English to Greek Social Sciences Government / Politics Urban Planning

Up to the 1950s urban planning was determined by experts and authorities and strongly influenced by economic factors. Nowadays, emphasis is put on making information available and accessible. Still, a gap between experts and the interested public remains due to the specialist terminology and tools; information sessions, brochures and the Internet are used to overcome this.
Law defines minimum statutory requirements for participation, including Public Hearings for regional plans (during 3 periods of 60 days each) to give the general audience, associations and authorities the chance to react. Also, civil society associations intervene to announce public hearings to the interested public. Specific requirements for participation are defined in neighbourhood contracts, where a balanced board in terms of authority and local actors’ representation, follows up the development plans from the early stages on.