‘Rural’ sprawl, Mykonian style: a scaling paradox

Abstract

The diffusion of residential and commercial low-density settlements is a phenomenon observed in both urban and rural areas of Europe irrespective of their development level and urban form. In southern Europe, the socioeconomic and territorial characteristics of regions experiencing sprawl are extremely variegated and need further studies. The comparison of case studies that differ in population size and density, social and economic features, land availability, and local culture may thus provide sound information to overcome the above-mentioned information gap. In the present study, we provided an example of second-home and tourism-driven sprawl occurring in an originally low-density rural area (Mykonos, Greece). The assessment of Mykonos’ sprawl was carried out by using statistical data from multiple sources, including the censuses of population, buildings, and agriculture together with land-use and field survey. Results (1) define urban expansion phases in Mykonos, (2) illustrate the peculiarity of this process compared to other paradigmatic Greek areas, and (3) indicate an integrated assessment framework of urban sprawl in originally low-density insular areas. Finally, the economic and environmental implications of urban diffusion in Mykonos at both local and regional scale have been discussed.

Keywords:

• tourism-driven sprawl
• residential settlements
• land fragmentation
• Mykonos
• Kyklades
• Greece