**3.3 Local qualification pressure**

Tourism suggests a fundamental developmental axis for Greece, ought to its elongated coastline, which is greater than 10.000km (Cori, 1999), to its sunshine weather and to its thousands of islands that have various morphologies. The seaside location of Greek coastal cities provides intuitive documentation for the economic base of these cities, indicating that both these cities and their respective prefectures present specialization in touristic activities and services. The purpose of this section aspires to request quantitative evidence that justifies this empirical approach and to proceed to a further analysis on the productivity orientation of the Greek coastal cities. The available data regard the calculation results of the Local Qualification Index of the Greek prefectures, referring to the economic sectors of agricultural, manufacture, construction and touristic productivity for the year 2006 (Polyzos, 2011), can produce the box plots of figure 8. The data is further categorized, for the purpose of this study, to non coastal and coastal groups so as to produce box plots that can be submitted to comparison.

The box plot diagrams of figure 9 sketches out the distributions of the LQ index (per sector) for the coastal and non coastal cases. The Agriculture box plots indicate a slightly better (presenting higher values) performance of the Greek terrestrial prefectures, in comparison with the coastal. This performance seems reasonable if considering the terrestrial ease in transportation, maintenance, and support, regarding the agricultural equipment. The question of the significance of difference over the performance between coastal and non coastal prefectures will be answered at the following T-tests.

The Manufacture box plots reveal a relationship between the coastal and non coastal prefectures that is not easy to come into obvious conclusions. Perhaps the only safe information, which can be derived from this diagram, derives from the observation that the non coastal box plot presents a more narrow distribution than the coastal and less number of outlier values. This higher concentration of the non coastal manufacture distribution displays a better overall performance for the non costal case, but this

The Evolution and Spatial Dynamics of Coastal Cities in Greece 291

LQA\_C -3,057 42 0,004 -0,6060 -1,006 -0,2060

LQM\_C 0,285 42 0,777 0,0407 -0,247 0,3290

LQC\_C -5,291 42 0,000 -0,4567 -0,630 -0,2825

LQT\_C 4,749 42 0,000 0,7427 0,427 1,0584

The test results, presented in table 1, exclude the cases of Agriculture, Constructions and Tourism Local Qualification to present equal mean values. Moreover, the negative edge values of the confidence intervals in the Agriculture and Constructions cases conclude that there is a significance negative difference between the coastal and non coastal case (diff=LQX\_C-LQX\_NC). Consequently, in the Agriculture and in the Constructions cases the coastal prefectures present smaller developmental dynamics. Oppositional, in the Tourism case, the advance of coastal prefectures performance is obvious, even through a single graphic observation. The T-test table results indicate that the case of Manufacture can, statistically, justify equality between coastal and non coastal mean values. Nevertheless, the performances on Manufactures between coastal and not coastal cases cannot be considered

In order to proceed to a further analysis, to provide supplementary evidence and to validate the previous discussion results, the Binomial Correlations were calculated between the mean coastal population density and the Local Qualification Indices values. The correlation

From the results of table 2 only the correlation between the mean coastal population density and the Tourism LQ appear a considerable value that is also significant. The other correlation results do not present worthy information, except perhaps the one that can be mined from the correlation signals. The signal interpretation of the table 3 reveals the fact that the mean coastal population density and the rest LQ indices are negative correlated. This result provides an essential documentation to assert that coastal prefectures are

Table 1. T-test results for the comparison of the means between coastal and non coastal

samples for the Local Qualification Index.

the same due to the ranges of their distributions.

privileged to benefit higher potentials in tourism.

results are presented at table 2.

t df Sig. (2-tailed) Mean

t df Sig. (2-tailed) Mean

t df Sig. (2-tailed) Mean

t df Sig. (2-tailed) Mean

LQA\_NC = 2.62

LQA\_NC = 2.62

LQA\_NC = 2.62

LQA\_NC = 2.62

Difference

Difference

Difference

Difference

95% Confidence Interval of the

95% Confidence Interval of the

95% Confidence Interval of the

95% Confidence Interval of the

conclusion cannot be justified rigorously. A similar unclear picture also describes the case of Constructions. The mean values of the box plots seem to lie under a condition of significant equality, but the non coastal prefectures distribution present a positive asymmetry, fact that indicates a stronger agricultural sectorial performance than the coastal case.

