Changing Port–City Interface at Corinth (Greece): Transformations and Opportunities

This paper is concerned with the changing pattern of activity on the urban waterfront. It examines the strong increase in demand for maritime tourism in Corinth (Greece) and discusses a problem of strategic planning for increasing the supply of port facilities in connection with the main routes already in use and the existence of centers of interest in the area. This study was conducted to demonstrate a scenario in which the strategic position of the port of Corinth can play an important role by joining the system of large marinas in the region of Attica and the Peloponnese, and also represent an opportunity to revitalize the port-city interface. Based on observations on its position as gateway to an area rich in natural attractions and historical permanencies and drawing upon data related to maritime tourism demand data, the need to remove or relocate the commercial port as a major environmental detractor and inaccessible area, is described and analyzed. A strategy to identify and understand the feasibility of transforming the existing commercial port in a marina and to formulate policies for the redevelopment of the urban coastal zone is discussed. Conclusions are drawn that the new infrastructure may rehabilitate the port-city relationship and constitute not only a technical harbor but an important center of social, commercial and recreational activities.