From the end of the 1900s, the dual objective of urban modernization and the consolidation of a new national identity led to institutional and other regulations concerning urban areas.

The texts of the period put forward the issue of 'de-turkization, 'hellenization', 'modernization' and the 'civilization of Greek cities. There were many and varied initiatives concerning the arrangement and management of space. Within the wide legislative work of Venizelos's government the revision of town planning and building legislation was included.

In the period 1912-22 the modern Greek city emerged on the one hand because it was then that new urban planning concepts were introduced and tested in practice, and, on the other hand, because the base of experience and legislation for future approaches was shaped. An attempt was made to create a new Greek city adjusted to the requirements of the new Greek society.
A unique example of an integral state policy about urban space (and one which discloses its intentions) is the rebuilding of Thessaloniki after the fire of 1917.