Avgerinos A Vlachos | Newcastle University (original) (raw)

Papers by Avgerinos A Vlachos

Newcastle University, School of Architecture, Planning & Landscape (SAPL), 2017

During the post-war decades, the ancestors of the planned interventions called Urban Regeneration... more During the post-war decades, the ancestors of the planned interventions called Urban Regeneration Policies (URPs) were used to address recessions and socio-economic restructurings. Yet after the outbreak of the various crises in Europe in 2007/8, austerity emerged as the major policy response. In the absence of academic studies for their current potential, this research provides a timely exploration of whether and how URPs can be used as antidote against current crises by focusing on Greek and English cities. Using a common vocabulary (conceptual framework) for the current crises in Greece and the UK and their interaction with urban development, this is an inductive attempt based on a grounded theory methodology to explore thematic areas stemming from the existing literature (policy objectives, recipes, principles, spatial focus) that could substantiate this potential. Drawing on primary qualitative data (interviews with academic and professional regeneration experts), this research suggests that although URPs cannot probably be the antidote per se, they have a positive role to play if they become part of a nexus of wider anti-crisis policies and if they adopt a counter-cyclical finance model. Similarly, this research argues that the urgent nature of the current crises is probably not enough to justify the creation of a generalisable URP ‘toolkit’ in a national or intra-urban level. The findings also expose a post-2007/8 dichotomy in the policy objectives, and in the criteria for selecting areas to be regenerated, imposed by austerity: a short-term social approach, dealing with the crises’ impact and a longer-term developmental approach battling against their causes, which highlight new discourses on whether extreme circumstances can justify the partial and provisional deviation from sustainable development, and if yes, towards which approach. In the future, further supporting evidence of these trends and normative suggestions could/should be searched out on regeneration schemes implemented after 2007/8.

For the whole Thesis, please contact me via my emai: avgevl@gmail.com

Reference:
Vlachos A. (2017), Urban regeneration policies as antidote to the current crises in European cities? Evidence from Greece and the UK, MSc Thesis supervised by Prof. Roger Burrows, Newcastle University: School of Architecture, Planning & Landscape (SAPL)

Newcastle University, School of Architecture, Planning & Landscape (SAPL), 2017

The position of this project is that the relationship between the degree of effectiveness of publ... more The position of this project is that the relationship between the degree of effectiveness of public participation (PP) and the delivery of a specific set of outcomes from regeneration, namely sustainable communities (SCs), is considerably strong. For many commentators (Sepe and Di Trapani, 2010), PP is a prerequisite for successful urban regeneration. But ‘success’ does not necessarily connote the construction of SCs: in cities like London, projects that are widely considered ‘economically successful’, magnify this thin, but invaluable difference. It is now common knowledge that PP has a role in regeneration’s outcomes, because communities can better recognise their own ills, leading towards more sustainable strategies (Raco et al., 2007). The afore-described position refers to this role after framing PP and regeneration’s outcomes in regard to some of their manifestations (i.e. effectiveness, sustainability).

The paper’s structure is comprised of the following: the key question is elaborated in Section 2 along with the definitions of main concepts and the methodological approach; in Section 3 the selected case studies are analysed only in regard to the key research question without describing trivial details from their context-content-organisation; finally, in Section 4 the key question is clearly answered by summarising its supportive arguments from the analysis.

For the whole paper, please contact me via my emai: avgevl@gmail.com

Reference:
Vlachos A. (2017), How important is the degree of effectiveness of public participation to delivering sustainable communities in urban regeneration?, Newcastle University: School of Architecture, Planning & Landscape (SAPL)

Newcastle University, School of Architecture, Planning & Landscape (SAPL), 2016

This work argues that the regeneration policy implemented in London Docklands in the 1980s and 19... more This work argues that the regeneration policy implemented in London Docklands in the 1980s and 1990s, under Conservative governments, intentionally by-passed the locality (due to ideological reasons), leading to its further demise, as if this policy was formed for a community that merely existed in the decision-makers’ imaginary. In 1981, the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC), one of the first Urban Development Corporations (UDC), was thought to be the best possible approach to meet the declared policy objectives; this work argues that this approach was indeed the best, since the policy objectives were severely confined to economic regeneration targets through physical developments, lacking any social and environmental dimensions and any direct objectives to tackle the Docklands’ decline.

