Sofia Nikolaidou | Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences

Papers by Sofia Nikolaidou

Crisis and Post-Crisis in Rural Territories, 2020

The research is aimed at presenting novel evidence on the contemporary dynamics of food sovereign... more The research is aimed at presenting novel evidence on the contemporary dynamics of food sovereignty initiatives and short agri-food chains that were triggered by the crisis. Based on a qualitative approach that combines both a theoretical framework and empirical research, the chapter unfolds the characteristics of two main types of direct food purchasing networks between producers and consumers: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and Markets Without Middlemen (MWM). The research mainly addresses new alliances and complementarities between rural and urban areas and the potential for food system transformation at the local, regional and national scales. The analysis shows that such initiatives can have a transformative effect on rural-urban linkages and patterns of food production, distribution and consumption, by promoting locally defined solutions based on reciprocity and solidarity. Moreover, it sheds light on the interplay between formal and informal public and civic practices and their influence on institutional and political recognition processes. Embedded in a wider discourse on the ethics of food, food system resilience, rural-urban development, urban food strategies, social inclusion, food sovereignty, health and food culture, the chapter discusses diverse perspectives on food system transformation.

Sociologia Ruralis

Recognition of the link between the origin of local food, farming practices and their territorial... more Recognition of the link between the origin of local food, farming practices and their territorial settings is important in increasing consumers’ trust and perceived value of quality schemes. Using the concepts of social learning and Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS), this study aims to strengthen consumers’ knowledge regarding local food and its territorial anchoring, by associating product quality with territorial attributes while facilitating consumer participation in the guarantee process. First, a total of 199 online questionnaires assessing consumer preferences for local food showed limited awareness and knowledge of practices connecting products, production processes and quality attributes. Additionally, based on an existing PGS for a local cheese with (Thessaly, Greece), we combined consumer expectations and producers’ guarantees through farm visits and a participatory focus group facilitated by interactive visualisation technology. Results showed that visualised knowledge of intangible and tangible territorial resources raised consumers’ awareness and appreciation of specific quality attributes while helping co-construct shared meanings related to the place of production, local know-how and historical and cultural practices. Thus, it appears that this approach further prepared the ground for consumers’ future “physical” or “virtual” engagement in a bottom-up collaboration for the ongoing negotiation of trust and social control built on trust.

Object: The present proposal explores the digital representation of the Participatory Guarantee S... more Object: The present proposal explores the digital representation of the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) of the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheese feta with the territorial mark 'Terra Thessalia' created under LACTIMED European program. Aim: The aim is the relief revelation and guarantee of the products quality through the use of ICT technology and the creation of a pilot visualization tool of "the link of the product to the place of production" in an understandable way for the "average" consumer. Methods: The research is based on: (a) processes recording of identification and revelation of a geographical indication (GI) food and its distinctive characteristics associated with the place of production through interconnection of various PGS features of a territorial resource and their role on the PGS, b) previous research utilizes a conducted preliminary consumer survey on local food preferences, and c) use and connectivity of modern ICT interactive representation technologies. Results: Creating an interactive web-based digital pilot representation tool of "product and its link to place of production". The proposed tool combines the PGS guarantees representation and the simulation of, inter alia, the site's real image including both geographic material elements and immaterial element (principles, values, heritage, etc) by using ICT, in order to enhance the interactivity and accessibility of the GPS itself and to integrate consumers into the guarantee process.

Cette communication aborde les questions du devenir des agricultures periurbaines et de leur cont... more Cette communication aborde les questions du devenir des agricultures periurbaines et de leur contribution au developpement durable des villes a travers la viticulture, specialisation historique de beaucoup de regions mediterraneennes, ayant acquis une forte reputation viti-vinicole mais menacee par une tres forte pression de l'urbanisation, particulierement sur le littoral. Ces territoires periurbains du littoral mediterraneen connaissent une dynamique demographique soutenue, un developpement important des infrastructures de communication et de tourisme et une concentration d'activites economiques non agricoles qui ont comme consequences: une augmentation des prix des terres, le morcellement du foncier, la diminution des terres agricoles, l’augmentation de la pluriactivite et l’incitation de strategies speculatives, ayant comme risque la disparition de leurs vignobles emblematiques. L’analyse est menee a partir de deux cas concrets, dans la plaine de Messogheia, a l'est ...

