Santorini Terraces
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Areas of smooth relief are ideal for large terraces while areas of steep relief have smaller terraces. Construction of the terraces has resulted in the gradual soil movement from the upper parts of hillsides towards their lower parts. As the terraces’ protective walls erode the soil gives way to any rainfall of high intensity and moves towards the lower parts of the island. Damaged terraces are found at many different locations in Santorini (NAMA 1998, v.2, 5).
Lack of Protection Measures
Protection of the unique habitats and land formations mentioned above is either weak or non-existent. The caldera is designated within the municipal code as zone 1 which prevents any development and destruction from occurring. Even though it falls under this designation, several areas of construction are occurring along the caldera, particularly in the southern rim.. Although Profitis Ilias and the volcanic formations Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni are designated Natura 2000 sites, the management programs for these sites have not been ratified by the Greek government and therefore are unprotected from development at the present time. The unique rock formations that exist on southern Santorini between Akrotiri and Exomitri lack any protective measure against human influences. Due to the nature of the geology of these formations they are very fragile and susceptible to any human intervention. These formations are not protected by neither zoning nor as a Natura 2000 site. Traditional agricultural lands such as the hillside terraces, offer a view into the agricultural past of the island and thus are culturally important. However they are fallow and unused and are under threat of erosion and destruction due to a lack of protective actions.
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| Source: | "Santorini: Sustainable Regional Development 2004; regional planning of the islands of Thera and Therasia Phase A: Analysis" |
| Page: | 155 |
| Written by: | - Michael Romanos - Carla Chifos - Francis P. Wray - Frank Russell - Menelaos Triantafillou and students: E. Crisanti, C. Freese, H. Fulmer, E. Huber, E. Lopez-Stickney, A. Meyer, M. Steele, H. Wadih, N. Luehmann. |
| University of Cincinnati School of Planning | |
| To download the entire analysis and/or learn more about the University of Cincinnati: | http://www.therafoundation.org/articles/copy_of_University%20of%20Cincinnati/ |