In the mid-1970s, the docks started to close, because of global macrochanges (e.g. changing trade patterns, containerization, technological advances) and local micro-elements (e.g. unionised inflexible labour force, poor
management strategies), shrinking the supplementary industries too (Edwards, 1992; Church, 1988). By 1981, London Docklands was a land of dereliction and desolation with high poverty and unemployment rates and a weak (but politically active) working-class community, living in poor council housing (Hall, 2014; Edwards, 1992; Smith, 1991).

Ideologically driven, the 1979 Tory government’s response was to set-up the LDDC to facilitate economic regeneration, a policy objective that was believed that, if fulfilled, it would trigger an ‘avalanche effect’ disseminating positive outcomes to the locals. Since de-industrialisation signaled the collapse of traditional industries (e.g. shipping, manufacturing) and the upsurge of the importance of information services, the shift from Fordism to ‘flexible
accumulation’ was understood as justifying means to regenerate London Docklands towards financial services (Edwards, 1992). Therefore, the LDDC’s key policy objective was to produce a novel local economy based in the service
sector, and not to reduce unemployment figures (Church, 1988), or to enhance social prosperity/cohesion via other explicit targets.

Section 2 critically explores how the regeneration policy was formed and implemented under the prism of community involvement in order to answer whether the approach taken was the best possible one in meeting the policy
objectives; Section 3 delineates the aftermath of the implementation of such policy to the local community, and turns-over criticisms identified in the previous Section into proposals for future policy development; Section 4 reverts to the
work’s basic argument in order to reconsider the main research question, whilst drawing conclusions on whether this policy had review provisions, and on the future applicability of the adopted approach in other locations.

For the whole paper, please contact me via my emai: avgevl@gmail.com

Reference:
Vlachos A. (2016), London Docklands in the 1980s and 1990s: Regeneration policy for an 'imaginary' community?, Newcastle University: School of Architecture, Planning & Landscape (SAPL)

Newcastle University, School of Architecture, Planning & Landscape (SAPL), 2016

The position of this essay is that –both in principle and in effect– the courts’ role should rema... more The position of this essay is that –both in principle and in effect– the courts’ role should remain solely supervisory when dealing with planning-related issues, and not invade the decision-making realm; this position is supported by researching the implications of the current state of affairs and the implications of a potential reform, allowing the courts to exceed their supervisory role and act as primary decision-makers, in regard to various issues, including representative democracy, justice in regulating the use and development of land, and the need for informed decision-making through an efficient planning system. This work’s research question is about the courts’ role in planning matters; the legal supervision of decision-making and the function of decision-making are seen as mutually exclusive functions, from which the courts can/should only select one. The legal concepts to be used in elaborating the arguments are given at the beginning of every Section.

The structure of this essay follows the three main arguments that support the afore-mentioned position, which are related to both parts of the research question. Section 2 argues that exceeding the courts’ current role opposes the principles of representative democracy, since it removes the planning system’s legitimacy and accountability; Section 3 supports that maintaining the courts’ supervisory role ensures the planning system’s fair operation in regulating land issues, since it adds consistency and coherence in decision-making; Section 4 stresses the decision-makers’ familiarity with local needs/conditions and the planners’ professional expertise that renders the courts unsuitable for making planning decisions; finally, Section 5 clearly restates the afore-mentioned position and summarises its supporting arguments.

