We live in the age of innovation. The keys to success are based on talent, the ability to create new knowledge and to implement new ideas. It is my belief that investing in our human capital, particularly in young people in higher education, is one of the wisest and most important investments a society can make.
University education, such as that offered by the largest Greek university, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, equips graduates with more than just a piece of knowledge or a field of specialisation. Higher education provides the framework for a life of continuous learning, skills, inspiration, creativity, analytical thinking and leadership.The Department of Spatial Planning and Development of the Faculty of Engineering of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is one of the eight departments of the Faculty. The studies in our Department are characterized by an emphasis on understanding all components of the organization, functioning and transformation of space, and acquiring the professional competence for the preparation of action plans that include urban, spatial and economic planning, consultation and decision-making processes. At the same time, the studies seek to lead students to acquire skills in the use of advanced methodological tools and techniques to analyse the current situation in the decision-making process as well as the application and evaluation in spatial planning and development.
In order to achieve these objectives, the studies at the Department of Spatial Planning and Development of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki integrate the knowledge of urban planning and spatial planning, geography, the acquisition, management and visualization of spatial information, the spatial planning of human activities, the management of natural resources and projects, etc.
Topography is a scientific infrastructure subject. It is a measurement science for the acquisition and recording of spatial information.
The textbook “Elements of Topography” is addressed to undergraduate students of the Departments of Polytechnic Schools and Technological Educational Institutions of the country, in which introductory courses of Topography are taught. At the same time, the text is addressed to professional engineers of various related specialties who are looking for an introduction to the science and subject of Topography.
