A modern perspective: the recent development of port cities in Southern Europe

The comparative analysis on port cities aims to point out similarities and contrasts between cities in diverse situations, with the intent of improving comprehension of these complex elements and understanding of the existing interrelationships among the ports, the cities, and their inland territories in some regions of southern and Mediterranean Europe. The countries of southern Europe, from Portugal to Turkey were examined, and in each case a large , historically significant coastal city with a port of international importance was considered. In this manner the cities of Lisbon, Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Athens and Istanbul were selected. The effects of demographic growth , urbanization, industrialization, and even pollution are demonstrated, and lead to the conclusions that at present the vital part of the port is usually far removed from the life and economic interests of the urban communities.