As global warming and extreme weather now reshape how cities are planned and built, Europe’s largest urban regeneration project is designed for citizen-centric climate resilience, with innovation and ambition.
Global climate patterns are changing fast — and the built environment is under pressure to adapt.
Nasa confirms the Earth has already warmed by 1.47°C since pre-industrial times — with 2024 the hottest year on record and hitting heights of 1.55°C, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Extreme weather events are making headlines so often the exceptional now seems almost commonplace — one minute heavy rainfall is flooding the streets, whilst the next brings severe drought to turn off the taps.
So, from wellbeing and liveability, to the futureproofing of built assets, sustainability makes sense for urban regeneration and development — especially at the scale of The Ellinikon mega project, in Athens, Greece.
Green space and skyscraper first
Billed as a new global model for smart cities and comprehensive, mixed-use urban experiences, the project is being built on the site of the former Ellinikon International Airport, which was decommissioned in 2001.
The new development aims to champion citizen-centric solutions, rather than be overly technology driven.
Planned to be operationally net zero at opening and carbon neutral by 2055, The Ellinikon will double green space per capita for Athenians and feature the first skyscraper in Greece, the residential Riviera Tower.
Designed by leading architectural firm Foster + Partners, the Riviera Tower is the first residential building in Athens to be pre-certified to Gold Level on the LEED rating system. Construction began in early 2023 and the building is due to be completed during Phase 1 of The Ellinikon, with handover expected in 2026.
As construction gathers pace, sustainability solutions are being deployed across the whole development.
Smart city tech to adapt
One of the keys to successful climate adaptation will be the intelligent use of smart city technology:
- Climate sensors — real-time monitoring of temperature, humidity, and air quality enables responsive adaptation strategies;
- Energy management — smart grids and AI-driven energy distribution help minimise waste and improve resilience during extreme weather events.
Heat resilience by design
Heat resilience is also an essential consideration in the overall design:
- Green canopy – The Ellinikon will feature 600,000sq m of common green areas and a 200-hectare coastal park, among the largest in Europe; over 50% of public space in residential zones will be green;
- Smart water — newly created lakes, water elements, and Europe’s largest interactive fountain help cool the environment through evaporative cooling, with the features sustainably designed and engineered to use 83% less water and 96% less energy than conventional systems;
- Sustainable materials — buildings are constructed with heat-reflective materials and designed to maximise shade, lowering cooling costs and indoor temperatures.
Extreme weather mitigation
In anticipation of the inevitable, extreme weather mitigation also features strongly development-wide:
- Stream restoration — the 3km Trachones Stream is being restored and delineated with excavation depths reaching up to 8m, enhancing water flow and rejuvenating the local ecosystem;
- Stormwater infrastructure — a dedicated network collects, treats, and safely channels rainwater into the public system, reducing flood risks during extreme rainfall events;
- Natural absorption — coastal buffer zones and wetlands are being reintroduced to absorb runoff, reduce storm surge impact, and support biodiversity;
- Permeable materials — roads and pathways are built using porous surfaces to prevent flash flooding and relieve pressure on the drainage system.
The complete urban regeneration of the Ellinikon-Agios Kosmas Metropolitan Pole, including the area of the former international airport and the coastal front, has been undertaken by LAMDA Development. With an estimated project budget of €8bn, this scheme is set to become the largest private investment in Greece.
Further Reading:
- More about the The Ellinikon project as a whole; and the Riviera Tower in particular;
- More about the LAMDA Development holding company; and its majority stakeholder Latsis Group;
- Also on SustMeme, Sustainable luxury for first skyscraper in Greece;
- Also on SustMeme, Healthy urban living built on Blue Zones science;
- Also on SustMeme, Electric construction battles flood risk in Arnhem;
- Also on SustMeme, Landmark wooden building on Helsinki waterfront;
- Also on SustMeme, Planning for sustainable wood-first placemaking;
- Also on SustMeme, Green building first for smart new Salford design;
- Also on SustMeme, How regenerative tourism can become a green swan (Guest Blog).
Check out the full archive of stories on the SustMeme Built Environment Channel, now available to Sponsor.