For the whole paper, please contact me via my emai: avgevl@gmail.com

Reference:
Vlachos A. (2016), The courts' role in planning: Legal supervisors or decision-makers?, Newcastle University: School of Architecture, Planning & Landscape (SAPL)

Newcastle University, School of Architecture, Planning & Landscape (SAPL), 2016

Planners face moral dilemmas that are not simple choices in black/white terms, but rather complex... more Planners face moral dilemmas that are not simple choices in black/white terms, but rather complex thought processes over alternative actions with worse or better consequences (Campbell, 2012; Healey, 1992). This means that ethical codes, such as the RTPI's (2016) Code of Conduct, can only be seen as starting points, not a panacea for practitioners. Such instruments merely establish the framework within which the professional must act in order to protect the society and/or the planner from illegal activities (Campbell, 2012). After all, the circumstances change from a moral dilemma to another, so their articulation cannot be confined within moulds of generic rules.

This essay argues that ethical conduct in planning has both positive and negative consequences for all stakeholders, and it is the planner’s job to at least acknowledge them before deciding a particular course of action. Despite the widening gap between planning theories and ethical considerations (Campbell,
2012), planners can seek shelter in the former when assessing their choices. This essay’s main objective is to elaborate alternative scenarios from such theoretical strands in order to eventually pinpoint the ethically right option within the crisis’ context and the particularities of the given dilemma.

Section 2 explores two highly unlikely scenarios (inaction and Machiavellian action); Section 3 constructs two scenarios within the deontological ethics strand; Section 4 builds the utilitarian scenario within a consequentialist theoretical framework; and Section 5 proposes how the planner should proceed, considering the implications of such scenarios to date. For convenience, it is hence assumed that the subject facing the dilemma is male.

For the whole paper, please contact me via my email: avgevl@gmail.com

Reference:
Vlachos A. (2016), The pursuit of ethical conduct in planning and advice on a newly appointed officer, Newcastle University: School of Architecture, Planning & Landscape (SAPL)

Newcastle University, School of Architecture, Planning & Landscape (SAPL), 2017

An (imaginary) critical dialogue between two individuals, discussing a planning-related case (see... more An (imaginary) critical dialogue between two individuals, discussing a planning-related case (see more Information) that stands as an analytical perambulation through the themes, concepts and arguments of the most prominent schools of thought in the planning theory literature.

Reference:
Vlachos A. (2017), Planning reflections: An imaginary dialogue, Newcastle University: School of Architecture, Planning & Landscape (SAPL)

MORE INFORMATION (the planning-related case)
Sunshine Town was the name used by the residents of an informal settlement situated right in the middle of Optimopolis. Sunshine Town had sprung up on land that had previously been occupied by the most ancient quarter of Optimopolis. After an earthquake devastated the original buildings, residents had attempted to move on with life and rebuild as best as they could. The neighbouring district had been prioritised for reconstruction and saw new businesses located there with government money and new homes for the business owners. The opportunity to live in the city centre with good nearby employment opportunities drew new families to the devastated area and Sunshine Town was born. The area had never had much in the way of modern water, sanitation and power utilities and the earthquake reduced access to these even further. Nevertheless, the draw of the growing city economy was strong and the land was soon filled with a patchwork of ad-hoc dwellings. Organised grassroots groups began to emerge in Sunshine Town, working to improve their own environment and lobbying for government assistance to improve living standards and access to infrastructure. The residents of the neighbouring district began to lobby the city government too. They claimed that Sunshine Town harboured dangerous criminal gangs and it couldn’t be denied that street crime arrests had increased.

