Urban Transformations in Piraeus. Towards a Global City?

The paper explores the urban, social and economic geography of the city of Piraeus and its metropolitan urban area during the recent years. The city is characterized by urban shrinkage, deindustrialization and declining urban conditions. Meanwhile, the port economy is increasing and urban infrastructure and significant real-estate projects lay on the city. The current situation seems to be out of the control of the city. The acceleration of the growth of the port is not reflected in the surrounding neighborhoods. The risk of a new type of spatial polarization at the urban level is visible.