Fig. 8. Box plots of the Local Qualification Index for coastal and non coastal prefectures (data of year 2006).

Finally, the Tourism diagrams present a clearer picture that indicates the difference between coastal and non coastal prefectures about their touristic productivity performance. Coastal cities reveal an obvious higher mean value than the non coastal, as long as a wider distribution with a positive asymmetry, factors that indicate higher touristic economical potentials of the coastal cities, for the majority of cases. The appearance of the non coastal prefectures is presented very shrink, fact that denotes the limited touristic potentials of the terrestrial Greek regions. In order to obtain answers to the question of equality, between the means of coastal and non costal prefectures, a T-test was applied for each sector case, under the conditions that they were described at the methodology section. The results of the T-tests are shown at table 1, where the symbol *X* in the *LQ*(*X*) symbolism refers to an abbreviation coding *A*≡agricultural, *M*≡manufacture, *C*≡construction and *T*≡touristic. Also the *C* and *NC* symbols regard to the coastal and non coastal classes.

conclusion cannot be justified rigorously. A similar unclear picture also describes the case of Constructions. The mean values of the box plots seem to lie under a condition of significant equality, but the non coastal prefectures distribution present a positive asymmetry, fact that indicates a stronger agricultural sectorial performance than the

Fig. 8. Box plots of the Local Qualification Index for coastal and non coastal prefectures (data

Finally, the Tourism diagrams present a clearer picture that indicates the difference between coastal and non coastal prefectures about their touristic productivity performance. Coastal cities reveal an obvious higher mean value than the non coastal, as long as a wider distribution with a positive asymmetry, factors that indicate higher touristic economical potentials of the coastal cities, for the majority of cases. The appearance of the non coastal prefectures is presented very shrink, fact that denotes the limited touristic potentials of the terrestrial Greek regions. In order to obtain answers to the question of equality, between the means of coastal and non costal prefectures, a T-test was applied for each sector case, under the conditions that they were described at the methodology section. The results of the T-tests are shown at table 1, where the symbol *X* in the *LQ*(*X*) symbolism refers to an abbreviation coding *A*≡agricultural, *M*≡manufacture, *C*≡construction and *T*≡touristic. Also the *C* and *NC* symbols regard to the coastal and non

coastal case.

of year 2006).

coastal classes.


Table 1. T-test results for the comparison of the means between coastal and non coastal samples for the Local Qualification Index.

The test results, presented in table 1, exclude the cases of Agriculture, Constructions and Tourism Local Qualification to present equal mean values. Moreover, the negative edge values of the confidence intervals in the Agriculture and Constructions cases conclude that there is a significance negative difference between the coastal and non coastal case (diff=LQX\_C-LQX\_NC). Consequently, in the Agriculture and in the Constructions cases the coastal prefectures present smaller developmental dynamics. Oppositional, in the Tourism case, the advance of coastal prefectures performance is obvious, even through a single graphic observation. The T-test table results indicate that the case of Manufacture can, statistically, justify equality between coastal and non coastal mean values. Nevertheless, the performances on Manufactures between coastal and not coastal cases cannot be considered the same due to the ranges of their distributions.

In order to proceed to a further analysis, to provide supplementary evidence and to validate the previous discussion results, the Binomial Correlations were calculated between the mean coastal population density and the Local Qualification Indices values. The correlation results are presented at table 2.

From the results of table 2 only the correlation between the mean coastal population density and the Tourism LQ appear a considerable value that is also significant. The other correlation results do not present worthy information, except perhaps the one that can be mined from the correlation signals. The signal interpretation of the table 3 reveals the fact that the mean coastal population density and the rest LQ indices are negative correlated. This result provides an essential documentation to assert that coastal prefectures are privileged to benefit higher potentials in tourism.

