Towards (Un)sustainable urban growth? Industrial development, land-use, soil depletion and climate aridity in a Greek agro-forest area

The present study investigates long-term changes in climate aridity in association with urbanization, industrial development and the use of land in Thriasio plain, Greece. Resident population and established activities increased rapidly in Thriasio although with a growth rate varying among municipalities. Non-linear regressions were run to estimate the growth of economic activities on a local scale. Meteorological indexes showed a trend towards warmer and drier climate consistent with the intense process of urbanization and industrialization observed on a local scale. Our results indicate the urgent need for measures mitigating climate aridity in mixed urban-rural landscapes surrounding large Mediterranean cities.