Observatory of Spatial Impacts of the Egnatia Motorway 27.- 1 Observatory of Spatial Impacts

This paper presents the effort of Egnatia Odos A.E. Company to develop a mechanism for monitoring the spatial impacts of the Egnatia motorway and its vertical axes. The scope of the Observatory is to collect and process data in a scientifically documented way, and calculate indicators that monitor the impacts over time on the social, economic and territorial cohesion, on the spatial structure, on the transportation system, and on the environment of N. Greece and the greater area of SE Europe. The paper comprises a summary review of the general scientific framework and policies of the EU, as well as of the international experience in the systematic monitoring and assessment of the interaction between transportation infrastructures and spatial development. Then the Egnatia Observatory is presented in detail and the following are described: (a) its establishment and action plan, (b) its organization, infrastructure, and productive operation, (c) the system of indicators, (d) the diffusion and networking activities, and (e) the main points of assessment and perspectives. The paper closes by summarizing the general crucial issues, and identifies the special characteristics of the Egnatia Observatory that make it an innovative and useful tool for information, decision support, and policy making – not only for the Company but for all Regional and National bodies and agencies involved in spatial planning and development