Dr. Nikolaos Karanikolas is a full professor at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Polytechnic School, Department of Spatial Planning and Development Engineering), with a subject area of expertise of "Cartography-Geography and Valuation and Analysis of Real Estate". His teaching and research work focuses on issues of Spatial Planning, Cartography, Geography, Geographic Information Systems and Valuation and Management of Real Estate. Specifically, he teaches or has taught in the past issues related to Digital Design, Digital Cartography, Thematic Cartography and Visualization of Geographic Data, Valuation and Management of Real Estate, Geographic Information Systems, Social Mapping issues, etc. both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. His writings are developed in numerous scientific papers that have been published in national and international scientific journals and conferences (over 100), while he has participated in numerous research programs (over 30, of which 6 as scientific supervisor). He has also published 5 books, 7 chapters in collective volumes, 1 translation of scientific literature, while at the same time he has given numerous lectures to both undergraduate and postgraduate students and professional bodies inside and outside the country. His work also extends to his participation for many years in numerous scientific and professional committees and Councils. In the period 2019-2023 he served as mayor of the Municipality of Heroic City of Naoussa. As Mayor, he received many innovation awards at national and international level, while he was a member of the “Organization and Electronic Governance Committee of Greek Municipalities”, elected to the board of directors of the “Association of Municipalities with Thermal Springs” and the “Network of Cities with Rivers”, a member of the network of the European Commission “Building Europe together with the representatives of local government”, and has also been awarded the Golden Cross of the Apostle Paul, first class. Professionally, he has worked as an engineer and as an executive for consulting and technical companies. He has participated in numerous valuation and real estate management studies as a member of multinational valuation firms and as an independent valuer, while he has also participated in development teams of Municipalities and other bodies in relation to geoinformatics and spatial development programs. He also served as a member of the board and later Chairperson of the board of directors of “Attica Bank Properties” and the Chairperson of the board of directors of “TMEDE Properties”. He is also scientific manager of the network of “Greek municipalities with rivers”. He has participated in or coordinated numerous development studies and programs on issues of spatial analysis and development for numerous organizations throughout the country.