The government of Optimopolis had a vision to become the second city of their nation as it shouldered its way onto the global stage. This vision involved the modernization of civic infrastructure and the improvement of housing, public health and public space for the city’s inhabitants. A proposal from the National Economic Development Corporation to buy and redevelop the land occupied by Sunshine Town seemed like a perfect opportunity. Optimopolis would get a huge boost to its economy and the part of the proceeds from the land sale could be used to move the residents of Sunshine Town to new, purpose-built housing designed to meet the higher living standards they were calling for. Sunshine Suburb was built, the fifth new development to follow a tried and tested blueprint consisting of sturdy concrete apartment blocks with good communal water and sanitation facilities. It was a little further away from the city centre than some of the other new residential developments – space was at a premium – but the Optimopolis government arranged for trucks and buses to move the thousands of residents of Sunshine Town the ten miles to their new homes. A new central business district was built and many residents of the older business district claimed to see a reduction in street crime. The government of Optimpolis is satisfied that they have done well, improved the lives of their citizens and taken important steps towards being a modern efficient city. A team of researchers has just arrived in Optimopolis, a mixture of local academics and their colleagues from overseas, funded by UN Habitat. They aren’t so sure that the government have got it right. (This scenario was built solely by Dr. Andrew Donaldson, Newcastle University)

Newcastle University, School of Architecture, Planning & Landscape (SAPL), 2017

This report advises the given business to reject or delay the proposed investment, maintaining it... more This report advises the given business to reject or delay the proposed investment, maintaining its initial capital as a liquidity safeguard against the current and the prospected (at least until the end of 2018) turbulences in both the wider economic environment and the market within which this business operates.

The structure of this report assists the substantiation of the afore-mentioned advice: Section 2 presents the assumptions that frame the firm and its market structure, allowing for a glimpse of the debates and the wider environment shadowing both this market and the UK; Section 3 elaborates the findings from the investment appraisal techniques (see Appendix), delineating their practical meanings in relation to the potential entrepreneurial objectives that the given investment connotes; Section 4, after approaching the risk attitudes that this investment implies for the given business, it justifies the selection of variables that portray the wider economic environment, and the market conditions, through mutually supportive forecasts from various institutions that question the validity of the previous findings; finally, Section 5 clearly restates the afore-mentioned advice, summarising its supporting arguments.

For the whole paper, please contact me via my emai: avgevl@gmail.com

Reference:
Vlachos A. (2017), Investment Appraisal Report, Newcastle University: School of Architecture, Planning & Landscape (SAPL)

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki: School of Spatial Planning & Development, 2016

This research investigates the developmental reformation of metropolitan Athens through an ‘inter... more This research investigates the developmental reformation of metropolitan Athens through an ‘internationalisation’ strategy of its economy with the aim of exiting the crisis. In the context of this strategy, economic functions (or sectors or activities) acknowledged by prominent scholars of the global/world city literature as of paramount importance, are empirically examined, for the improvement of the metropolis’ role into the regional or globalised economy. Utilising the qualitative analysis of eight (8) interviews, conclusions are drawn regarding the degree in which the afore-mentioned sectors can comprise (from-the-top) developmental priorities for the greek capital, as well as in vivo priorities and broader issues in which the city’s developmental planning should pay attention to. The paper’s final aim is to designate developmental priorities for Athens, and through them, to formulate policy guidelines so as to escape the crisis. Chapter A unravels the under-scrutiny literature and its following critique; Chapter B presents a detailed profile of Athens that highlights the crisis and delivers the formulation of the analysis’ framework, namely the selection of five (5) groups of activities from the literature so as to investigate their developmental significance, and finally, gives an initial review of these groups; Chapter C delineates the adopted methodology for the empirical research, and develops part of the qualitative analysis’ conclusions, as a means of diagnosis; Chapter D identifies developmental priorities in vivo by the privileged witnesses, presents the conclusions over the degree in which these theory-imposed sectors stand as planning priorities, and realises the final composition of all these priorities (in order of importance), from which the most basic policy guidelines are emanated in order for Athens to exit the crisis. Finally, a short Epilogue sums up the key findings over the key research questions and poses new research frontiers.

