ABSTRACT
The Greek spatial planning system belongs to the “Napoleonic family” or to the “urbanism” ideal type, according to the different typologies of spatial planning systems (Nadin and Stead, 2008). These typologies either follow classifications (or families) of the legal and administrative systems within which planning operates, or they apply a wider set of criteria but nevertheless produce a similar set of ideal types. In the taxonomy of national planning systems by Newman and Thornley (1996), Greece is classified under the Napoleonic family of planning. The Napoleonic legal style “has a tendency to use abstract legal norms,” aims “to think about matters in advance” and “prepare[s] a complete system of rules based upon the codification of the abstract principles” (Newman and Thornley, 1996, p. 31). The authors highlight the high degree of centrality of the Greek planning system, which is in a constant state of flux.
