Athens, a city steeped in history, is navigating a transformative era, balancing its rich cultural legacy with the pressing needs for environmental resilience. Situated in a basin and surrounded by mountains, Athens is experiencing a range of environmental stressors, such as problematic air quality and high urban heat levels, along with aging green and blue infrastructure that needs urgent revitalisation, to name a few. Guided by initiatives within the Urban Releaf programme and broader city-wide initiatives, Athens is facing these challenges with a mix of smart technologies and citizen-driven solutions.
To tackle the urban heat island effect, technologies like ENVI-met empower urban planners to model microclimates and optimise the placement of vegetation and water features. Thanks to the software’s predictive modelling, ENVI-met was embraced by Rethink Athens, an initiative that put together a proposal aiming to revitalise Panepistimiou Street in the centre of Athens. Despite the vision not coming to fruition, Rethink Athens showcased how data-informed planning can underpin and yield long-term planning solutions and drive tangible results, avoiding the pitfalls of quick fixes.
Another approach to combatting the urban heat island effect was taken up this year by Haris Doukas, the Mayor of Athens. With the aim of keeping Athens cool (especially in the scorching summer months), 25,000 trees will be planted across the city, including in the industrial area of Votanikos. Working closely with DAEM, a Greek information system and infrastructure development company, the Athenian municipality has developed AthensTrees. This is a public-facing interactive map where Athenians are able to see how many trees have been planted, and where, in real-time. It also displays whether the annual tree-planting target has been achieved. By having visibility and access to the project’s development, citizens are empowered to actively engage in the city’s green transformation, fostering a collective sense of responsibility toward a cooler, greener Athens.
Given that air quality is a chronic environmental stressor across Athens, the Urban Releaf project has championed the installation of 28 air quality sensors in various strategic locations, such as parks and traffic-heavy zones. They’ve also been installed in public spaces such as schools, medical centres, and other public buildings belonging to the municipalities. These sensors, connected to IoT systems, provide real-time data on air pollution levels. What makes this project unique is how it involves citizens by encouraging them to help collect data. This participatory approach pinpoints problematic locations, informs policy decisions and improves long-term environmental conditions. It also helps raise public awareness about the impact of pollution on the city, and encourages more community involvement in environmental stewardship.
Athens is also ramping up its efforts to revitalise blue infrastructure, tackling challenges such as urban flooding and sustainable water management with smart technologies and integrated planning. Seeing as Athens is made up of more than 80% non-permeable area, IoT-enabled systems are key to providing crucial data that can anticipate and mitigate the impacts of sudden storms and floods. These sensors are also capable of monitoring water flow, detecting blockages in drainage systems, and providing real-time data on flood risks.
Using a variety of innovative technologies, Athens is embracing sustainable solutions and community-driven action in order to create a more liveable, and resilient city. It’s also setting an example of how cities can evolve while maintaining their historical identity.
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