For more info, please contact me via my emai: avgevl@gmail.com

Reference:
Vlachos A. (2016), High flights from steep cliffs: Metropolitan Athens' economic 'internationalisation' to exit the crisis (in greek), Bachelor thesis supervised by Assoc. Prof. Athena Yiannakou & Assist. Prof. Athanasios Kalogeresis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki: School of Spatial Planning & Development

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki: School of Spatial Planning & Development, Jun 2015

This work attempts an as far as possible analytical perambulation in the Global City (S. Sassen) ... more This work attempts an as far as possible analytical perambulation in the Global City (S. Sassen) and the World City (P. Hall, J. Friedmann) paradigm under the prism of globalisation, development and generally of geography (space/place). This literature review highlights the pure interdisciplinary character of the study of the urban phenomenon (city), because of the contributions that has received from diverse epistemological fields, without implying that the ‘city’ phenomenon is only confined within this particular bibliography. This research consists of three basic Sections. Section A illuminates conceptually the terms urbanisation, development and space. For this reason, it initially performs a small introduction to the city, and afterwards, it timely presents the various approaches of regional and urban development. Section B includes the central schools of thought of the bibliography concerned, from the dawn of the 20th century and the Chicago School, till the first decade of the new millennium, including the most recent approaches. Section C passes the afore-mentioned approaches through a filter of critique, either in respect to standalone hypotheses of their own, or for the introduction of holistic (cosmopolitan) narrations that take into account all cities. The Conclusions of the research sum up the literature review, and simultaneously trace the common ground of the last approaches of Economic Geography with the corresponding approaches of the global/world city bibliography, as well as pose several research questions in relation to the political strand of the topic.

For more info, please contact me via my emai: avgevl@gmail.com

Reference:
Vlachos A. (2015), Global cities & World cities: Issues of urbanisation, globalisation & development (in greek), Research thesis supervised by Assist. Prof. Athanasios Kalogeresis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki: School of Spatial Planning & Development

ΕΓΝΑΤΙΑ ΟΔΟΣ ΑΕ: Παρατηρητήριο Εγνατίας Οδού, Nov 2015

Σύμφωνα με το πλαίσιο που θέτει το Παρατηρητήριο, οι Εκθέσεις Επιδράσεων της Εγνατίας Οδού επικεν... more Σύμφωνα με το πλαίσιο που θέτει το Παρατηρητήριο, οι Εκθέσεις Επιδράσεων της Εγνατίας Οδού επικεντρώνονται στη Ζώνη IV και στοχεύουν στην ανάδειξη βασικών ζητημάτων που σχετίζονται με τη λειτουργία της Εγνατίας Οδού. Η 3η Έκθεση Χωρικών Επιδράσεων αφορά στη συνθετική ανάλυση και παρουσίαση των επιδράσεων συνολικά του συστήματος Εγνατία Οδός και Κάθετοι Άξονες και καλύπτει τα τέλη της δεκαετίας του 2000 (που είχαν αρχίσει να φαίνονται τα πρώτα σημάδια της οικονομικής κρίσης) και τις αρχές της δεκαετίας του 2010. Επισημαίνεται ότι αναπόσπαστο τμήμα της ανάλυσης και της αξιολόγησης των επιδράσεων της Εγνατίας Οδού αποτελεί η τρέχουσα οικονομική κρίση, η οποία επηρέασε σημαντικά το σύνολο της Χώρας.

Η 3η Έκθεση Επιδράσεων βασίζεται στη μελέτη των αποτελεσμάτων των 38 δεικτών του Παρατηρητηρίου που είχαν εξεταστεί στα πλαίσια της 2ης Έκθεσης Επιδράσεων.
Διευκρινίζεται ότι σε σχέση με τη 2η Έκθεση Επιδράσεων, νεότερα διαθέσιμα δεδομένα (τα οποία μπορούν να χρησιμοποιηθούν με ασφάλεια ως προς την εκτίμηση των χωρικών επιδράσεων) υπάρχουν μόνο για 15 δείκτες. Όσον αφορά τους υπόλοιπους δείκτες, για τους οποίους είτε δεν υπάρχουν νεότερα στοιχεία είτε βασίζονται σε άπαξ μετρήσεις, παρουσιάζεται μια σύντομη περίληψη των δεδομένων της 2ης Έκθεσης Επιδράσεων. Επιπλέον, στην 3η Έκθεση Επιδράσεων
ενσωματώνονται και εξετάζονται και δέκα νέοι δείκτες, οι οποίοι μελετήθηκαν στα πλαίσια διαφόρων Εκθέσεων και Κειμένων Εργασίας του Παρατηρητηρίου.

