Spatial Micro Level Analysis of Building Structures in Samos Island

Decision-making at the regional level has become more complex over the last years, requiring advanced tools to cope with dynamic environments and processes; and a thorough analysis of spatial entities in finer scale for better understanding of the dynamics and underlying processes. The focus of this paper is on the contribution of fine scale datasets in policy making by use of Spatial Micro Level Analysis of building-structures data. This approach enables the exploration of the spatial pattern in finer scale, setting the ground for a better insight in micro level dynamics. The proposed approach was applied in an insular area—Samos, Greece—in an effort to study two defining issues of islands’ territory development in the Aegean Sea nowadays, namely informal settlements’ expansion as well as spatial distribution of fire events, which are closely linked to pressures exerted on such areas by current development patterns as well as climate change impacts. The scope of this work is to illuminate underlying mechanisms of attraction/repulsion of informal housing; and identify the relationship between points of fire ignition and populated areas. Output of such an approach can feed decision-making processes and support more “smart” policy directions for coping with challenges of both island territory development and fire-related risks.