Tracing Sustainable Island Complexes in Response to Insularity Dilemmas _ Methodological Considerations

Abstract

In an era of globalization, multidimensional crisis, as well as climate and demographic changes, intense consideration is placed on the identification of development patterns and their spatial counterparts that would alleviate the newly emerging inequalities among regions; and allow sustainability and resilience objectives of their ecosystems to be reached. Insular regions and small islands in particular are critical spatial entities in this respect, as lagging behind regions confronted with a range of contemporary risks and challenges. These raise concerns for spatial planning and policies that are capable of dealing with their geographical specificities. However, issues of conceptual clarification and methodological approach regarding as to the insularity phenomenon remain rather open at the official planning scene. The problem lies in the lack of a multi-factorial assessment of islands’ dynamics and determination of their area of influence or their dependence on powerful insular/mainland territories. Focusing on the Aegean insular territory, it is investigated whether, and under what conditions, isolation or relinquishment of small islands can be prevented, and smart sustainable development can be ensured. The answer is sought in the leveraging of their competitive advantages as a ground for endogenous development and their organic inclusion in broader spatial, sectoral, and social networks of supralocal/supranational reach.