Creative Commons

This dissertation was written as a part of the MSc in Energy Systems at the International Hellenic University. The peri-urban forest of Thessaloniki plays an important role in the urban environment, and in the social and cultural life of the residents of the city. It acts as a biological barrier against pollution providing high benefits to people and to the environment in general. However, the alteration of the forest due to forest fires with that of 1997 being the most prominent has negative impact on the urban microclimate, worsening the living conditions. This fact will be described and assessed through this dissertation. Special thanks to Dr. George Martinopoulos, to the assistant professor of Forestry Evaggelos Karagiannis, to the Forest Directorate of Thessaloniki and the Municipality of Thessaloniki. This dissertation would not have been carried out without their guidance and support.