Local Sustainable Development and Social Resistance

Local Sustainable Development and Social Resistance

Module Leaders: Costis Hadjimichalis, Professor Kalliopi Sapountzaki, Associate Professor

The course aims to discuss opportunities and constraints for local sustainable development across Europe and Greece focusing both on formal planning by local agents (i.e. municipalities, regions and other agencies) and on local social movements (e.g. protecting environmental assets or demanding socio-spatial justice).

Themes to be discussed include models and theories of local economic development, spatial division of labour, informalization, social economy, the notion of sustainability, Agenda 21, issues of risks and uncertainties, urban and local governance, local development companies, European policies for local sustainable development and the distinction between local development in a place vs. local development of a place. Various urban and rural case studies will be analysed including – among others- Third Italy, Valencia, South Wales, Kastoria, Trikala, Anavra and Chios. Students will learn to work as a team to design a local sustainable development plan following EU and national guidelines. A 3-day field trip in Greece is also part of the course.