The multicultural character of Komotini makes the city interesting and alive. Its population forms an interesting society of unique composition with special characteristics. Its unique regional history, geographical position and proximity to neighboring countries along with various historical events, triggered by official policies or spontaneous reactions have created a social political and religious blend. This blend currently composed of Greeks, Turks , Christians, Muslims, Pomaks, Gypsies and Greek-Pontians resettlers, along with the historical populations of Armenians and Jews, has created the unique characteristics of the city of Komotini.

This thesis analyzes the influence of the above ethnic groups and regional historical events on the development of the urban identity of the city. Emphasis is put on the analysis of social segregation and how it affects the development of the neighborhoods and the land use over time.

The high specificity and the major contrasts of the city, both in residential development and in social geography, were the basic motivational forces for this thesis. In this effort, the study of the political, economic, social and spatial history of the city is necessary in order to identify its organizational mechanisms.

Subsequently, through this study, it is safe to formulate the general principles which changed the city over time to its current form. In the case of an urban development study this methodology contributes to the formation of goals and the selection of different forms of intervention both on a practical and theoretical level. This intervention is also evaluated for its present and future effects.