Greece's Spatial Planning Policy Shapes Future of Islands and Rural Areas

Spatial planning in Greece is presented as a political choice that determines what is built, where land remains undeveloped, how resources are managed and which economic sectors grow. The gap between planning theory and practice has left lasting marks on the landscape and affected environmental resilience.

In response, citizen groups have launched the SOS programme of the Greek Environment and Culture Society (ELLE), collecting complaints about illegal construction, landscape alteration and ecosystem threats from mountain villages in Epirus to island municipalities in the Aegean. The programme aims to set limits on over‑development, arguing that preserving the character of places enhances economic durability. Recent pressure from tourism has led to over‑building on islands, straining infrastructure and pushing several islands onto Europa Nostra’s “7 Under Threat” list, where ELLE represents Greece.