The historic urban refugee settlements in Χanthi: urban development and assessment of the possibilities for the protection of existing buildings

Abstract

This study examines two urban refugee settlements that were created in the city of Xanthi, after the end of the Asia Minor Campaign (1919-1922), to house part of the displaced population coming from the regions of Asia Minor, Eastern Thrace and Pontus. The main incentive for the conduct of this research was the issue of historic buildings located outside the statutory conservation areas, such as the Old City of Xanthi, which are therefore threatened by the intense urbanization and building of blocks of flats that have occurred over the last fifty years. This article aims to present the development of these refugee settlements and to examine the possibilities for the promotion and protection of the remaining historic buildings.