ANALYZING THE SPATIAL INTERACTIONS IN THE NATIONWIDE REGIONAL CAPITALS NETWORK OF GREECE

This paper studies the spatial interactions of the nationwide regional (NUTS III) capitals network in Greece, using complex network analysis and comparative methods. The study detects the topological characteristics of the nationwide spatial network composed of regional capitals and to examine how this network serves and promotes regional development. The analysis highlights the impact of spatial constraints on the network, provides information on the major infrastructure projects that have developed in the road transport sector and affected the country’s transport capacity, and outlines the gravitational dimension of the nationwide spatial interconnectivity phenomenon. Overall, the paper highlights the effectiveness of complex network analysis in the modeling spatial networks and transport systems, and promotes the network paradigm in spatial and regional economics’ research.

Dimitrios TSIOTAS - Assistant Professor, Department of Regional and Economic Development, School of Applied Economics and Social Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, Amfissa, Greece tsiotas@aua.gr, (Corresponding Author)

Serafeim POLYZOS - Professor, Department of Regional Development and Planning, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece, spolyzos@uth.gr

R4, R41, R42

A COMBINED GRAPH THEORETIC AND TRANSPORT PLANNING FRAMEWORK FOR THE ECONOMIC AND FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF LARGE-SCALE ROAD NETWORKS

Road networks are the backbone of our society and a built capital enabling the movement of people and transportation of goods. Their design should comply with both traffic and technical requirements and economic demand, to ensure efficient connectivity, accessibility, optimum resource allocation, and long- term sustainability. Poised on the intersection of this bi-dimensional context, this paper develops a methodological framework incorporating these two dimensions in road network analysis to evaluate both functional and economic aspects of the network. Within this framework, we incorporate functional and economic information into an interurban road graph model constructed on empirical data from Greece, and we afterward evaluate the level of determination and the model’s applicability and usefulness in transportation planning. Overall, our findings reveal the proposed approach capable of evaluating potential interventions in the network and estimating traffic volumes, especially in data- constrained situations. In empirical terms, they indicate that the socio-economic performance of the national road network is satisfactory, albeit not fully optimized.

Maria STAVARA - Researcher, Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece mstavara@uth.gr

Dimitrios TSIOTAS - Assistant Professor, Department of Regional and Economic Development, School of Applied Economics and Social Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, Amfissa, Greece tsiotas@aua.gr (Corresponding Author)

R41, R42

TRANSPORTATION NETWORKS AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: THE CONCEPTUAL AND EMPIRICAL FRAMEWORK IN GREECE

This paper examines the importance of transportation networks for the economic and regional development of Greece, focusing on the country’s infrastructure and its road, rail, maritime, and air transport networks. Based on statistical and economic indicators and the application of a multivariate linear regression econometric model, the link between transport and economic and regional development and its complexity is highlighted. The study underlines that the structure and functionality of transportation networks reflect the social and economic needs of their user societies, providing important information on the development dynamics of a country. Through a literature review, technical reports, and empirical analyses, this information can serve as a thematic basis for examining transport networks at both research and policy levels. Overall, this article is addressed to regional researchers and policymakers, highlighting the need for responsible transport planning, which is associated with high opportunity costs and inelastic infrastructure sunk costs.

Dimitrios TSIOTAS - Professor Assistant, Department of Regional and Economic Development, School of Applied Economics and Social Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, Greece tsiotas@aua.gr (Corresponding Author)

Serafeim POLYZOS - Professor, Department of Regional Development and Planning, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece spolyzos@uth.gr

R4, R41, R42