I am a social-economic geographer with a strong interest in analysing the trends and dynamics between culture, tourism and spatial development processes, using an interdisciplinary approach and perspective. I work as ad. lecturer at the Department of Planning and Regional Development of the University of Thessaly and at the post-graduate programme in Cultural Management at the Open University in Greece. I have collaborated with various transnational research projects and EU initiatives (URBACT, ESPON, Interreg, etc) and I am especially interested in area based collaborations between different actors. Among other themes I have worked on temporary use of empty buildings, artist-led bottom up initiatives and neigbourhood development.

I follow an interdisciplinary approach drawing on social entrepreneurship, cultural development, place marketing and branding, urban tourism, etc. I have worked as an advisor for public bodies (Municipalities, Regional Authorities, City Tourism Offices, etc.) on matters of policy, funding, tendering practices, entrepreneurship, change management etc. and I am familiar with funding practices. The last years I have been organizing consultation processes with stakeholders' representatives on temporary use of empty buildings, neigbourhood development strategies, local cultural policies, etc.

Greece

karachalis@gmail.com

Placemaking for innovation

Re-use of Empty Buildings