Dimitris Kaliampakos

Assessing the benefits of reclaiming urban quarries: a CVM analysis

Abstract Rehabilitation of abandoned quarry sites could alleviate the effects of environmental dereliction and could meet the social demand for improvement of the quality of life in urban centers. Nevertheless, reclamation benefits are often overlooked in assessment procedures, since they are hard to estimate, at least in monetary terms. This paper examines the economic value of rehabilitation works, using an environmental economics framework. The survey is based on the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM), using as a case study an abandoned quarry site in the center of Athens, Greece. According to the estimates, recreation of the mined area produces an important economic value, which is associated with residents’ preferences. The results provide quantitative information that may be used in a beneficial way to justify environmental policy and to provide additional Government funding towards environmental treatment of derelict land.

Landscape Analysis as a Tool for Surface Mining Design

Surface mining operations constitute one of the most visible and significant landscape offenders because of their geomorphologic and aesthetic effects. In recent years, the disturbance of the landscape owing to surface mining activities seems to be one of the most significant issues to deal with, as it raises serious conflicts between the public and the extractive industry. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt an environmentally friendly design for an excavation of any possible degree. Thus far, existing visual-impact assessment methodologies provide little support towards this direction as a consequence of their, mainly, qualitative character. In this paper we describe a new, more quantitative, methodological approach which is based on the measurement of topographic relief alteration caused by mining and quarrying works, and which makes use of modern mining software and geographic information systems tools. The methodology provides the means to adjust the excavation design in a way that minimizes visual impacts caused by the landform reprofiling. It can be applied in every stage of the life of a mine project. Moreover, if modified, it can also be used for the estimation of topographic relief alteration in projects within the construction sector that involve significant earthmoving works.

Underground aggregate mining in Athens: a promising investment plan

The introduction of stricter environmental regulations regarding the operation of open-pit quarries in the wider area of Athens has resulted in the closure of many quarrying operations. The aggregate production cannot further ensure the meeting of demand in the area and alternative schemes are being examined so as to provide long-term solutions to that issue. This paper focuses on the development of underground aggregate exploitations in the region, providing the basis for an in depth financial appraisal supported by the mine design process which also involves the utilisation of the underground space. It is proved that beyond the environmental advantages offered by this particular solution, underground limestone mining is also an attractive investment plan. Critical importance to the latter plays the space utilisation process that can be looked as a real estate development project.

Rehabilitation of an handoned quarry used as uncontrolles landfill

Abstract It has been a common although the least rational practice for a lot of abandoned quarries to be used as sites for uncontrolled waste disposal. Such is the case of the Karens abandoned quarries in Athens. Greece. The area of Kareas. faced an intense quarrying activity during the 60s and 70s, though without any envirorniicntal consideration, thus causing the dramatic aesthetic degradation of the mountains visible side. For the next twenty years, in the name of reshaping of the huge craters which had been created in the area, an uncontrolled disposal of constrution debris as well as municipal solid waste ( MSW) took place. Thus, the largest uncontrolled landfill in Greece was formed, stretching to almost 40 hectares, particulary in one of the most beautiftil sites of Athens As a result, new, more intense environmental problems appeared, such is landslide hazards, ground water pollution, visual pollution etc. This paper presents the overall methodology for the rehabilitation of the area, which.has p...

Bridging the Gap Between Quarrying Activity and the Public: A Case Study in Athens, Greece

Public opposition against quarrying activity is not a local, and certainly not a recent phenomenon. In the case of Attica basin, Greece, this conflict had started almost thirty years ago. Until today any attempt to deal with the problem proved to be ineffective. This paper presents the case study of a quarry, located very close to residential areas of the wider Athens region, which was forced to cease its operation due to the repeated complaints of the residents. The analysis showed that the root causes of the problem were very different from the ones that have been initially brought forth. The main aim of the study has been the finding of win-win solutions, which could constitute the basis for consent between the public and the quarry developers.

Underground space development: setting modern strategies

Underground space development is an irreversible trend especially in urban environments. At this time the underground facilities have proved their usefulness in terms of efficiency and environmental friendliness. Nevertheless, in order to fully exploit the subsurface, new strategies need to be adopted in the whole context of city planning. This includes the introduction of new terms such as the valuation of the underground space, the adoption of integrated planning and zoning policies of the underground uses and the modernisation of the legal framework to incorporate the three-dimensional partition of the property. This paper discusses these issues, the adoption of which can lead to the development of a strategic underground plan, facilitating and further mobilising the hidden potential of underground space utilisation.

