Use of natural open spaces in Athens- an indicator of citizens' quality of life of city inhabitants.

The paper presented the position, methodology, conclusions and findings of the field research on the use that is currently made in the open public spaces of the city of Athens that are related to its geomorphology as a hypothesis that this investigation can be a satisfactory empirical background for exploring the relationship of the inhabitants with the natural spaces of their city. The references to its findings showed that the project attempted to understand the function of the natural spaces of Athens  through mainly a spatial and anthropological  dimension. However, the ecological view, which accompanied the initial intention of the work, was shifted, through the partial explorations, towards a more sociological view centered on the use of public space. Urban open spaces, and especially those contributing to the natural environment of a city, correlate, in a general manner, with the quality of life in the modern urban environment arised as a result of the way of life and the society that produces the activities and the spaces. The research proves that for Athens the use of these spaces is part of the way of life for a large part of the city's inhabitants. The natural spaces of Greater Athens - open space on the seaside, parks, hills, mountains, woods, groves, etc. - are used by a wide audience with a wide range of socio-demographic characteristics. The use of natural spaces is part in the way of life of the Athenians, as it is indicator for their quality of life, and raises from a diachronique "field" of reproduction of the social, cultural and historical patterns of the inhabitants of this 'place', as the 'place' of the city of Athens can be understood.