examples of smart efforts in European countries. More specifically, current research and empirical results from MED urban environments are discussed, as well as findings from or concerning other parts of the world, which are of relevance to the MED region. The book’s primary goal is to enable policymakers, planners and decision-making bodies to recognize the challenges and options available; and make to more informed policy decisions towards smart, sustainable, inclusive and resilient urban and regional futures in the MED.  From the Back Cover This book addresses the issue of smart and sustainable development in the Mediterranean (MED) region, a distinct part of the world, full of challenges and risks but also opportunities. Above all, the book focuses on smartening up small and medium-sized cities and insular communities, taking into account their geographical peculiarities, the pattern of MED urban settlements and the abundance of island complexes in the MED Basin. Taking for granted that sustainability in the MED is the overarching policy goal that needs to be served, the book explores different aspects of smartness in support of this goal’s achievement. In this respect, evidence from concrete smart developments adopted by forerunners in the MED region is collected and analyzed; coupled with experiences gathered from successful, non-MED, examples of smart efforts in European countries. More specifically, current research and empirical results from MED urban environments are discussed, as well as findings from or concerning other parts of the world, which are of relevance to the MED region. The book’s primary goal is to enable policymakers, planners and decision-making bodies to recognize the challenges and options available; and make to more informed policy decisions towards smart, sustainable, inclusive and resilient urban and regional futures in the MED. About the Author Anastasia Stratigea is Professor of Spatial Planning and Policy at the National Technical University of Athens, School of Rural and Surveying Engineering, Greece. She is a member of international networks (NECTAR, COST A22, EFONET, etc.), Co-founder of Smart Cities and Communities – Mediterranean Cluster, Member of Smart Grid – Smart Cities / German Academy for Spatial Research and Planning - ARL, Coordinator of Gr-RAC - IYGU / IGU Initiative. She is author, co-editor, and co-author of 6 books, while she has published 20 book chapters and over 90 refereed journal and international conference publications. She is reviewer of a number of international journals and has participated in EU and national projects both as member of a research team and a coordinator. Her research interests focus on Sustainable Development, Urban and Regional Planning and Policy, Spatial Planning, Participatory Planning, Smart Cities and Communities, ICTs and Urban / Regional Development, ICTs and Rural Development, Culture/Tourism and Urban/Regional Development, Foresight Methodologies, etc.   Dimitris Kavroudakis is an Assistant Professor of “Geographical Analysis” in the Department of Geography, University of the Aegean, Greece