How can agriculture contribute to the sustainable development of European cities? How can agricul... more How can agriculture contribute to the sustainable development of European cities? How can agriculture and horticulture create vital urban spaces that have new social and ecological qualities and are also economically viable? Urban Agriculture Europe is the first comprehensive, transdisciplinary publication about urban agriculture in Europe. Apart from well-known examples of urban food gardens in Western European metropolises, this volume also studies innovative forms of agriculture on the urban periphery, bringing in experiences in Eastern and Southern Europe. The contributions approach urban agriculture from the point of view of social science, the economy, agricultural ecology, and spatial planning and address the role of citizens, involved parties, and politics, as well as operational models and planning tools. Case studies from Barcelona, Dublin, Geneva, Milan, Sofia, Warsaw, and the Ruhr Metropolis allow a comparative view of European practice. Statements from involved parties and guidance for cities and regions round off the publication.

Urban Agriculture, 2017

Urban gardening has never been a tradition in Greece. Their recent growing number is mainly linke... more Urban gardening has never been a tradition in Greece. Their recent growing number is mainly linked to the economic crisis affecting particularly urban households. The deepening crisis and the increasing urban (neo)poverty began to challenge local authorities to search for alternative ways of food (fresh and affordable) provisioning. Municipal Allotment Gardens, the prominent type of institutional response, are embraced by both the local authorities and citizens as alternative spaces within city neighborhoods for ensuring livelihoods and providing a way out of the multiple effects of the recent crisis. Drawing on empirical fieldwork from three different municipal allotment gardens, this study explores the institutional and political context of their establishment and local authorities’ aspirations. In addition, through interviews and focus groups investigates motivations for applying for a municipal plot as well as lived experiences of gardeners shedding light on sustainability issues and future perspectives of these “crisis gardens”. Either driven by the economic crisis, or other motivations such as community building, psychotherapy, re-connection with nature and greening the city, these projects play an important role in the city as well as in the creation of new identities and a sense of belonging for urban dwellers. However, despite their success and their growing popularity, municipal allotment gardens are considered a short-term action of social policy rather than a long-term sustainable urban planning strategy challenging the conventional modes of land management and governance in Greek cities.

Urban gardening and the struggle for social and spatial justice, 2019

Urban Planning, 2016

In the context of urban densification and central urban areas’ lack of open spaces, new forms of ... more In the context of urban densification and central urban areas’ lack of open spaces, new forms of small-scale urban gardening practices have emerged. These gardening practices respond to urban pressures and open new modes of green space governance, presenting alternative and multifunctional ways to manage and revitalise cities. Focusing on the case of Geneva, the article unfolds two levels of discussion. On the one hand—and with reference to the theorist Habermas—it examines how multiple actors with different interests interplay and cooperate with each other in order to negotiate over open space, while discussing implications for local politics and planning. On the other hand, it describes how these negotiations result in new, innovative, and hybrid forms of public green space. The main findings indicate emerging forms of collaboration, partnerships, and governance patterns that involve public and private sectors and increase participation by civil society actors. Cooperation amongst...

Cet ouvrage analyse les enjeux de gestion des espaces agricoles et naturels menacés par l’urbanis... more Cet ouvrage analyse les enjeux de gestion des espaces agricoles et naturels menacés par l’urbanisation sur le littoral méditerranéen. La comparaison d’études de cas situées en Espagne, en France, en Italie, en Albanie, en Grèce et en Tunisie montre la transformation des paysages agricoles et naturels, les jeux d’acteurs qui les sous-tendent et les défis que leur urbanisation engendre pour l’aménagement. Après une période de tolérance des constructions et d’aménagements intensifs, les pouvoirs publics et la société civile prennent conscience que la préservation de l’agriculture et de la nature se justifierait d’un point de vue paysager, social, productif et environnemental. Pourtant, leur protection se heurte à la pression de l’urbanisation et du tourisme balnéaire qui demeurent les principaux moteurs du développement économique. Face à des mesures de protection réglementaires délicates à mettre en œuvre, d’autres voies de valorisation des espaces agricoles et naturels sont envisagée...

