Athens Center Gets ‘Green’ Upgrades in August

A square next to Ippokratio Hospital near the center of Athens has been upgraded.

Aiming to build a more sustainable city, the Municipality of Athens in August carried out 19 green upgrade projects in neighborhoods around the city center as part of its urban regeneration program.

New trees and seasonal plants were planted at squares and on pedestrian walkways in areas with high density including Kypseli, Neapoli, Goudi, Neos Kosmos, Pagrati, Metaxourgeio, Votanikos, Patisia, Gyzi and Ampelokipoi.

More specifically, the municipality redesigned and transformed the squares of Asklipiou, Kotzia, Avdi, Fleming, Laou, Papadiamanti, Amphitritis, Agios Thomas, Ipokrateio, Ag. Sosti and Gyzi; and the pedestrian walkways of Pytheos, Ag. Zonis and Fokionos Negri, Lambraki Hill, S. Patsis, Durgouti, Pyrla and Dagli, into modern urban green and recreational areas for the city’s residents and visitors.

Regeneration included soil-improving practices, the installation of turf (new grass with dirt) where needed and the upgrade of irrigation (watering) systems.

According to the municipality, all works were carried out in accordance with the principles of sustainability, aiming to offer significant environmental and operational benefits to the city.

“Athens offers only a few square meters of green space for each resident but we plan to change that through our green interventions that are part of an integrated scheme based on our vision to build a sustainable city for the years to come,” Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis said.

The municipality’s regeneration program is implemented based on detailed planning which ensures the appropriate use and consumption of water.

Furthermore, the program includes repairing damages to public spaces, replacing cobblestones and urban equipment such as benches and fences.

“The city’s preparation against climate change, the management and expansion of green areas are the municipality’s main priorities. We are working intensively to increase the green spaces available for each resident,” Deputy Mayor for Climate Change and Green Areas Christos Tentomas said.