Athens

Extreme urban heat: Athens faces increasingly high temperatures and severe heatwaves, exacerbated by urban heat islands and limited adaptive infrastructure, making it one of Europe’s most heat-vulnerable cities.

Absence of water elements: Athens lacks natural water features, intensifying the urban heat effect. The burying of rivers and streams prevents natural cooling, making new sustainable water management and water-sensitive design essential.

Outdated urban planning: Rapid, unplanned urbanisation has filled Athens with heat-retaining materials like concrete and asphalt. Urban design also lacks water-sensitivity, with 80% of surfaces impermeable and unable to manage heavy rain.

Water-sensitive urban design, creating 4 blue-green areas such as rainwater gardens and bioswale wetlands. This brings natural cooling to public spaces, reducing urban heat and creating vibrant, climate-resilient community areas.

A sewer-mining water garden that transforms wastewater into irrigation for green spaces. This creates a self-sustaining water source while enhancing biodiversity and cooling local public areas.

A new Athens Water School and Digital Lab for Water Memories, providing hands-on education and training programmes on sustainable water management, equipping citizens, students and city officials to adopt and maintain water-sensitive practices.