Cahiers de la Méditerranée, 2021

International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT), 2020

Crisis and Post-Crisis in Rural Territories, 2020

Toward Sustainable Relations Between Agriculture and the City, 2018

CoST Action Urban Agriculture Europe, 2015

International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT) , 2020

Η αστική γεωργία, με μακρά ιστορία και γνώριμη δραστηριότητα στον δυτικό κόσμο της «παλιάς εκβιομ... more Η αστική γεωργία, με μακρά ιστορία και γνώριμη δραστηριότητα στον δυτικό κόσμο της «παλιάς εκβιομηχάνισης και αστικοποίησης», ανακαλύπτεται μόλις πρόσφατα στην Ελλάδα υπό τη μορφή κυρίως δημοτικών αστικών λαχανόκηπων. Η πρόσφατη οικονομική κρίση, η εντεινόμενη ύφεση της οικονομίας και οι περικοπές στις κοινωνικές παροχές που δημιουργούν ανησυχητικά φαινόμενα φτωχοποίησης των νοικοκυριών, ιδιαίτερα στα αστικά κέντρα, οδήγησαν αρκετούς Δήμους της χώρας στην ανάληψη τέτοιων πρωτοβουλιών. Στις πολιτικές τους προβάλλονται η ανακούφιση των δημοτών μέσω της ιδίας παραγωγής τροφίμων και η κοινωνική ένταξη ευάλωτων ομάδων του πληθυσμού (άνεργοι, συνταξιούχοι, μονογονεϊκές οικογένειες, κ.ά.), χωρίς να υποστέλλονται βέβαια οι στόχοι του εξωραϊσμού και της περιβαλλοντικής διαχείρισης.
Η εισήγηση αυτή αποσκοπεί στη διερεύνηση της θέσης και του ρόλου της αστικής γεωργίας στο σχεδιασμό βιώσιμων πόλεων, μέσα από τον επαναπροσδιορισμό των σχέσεων πόλης- υπαίθρου. Αναγνωρίζοντας τον πολυλειτουργικό ρόλο της γεωργίας (δηλ. ότι πέρα από την παραγωγή τροφίμων συμβάλλει επίσης και στην παραγωγή δημόσιων αγαθών, όπως τοπιακή ποικιλότητα, διατήρηση ανοικτών χώρων και αναψυχή, δημόσια υγεία, κ.ά.), τοποθετούμε τη γεωργία στην αστική ατζέντα, στο πλαίσιο μιας αγροτο-αστικής προσέγγισης του σχεδιασμού βιώσιμων πόλεων. Ο αυξανόμενος αριθμός δημοτικών αγροκηπίων που παρατηρείται πρόσφατα στην Ελλάδα επιβεβαιώνει τη δυναμική του κοινωνικού αιτήματος για (επαν)οικειοποίηση του δημόσιου χώρου και την ανάγκη επανασύνδεσης με τη φύση, τη γεωργική γη και τις αγροτικές αξίες μέσω της ιδίας παραγωγής φρέσκων κηπευτικών. Επιπλέον, όμως, θέτει το ζήτημα της διάρκειας των εγχειρημάτων αυτών, δεδομένων των πολλαπλών προβλημάτων σχετικά με συγκρούσεις χρήσεων γης, πολεοδομικές και ιδιοκτησιακές εμπλοκές, πολυνομία και γραφειοκρατικές χρονοβόρες διαδικασίες κοκ. Τα ζητήματα αυτά θα διερευνηθούν στη βάση των αποτελεσμάτων έρευνας που πραγματοποιήθηκε σε δύο δημοτικούς αστικούς λαχανόκηπους στη βόρεια Ελλάδα.

