Uccrn Education As part of the EU Mission for 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, Thessaloniki is committed to becoming a climate-neutral, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable city by 2030. Within this ambitious vision, the Dioikitirion neighborhood plays a key role as a pilot area for testing and implementing innovative, district-scale solutions. The recent workshop introduced the transformation plan for Dioikitirion into a green, healthy, accessible, and vibrant neighborhood—an urban environment that breathes, walks, plays, works, and welcomes. Guided by three core pillars—carbon neutrality, resilience, and just transition—the project reflects the city’s integrated approach to environmental sustainability, social equity, and participatory governance. The workshop served as a vital platform for dialogue and co-creation among local authorities, residents, and stakeholders, reinforcing Dioikitirion’s role as an urban living lab for Thessaloniki’s sustainable future.
Project’s timeline
The project is structured in four key phases, each progressively expanding the scope of nature-based interventions.
- In 2025, Thessaloniki will focus on establishing a comprehensive urban action plan through citizen workshops and stakeholder collaboration to ensure community involvement.
- By 2027, the city will implement urban greening initiatives, improving public transportation, pedestrian safety, and waste management. Some actions include more bike parkings, improved sidewalks, and awareness campaigns on waste reduction and composting. Green spaces wll be created in suitable public spaces.
- By 2030, there will be a wider network of bike and pedestrian paths, improved pedestrian access, and a more robust public transport system. Waste management will be more efficient, with a focus on recycling and reducing waste generation. Green spaces will be further expanded, incentivizing also the greening of private spaces (courtyards), the Old Lachanagora will be transformed into a park. The neighborhood will have a stronger emphasis on environmental sustainability and citizen involvement in ecological and circularity initiatives.
- By 2050, the network of blocks to support proximity and the 15-minute walk city model will be fully implemented. Pedestrian spaces will be further extended, green spaces will be integrated into active mobility areas. The bike network will be comprehensive, connecting all neighborhoods and encouraging cycling as a primary mode of transportation. The old Lachanagora will be repurposed as a community energy hub, utilizing sustainable technologies to generate and distribute clean energy.
Purpose and relevance
The District Climate Action Plan (DCAP) for the Dioikitirion neighborhood serves as a critical catalyst in operationalizing Thessaloniki’s 2030 vision of becoming a climate-neutral, resilient, and socially inclusive city. Developed within the framework of the EU Mission for 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, the DCAP embodies a localized, systemic approach that translates citywide climate ambitions into evidence-based, neighborhood-scale interventions. It addresses both climate mitigation and adaptation while embedding principles of social equity, community engagement, and urban resilience.
The DCAP functions as an implementation mechanism for Thessaloniki’s Climate City Contract (CCC), establishing actionable pathways for decarbonization, energy efficiency, and green infrastructure. Leveraging advanced urban simulation tools and participatory co-design methodologies, it bridges scientific expertise with local knowledge, ensuring that interventions are both technically sound and socially grounded. By fostering inclusive stakeholder collaboration and enabling replicable models for climate-responsive urban transformation, the DCAP positions Dioikitirion not just as a pilot, but as a scalable prototype for sustainable development. Ultimately, the DCAP advances a holistic vision of systemic change, aligning neighborhood transformation with broader European climate goals and ensuring that climate action is equitable, integrated, and deeply embedded in the urban fabric.
