The Effects of the Globalization on Greek Urban Landscape

The physiognomy of the Greek city is shaped by -according to the results of N.T.U.A. Urban Design Laboratory for "the physiognomy of Greek city" a wide variety of elements of different origin. Some of these are the physically "em-bossed" characteristics, the topography of the soil, the presence of the natural element, the climate etc. Apart from the elements that are determined by geophysical position, a very significant role is played by the cultural and especially the architectural heritage. This heritage can refer to merely the notorious ancient name of cities with great heritage (eg. Thiva, Argos) or even to whole historical centers highlighted with vivid memory elements (eg. monuments). However, in order to determine the physiognomy of Greek cities, apart from physical and cultural characteristics, we need to focus on the "Logos" (Speech) and "Myth" of a city, as an expression of the communal consciousness of the citizens meaning the civilization itself (Kamperou, 1984). Furthermore, the physiognomy of the Greek city is influenced both by political social financial systems and by the human factor which is the overall character and the temperament of the Greeks. In addition, it would be an omission not to mention the influence of the legislative frame in the shaping of the physiognomy of Greek cities, while the character of Greeks and the specific characteristics of people from different Greek regions also play a very important part. For example, people from Crete, Macedonia, Cyclades, Thessalia, etc. On the other hand, while the effects of globalization are continuously enhanced and are more frequently observed at urban surroundings, the question that first comes forward is whether the European Union (E.U.) contributes through its policy and actions to the confrontation of the "devastating" phenomenon of globalization and secondly to which extent it identifies with it or at least contributes to its expansion. We should however differentiate the globalization phenomenon from the creation of the E.U. The latter, according to a series of E.U. declarations which have moved forward to the state of action and undertaking of the necessary measurements aim at the respect and the enhancement of local peculiarity of European nations. Undoubtedly the greatest advantage of Europe is the diversity in cultural values and ways of life. Consequently, the inner resistance of Greek cities to any radical change and distortion of their characteristic physiognomy is supported by the European Union. As presented in the research, the E.U. increasingly attempts to eliminate the effects of globalization that might threaten the cultural and social constitution of Europe. The first European actions have thus been supported on powerful cultural base and cultural heritage. Naturally, Greece is a place which has these characteristics in a high degree.