Crisis and Post-Crisis in Rural Territories, 2020

Sociologia Ruralis

Urban Agriculture, 2017

Urban gardening and the struggle for social and spatial justice, 2019

Urban Planning, 2016

Cahiers de la Méditerranée, 2021

International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT), 2020

Crisis and Post-Crisis in Rural Territories, 2020

Toward Sustainable Relations Between Agriculture and the City, 2018

CoST Action Urban Agriculture Europe, 2015

International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT) , 2020

This work addresses the current discourse on peri-urbanization dynamics and its emergence in the ... more This work addresses the current discourse on peri-urbanization dynamics and its emergence in
the wide metropolitan area of Athens and the plain of Messoghia. In order to examine the driving forces of the main socio-spatial transformation processes that are taking place in metropolitan fringe areas
the study investigated if and how decentralization of economic activities is related to peri-urbanization of population in the specific case of Messoghia. First it explored the geographical and functional width of the work-residence linkages. Second it investigated the socio-occupational dimension of daily movements to work in order to reveal the evolving socio-spatial structure of the metropolitan peri-urban space. Finally, the research explored the influence of the recent development strategies of large-scale infrastructure on the current peri-urbanization patterns/processes that are based on accessibility, land-use change and economic restructuring and the conflicts and contradictions between the existing planning policies and practices in Messoghia.
The study points out the polarizing effects of the ongoing urbanization of the central metropolitan agglomeration that is expanding in terms of economic and residential development through a “decentralized” network of functional linkages between center, peri-urban towns and rural hinterland. Moreover, the emerging peri-urbanization patterns in Messoghia do not constitute a strong polycentric structure in terms of compactness or hierarchy of towns and cities because of the high levels of dispersed and uncontrolled urban development in rural peri-urban areas (ribbon development along the main communication axes, dispersed isolated structures).
The ongoing urbanization processes is mostly characterized by an unplanned and spontaneous mode of expansion, related to a great loss of farmland and natural landscape in rural/urban fringe. The main problems refer to weaknesses related with regulatory control of rural areas, coastal protection policies and environmental planning, absence of proper agri-urban policies, integration of the peri-urban interface. All these problems derive from piecemeal planning practices and mixed regulations as well as from informal development practices (illegal settlements) and raise concerns about the negative environmental impacts of low density development. The perspectives of the future relation between employment and population deconcentration is therefore discussed in the context of generalized crisis and unemployment, emphasizing on the necessity of more compact development patterns in order to preserve sustainability of future urban and rural development.

New forms of urban gardening are gaining a momentum in cities transforming the conventional use a... more New forms of urban gardening are gaining a momentum in cities transforming the conventional use and functions of open green and public space. They often take place through informal and temporal (re)use of vacant land "that is considered to have little market value" (Chmelzkopf 1996: 364) consisting part of greening strategies or social policy. Increased adoption of such forms within urban areas underlies discussions of changing contemporary social and productive urban landscapes by raising important issues regarding new modes of land use management, green space governance and collaborative structures. This paper mainly focuses on the shifted meanings of the notion of open public space by referring to its openness to a diversity of uses and users that claim it and relates to the questions of access rights, power relations among actors, negotiations and the so called right to use and re-appropriate land (Hackenbroch 2013). By using examples drawn from the Greek and Swiss case, this paper advances comparative research under a European perspective underlining differences and similarities in urban gardening practices, social and institutional contexts, collaborative governance patterns, motivations, levels of institutionalisation, openness and inclusiveness of space between Northern and Southern Europe. More specifically the research calls attention to the critical role of the temporary nature of these initiatives in relation to their multifunctional, spatial and socio-political aspects that affects new configurations of urban green areas and public space as well as related planning practices. Therefore it investigates: a) What are the driving factors in each context and what forms of space and governing structures do they generate? b) How do these growing spaces influence the usability and accessibility of open/public space? c) What are the potentials, constraints, future prospects and urban policy implications of such urban gardening projects for sustainable development incentives?

A wide range of new collective forms of urban gardening are broadly emerging worldwide via altern... more A wide range of new collective forms of urban gardening are broadly emerging worldwide via alternative citizen-led practices and public participation. This illustrates the increasing significance of the role of civil society in urban governance mechanisms and poses questions on the democratic dimension of urban planning and development (Adams & Hardman 2014, Ernwein 2014, Nikolaïdou et al 2016, Rosol 2010). Based on research on urban gardening initiatives in Greece and Germany, this paper analyses in a comparative perspective various aspects of practices that emerge in different governance settings. The purpose is to highlight forms of cooperation between civil society and political-administrative actors and critically examine the democratic potentials, limitations and opportunities of cooperative urban development. The focus of analysis is on governance-settings and practices. In conclusion it is shown, that despite different socioeconomic and political contexts similar conflicts arise in both countries: The traditional state-centred forms of decision and policy-making processes are challenged by the recent urban gardening movement that prioritises civic engagement encompassing innovative and experimental practices in urban development. In Germany the decentralised planning system and a longer tradition in communicative planning facilitate the development of cooperative planning cultures in urban greening on local level. In Greece, by contrast, urban planning is much more centralised with a deficient practice of collaboration. Corresponding with the recent rise of urban gardening initiatives and a stronger movement towards direct democracy in Greece, planning cultures in both countries currently seem to change towards an active role of civil society and a more democratic urban development.