The Evolution and Spatial Dynamics of Coastal Cities in Greece 293

The correlation between the mean coastal population density and the index of wealth was calculated, but found neither to be considerable in value (0,482) nor to statistical significance. A single observation of the box plots of figure 9 seems to be adequate to indicate the inequality in the level of wealth that benefits the coastal prefectures. The application of the comparing means procedure provides documentation to the visual

Test Value = 0

Difference

95% Confidence Interval of the

comparison results of figure 9. The mean comparison results are presented in table 3.

t df Sig. (2-tailed) Mean

samples for the Index of Wealth in Greece.

terrestrial ones.

**4. Conclusions** 

IOW\_C 13,103 42 0,000 48,642 41,151 56,134 IOW\_T 8,224 10 0,000 27,375 19,958 34,792 Table 3. T-test results for the comparison of the means between the coastal and non coastal

Table 3 indicates, in quantitative terms, the significant inequality between the coastal and non coastal case of the Index of Wealth in Greece. The edge values of the confidence intervals do not have covering areas, fact that suggests their inequality. Consequently, the obvious inequality of means *μ*IOW\_C>*μ*IOW\_NC 48,6>27,4 can provide the essential documentation to conclude that the Greek coastal prefectures enjoy greater wealth than the

This chapter dealt with the population transformation of Greek coastal cities, held during the last 50 years. Coastal cities over 5.000 citizens were studied, by using spatial, econometric and statistic measures and models. During the study period, the Greek urban population coverage changed in an amount of 29,5%, from 56,21% (presented in 1961) to 72,79% (in 2001). By observing the trends in the Mediterranean level (Cori, 1999), a similar transposition in the demographic status can be concluded. Urban population of coastal countries presented an amount of 50% growth during the period 1950-2005, percentage which is higher in comparison with the corresponding Greek, probably due to significant urbanization rates of South Mediterranean countries and Turkey. The growing Greek coastal cities cover the 16,42% of the total country's population in 1961, whereas in 2001 they reached to represent approximately 2.100.000 inhabitants, with a coverage of 19,43% in total population. The augmentative trends appear to be strong during the first two decades of the study period, but they diminish from 1981 and forward. This fact implies, firstly, the structural changes that the Greek economic model was subjected (the meanwhile period) to, which suggests the country's transposition from the agricultural-based economy model (primary sector) to the services provision economy model (tertiary sector). Secondly, the meanwhile urban growth can be related to the phenomenon of agglomeration that benefited

One of the general conclusions, which was extracted by this study, verified the general demographic transformation that the Greek cities (in general) were subjected to and moved from the phase of intense urbanization (during the decades of 60's and 70's, where the

the two Hellenic metropolitan cities, "*Athens*" and "*Thessaloniki*".


Table 2. Binomial correlation results between the mean coastal population density and the Local Qualification Indices values.

#### **3.4 Coastal cities prosperity**

A similar procedure to the Local Qualification analysis is applied at the following, in order to provide an answer to the question if the Level of Prosperity in coastal prefectures can be considered greater than the terrestrial ones. The available data of this case regard the calculation results of the Index of Wealth for the prefectures of Greece, for the year 2006, as presented by Polyzos (2011). The analytic process is composed by the same with the previous analysis steps. Firstly, the data available are presented graphically to the box plots of figure 9, in order to provide some information for the distribution, and, secondly, the mean values of the box plots are tested for statistical significance equality.

Fig. 9. Box plots of the Index of Prosperity for coastal and non coastal prefectures (data of year 2006).

The correlation between the mean coastal population density and the index of wealth was calculated, but found neither to be considerable in value (0,482) nor to statistical significance. A single observation of the box plots of figure 9 seems to be adequate to indicate the inequality in the level of wealth that benefits the coastal prefectures. The application of the comparing means procedure provides documentation to the visual comparison results of figure 9. The mean comparison results are presented in table 3.


Table 3. T-test results for the comparison of the means between the coastal and non coastal samples for the Index of Wealth in Greece.

Table 3 indicates, in quantitative terms, the significant inequality between the coastal and non coastal case of the Index of Wealth in Greece. The edge values of the confidence intervals do not have covering areas, fact that suggests their inequality. Consequently, the obvious inequality of means *μ*IOW\_C>*μ*IOW\_NC 48,6>27,4 can provide the essential documentation to conclude that the Greek coastal prefectures enjoy greater wealth than the terrestrial ones.
