The Metro transport system in Thessaloniki, Greece and its possible consequences on urban and labour geography

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to study the socio-economic inequalities within the catchment areas of the Metro Stations under construction in the city of Thessaloniki, Greece. Based on similar case-studies, the paper estimates the possible consequences that the Metro infrastructure will have on Thessaloniki’s urban geography and land-use patterns. Demographic, socio-occupational and housing data available on a postcode level are being used for the analysis of contemporary urban geography. The paper concludes with some tentative remarks regarding the different effects of the Metro Stations on distinct parts of the city, starting with the Stations nearby the west entry highway and ending to the eastern catchment areas close to the Municipalities of Kalamaria and Pylaia. It estimates that, soon after the Metro services will be available, new urban tendencies related to tertiarization and the increasing presence of upper social strata will come to front. In parallel, the Metro will further "force" labourers, lower social groups and traditional middle-sized firms to leave the center of the city, as among others, land values will significantly increase. The latter phenomena are in accordance with changes that occurred in many European and American cities that have developed a Metro system.