Springer Nature Switzwerland AG, 2020

The research is aimed at presenting novel evidence on the contemporary dynamics of food sovereign... more The research is aimed at presenting novel evidence on the contemporary dynamics of food sovereignty initiatives and short agri-food chains that were triggered by the crisis. Based on a qualitative approach that combines both a theoretical framework and empirical research, the chapter unfolds the characteristics of two main types of direct food purchasing networks between producers and consumers: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and Markets Without Middlemen (MWM). The research mainly addresses new alliances and complementarities between rural and urban areas and the potential and broader conditions for food system transformation and for informal public and civic practices institutionalization, at the local, regional and national scales. The analysis shows that such initiatives can have a transformative effect on rural-urban linkages and patterns of food production, distribution and consumption, by promoting locally defined solutions for food justice and food security for both rural and urban residents based on reciprocity and solidarity. Moreover, it sheds light on the interplay between formal and informal practices, their influence on the institutional and political environment, the discourse on the ethics of food, food system resilience, rural-urban development, urban food strategies, social inclusion, food sovereignty, health and food culture and the perspectives on food system transformation. It is observed that after years in which these grassroots dynamics have been generated and consolidated into social processes, political recognition and institutional innovations are now emerging at the local scale and formal and informal reforms are triggered by legitimization processes at the national scale. What is more, new chances of dialogue, interrelations and potential synergies between grassroots movements and public initiatives on food issues could be identified at the local and regional scale.

The discourse concerning the quality of life, sustainable development and environmental protectio... more The discourse concerning the quality of life, sustainable development and environmental protection is currently dominant in public fora. Furthermore, the origins of many conflicts and tensions in peri-urban metropolitan areas are closely related to land-use and development pressures that incite environmental disputes and social conflicts. This work aims to analyze the evolving social and geographical dimension of conflicts in the peri-urban metropolitan area of Athens by focusing on social pressures related to environmental conflicts and governance issues observed during the period 2007-2012. The period under consideration marks a turning point in Greek society as it starts with dynamic economic development in the first years of the 21st century and ends with a serious economic depression with multiple effects on social and political aspects of life. Our approach focuses on " environmental conflicts " which are defined here as conflicts where the question of the environment is used as a main issue by at least one of the adversaries. This research aims to present a general view of the evolution of the environmental movement at regional level, in the region of Attica, during a decade in which Greek society faced rapid and radical changes. After having presented our methodological approach, this research will put forward the main results concerning geographical distribution and their relation to some social factors. Cartographie de la dynamique d'utilisation des terres, conflits environnementaux et pressions sociales dans la zone péri-urbaine d'Athènes Résumé. Le discours sur la qualité de vie, le développement durable et la protection de l'environnement est actuellement dominant dans les forums publics. En outre, les origines de nombreux conflits et tensions dans les régions métropolitaines péri-urbaines sont étroitement liées à l'utilisation des terres et le développement des pressions qui attisent les conflits environnementaux et des disputes sociales. Ce travail vise à analyser la dimension sociale et géographique des conflits en évolution dans la région métropolitaine péri-urbaine d'Athènes en mettant l'accent sur les pressions sociales liées aux conflits environnementaux et les questions de gouvernance observées au cours de la période 2007-2012. La période considérée marque un tournant dans la société grecque comme elle commence par un développement économique dynamique dans les premières années du 21 e siècle et se termine par une dépression économique grave avec de multiples effets sur la vie sociale et politique. Notre approche se concentre sur les « conflits environnementaux » qui sont ici définis comme des conflits où la question de l'environnement est utilisée comme une question principale par au moins l'un des adversaires. Cette recherche a pour but de présenter une vue d'ensemble de l'évolution du mouvement environnemental au niveau régional, dans la région de l'Attique, au cours d'une décennie où la société grecque a fait face à des changements rapides et radicaux. Après avoir présenté l'approche méthodologique, nous allons mettre en évidence les principaux résultats de la recherche concernant la répartition géographique et leur relation avec certains facteurs sociaux. Mots-clés. Conflits environnementaux – Disputes sociales – Espace périurbain – Crise – Athènes – Grèce.

Sofia Nikolaidou | Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences (original) (raw)

Papers by Sofia Nikolaidou