Protection of architectural heritage: attitudes of local residents and visitors in Sirako, Greece.

Architectural heritage comprises one of the most important elements of mountain settlements in Greece. It holds high cultural value, represents the tangible continuation of the past and forms the unique character and identity of each mountain region. Yet, controversy regarding funding for its preservation often arises. In this paper, we used two Contingent Valuation surveys to estimate the social benefit deriving from protecting the traditional architecture in the mountainous village of Sirako and, through it, to examine perceptions and attitudes of local residents and visitors. Research findings revealed a strong social will in favor of the good’s protection followed by high percentages of positive willingness to pay (WTP). However, WTP is significantly higher among residents. Cultural heritage value, of the good, appears to prevail, along with the environmental one. However, both residents and visitors pointed out that local heritage, if well-preserved, will boost tourism development. Residents appeared to better recognize the true level of architectural decay, expressed higher apprehension for its protection and were willing to pay higher amount of money. Tourists, on the other side, expressed high satisfaction for their visit, appreciated the beauty and serenity emerging from local built and natural environment and spent several days visiting the surrounding area. The longer they stayed and got familiar with the village, the more willing they were to contribute to local heritage’s protection. Percentages reflecting indifference for protecting architecture were extremely low. Yet, they were higher among tourists. Traditional architecture is considered as public good; an opinion resulting in an important percentage of visitors stating that national government should provide the necessary funding. In addition, the architecture appears to hold a high level of topicality. Those descending from Sirako or emotionally connected to it, of both social groups, turned out to be more concerned about the good and with a stronger sense of responsibility for it. Use-value of the good holds high economic value, as well, while higher percentages of zero WTP appeared among non-users. Research findings revealed social attitudes and perceptions on what constitutes architectural heritage, in its cultural and economic frame. If taken under consideration, they may form useful drivers for local, heritage-based, sustainable development.

Assessing the chromatic contrast in open surface excavations: a comparative study between subjective and quantitative approaches

The difficulties in the quantification of various aspects of visual impacts, among them the colour contrast, have resulted in delay of the development of effective assessment methodologies for mining operations. Technological evolution in image analysis has boosted the progression of more quantitative approaches. Yet, the critical question on how close the quantitative results are to the perceived colour difference remains an open issue. This paper is one of the few efforts to bridge subjective opinions gathered by a public preference survey with quantitative estimates of three different measurement approaches. Two main conclusions are drawn. First, people tend to compare the colour of the exposed excavation with the colour of the area near the edges of the quarry site. Second, the subjective colour difference is affected by landscape features that cannot be measured in numerical terms from existing image analysis tools.

Construction industry and archaeology: a land-use conflict on the island of Andros, Greece

Recent discoveries of an archaeological site near a complex of an aggregate quarry and a concrete plant on the island of Andros, Greece, have caused considerable controversy. More specifically, the continued operation of the aggregate quarry and concrete making plant was questioned, after the discovery of an important Neolithic settlement in the vicinity of the plants. The relocation of the quarry and the concrete plant is not an easy task, due to the touristic character of the island, as well as the great number of other antiquities found all over the island. On the other hand, the closure of the plant would have had significant implications on the islands economy. In the light of this situation, the symbiosis of these two different activities has been examined. According to the results of the study, the two activities can coexist under certain conditions, which are discussed in the article.

Energy poverty in Greek mountainous areas: a comparative study

The paper studied the energy poverty in the mountainous areas of Greece through parallel primary surveys, in comparison with the country-level conditions. The surveys are based on objective financial and expenditure data as well as on subjective views about housing conditions. The objective approach showed that mountainous areas of Greece are burdened with much higher energy expenditure while also having lower annual incomes. Under these circumstances, the energy poverty rate skyrocketed to 73.5%. The subjective indicators reveal significant aspects of the problem, such as the intense problem of damp walls and mold growth at home or the restriction of other basic needs in order to cover heating needs. However, despite the proven high vulnerability of Greek mountainous areas, current energy policy actually ignores the special features of mountainous areas, implementing horizontal policies. Therefore, a specialized energy plan targeted to alleviating energy poverty in mountainous areas in Greece is an urgent imperative.