In this period the idea of relating urban growth to national development and social progress gained ground. The concept of the city as an organic whole was considered as requiring comprehensive regulations, research and planning.

The capital expecially, which was not without its problems, grew and was reshaped. New means of transport were introduced, public works begun, streets were extended and paved with asphalt, roads given names, the centre was supplied with electric power and new premises and ways of entertainment emerged.

Disccussion and experiment concerning the modern city, its picture and fucntion as well as the role of town planning in the modernization of society and the improvement of everyday life were observed from the late nineteenth century in Europe and the United States. As early as the late 1900s, and along with the inauguration of overall redevelopment plans, activities and intentions reflecting the Western European approach on the issue, that were transplanted by Greek students abroad and foreign technicians in Greece, emerged in Greece as well.

In 1914 the Ministry of Transport was established. This covered public works, tranport, streets and ports, post and communication organizations, town planning and technical education, that is everything concerning the maintenance and arrangement of space.

At the same time, a large network of technical committees was appointed to staff the government and administration mechanism, in order to implement town planning decisions.

Characteristic of their activities was the primacy of the state as the only responsible agent for the city. At the same time, land planning was apolitical in character and social neutral, as is expressed by the emphasis on managerial reasoning. The state was in direct contact with technicians, architects and engineers through numerous committees. It was concerned with the modernization of their studies but also their professional organization (Technical Chamber), aiming at organizing a special professional class effective in its aims. The importance attributed to technical knowledge for the social and economic development became evident.