The building ratio as a critical variable for urban planning: the case study of Alexandroupolis

Abstract

A critical urban planning issue in Greek cites of intermediate population size, is the value of Building Rate (FSI). Using the city of Alexandroupolis as a case study, the analysis of FSI for each part of the city separately, has shown its deviations. Also, the examination of new indicators and indexes such as OSR (open space pressure ratio) and the GSI (compactness index), could lead to a unique and more accurate interpretation of the specific urban form. Overall, taking into account the general acceptance and the feasibility of compact forms, it documented that low FSI values (e.g. 0,7 or less), may lead to densities that could not support an acceptable compact urban form. Thus, the form of new urban development could have all the negative characteristics of sprawl. In general, Alexandroupolis has lost its urban compactness, while it follows a linear alternative urban form. Also, the new spatial factors (OSR and GSI), as well as FSI, should follow a rage of appropriate and acceptable values and thresholds. As a conclusion, it is proposed that the Greek urban planning system, should adopt a unique quantitative methodological framework, which could help for better spatial decisions and feasible urban forms.