H 3η Έκθεση Επιδράσεων ακολουθεί σε γενικές γραμμές το πλαίσιο αξιολόγησης της 2ης Έκθεσης. Μελετώντας τις Ευρωπαϊκές πολιτικές και συνεκτιμώντας τις ιδιαίτερες συνθήκες της τρέχουσας οικονομικής συγκυρίας, στην 3η Έκθεση Επιδράσεων επιλέγονται έξι παράμετροι βάσει των οποίων γίνεται η ταξινόμηση των δεικτών και η αξιολόγηση των αποτελεσμάτων τους.
o Κινητικότητα - Προσβασιμότητα
o Συνοχή - Ανάπτυξη
o Ισορροπία - Δικτύωση
o Περιβάλλον - Κλιματική αλλαγή
o Περιφερειακή ανθεκτικότητα
o Διατροπικότητα των μεταφορών, πολυκεντρική χωρική ανάπτυξη και διασυνοριακή εδαφική συνεργασία.

Για κάθε μία από τις πρώτες τέσσερις παραμέτρους επιλέγονται συγκεκριμένοι δείκτες με τους οποίους επιχειρείται η ανάλυση των χωρικών επιδράσεων ως προς αυτές τις παραμέτρους. Η 3η Έκθεση Επιδράσεων επικεντρώνεται κυρίως στα δεδομένα της περιόδου 2007-2014. Όσον αφορά στην πέμπτη παράμετρο, την περιφερειακή ανθεκτικότητα, η αξιολόγησή της βασίζεται σε δείκτες που μελετώνται για κάποια από τις πρώτες τέσσερις παραμέτρους, ενώ στην παράμετρο αυτή χρησιμοποιείται ως έτος-βάσης το 2009, καθώς συμπίπτει με την επίσημη έναρξη της έντονης οικονομικής ύφεσης που επηρέασε και εξακολουθεί να επηρεάζει τη Χώρα. Η έκτη παράμετρος, αυτή της διατροπικότητας των μεταφορών, της πολυκεντρικής χωρικής ανάπτυξης και της διασυνοριακής εδαφικής συνεργασίας, περιλαμβάνει διαπιστώσεις-συμπεράσματα που προέκυψαν από τη μελέτη της εξέλιξης διαφόρων δεικτών, οι οποίοι εξετάστηκαν στα πλαίσια της Μελέτης του Παρατηρητηρίου «Μελέτη επιδράσεων της Εγνατίας Οδού στη ΝΑ Ευρώπη: Διατροπικότητα των μεταφορών, Πολυκεντρική χωρική ανάπτυξη και Διασυνοριακή συνεργασία» και δεν ταυτίζονται στο σύνολό τους με τους δείκτες του Παρατηρητηρίου της Εγνατίας Οδού. Στη συνθετική αξιολόγηση επιχειρείται μια συνολική ποιοτικού χαρακτήρα εκτίμηση των επιδράσεων στις επιμέρους παραμέτρους λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τη συνολική εξέλιξη κρίσιμων μεγεθών, τη σχέση με τη μέση εξέλιξη αυτών των μεγεθών σε επίπεδο Χώρας και τη σχέση με τη μέση εξέλιξή τους στο σύνολο της Ζώνης IV.

For more info, please contact me via my emai: avgevl@gmail.com

Reference:
Yiannakou A., Eppas D., Zeka D., Vlachos A. (2015), 3rd Report on the Spatial Impacts of Egnatia Motorway (in greek), Geochoros Consultants S.A.: Contractual obligation with Egnatia Odos Observatory, Egnatia Odos S.A.