Neighbourhood level visioning and participatory planning in 3 cities in Greece

As Greek cities face growing urban pressures -such as limited land availability and tourism-driven development strategies that often overlook local community needs- innovative, inclusive urban planning has become essential.

Our role in the project 

In partnership with Superwien Architectural Studio and funded by the World Bank, urbana supported a transformative participatory planning project across 3 key Greek cities: Kalamata, Kavala, and Heraklion (Crete). URBANA played a key role in facilitating local engagement and ensuring the incorporation of community perspectives into the planning process.

During the project, URBANA contributed significantly to the participatory planning process by:

• Supporting participatory workshops in all three cities, engaging local residents and stakeholders in co-creating urban solutions.
• Mapping gender-specific urban challenges to ensure that the planning process addressed the needs of all community members, including more marginalized social groups.
• Facilitating collaboration between local authorities, civil society organizations, and residents to ensure that development plans reflected local priorities.

These efforts helped lay the foundation for Neighborhood-Level Action Plans, focusing on nature-based solutions and community-driven development.

Key outcomes and impact

Over the course of 9 months, the project led to several tangible outcomes in each city:

• Kavala: We collaborated with local authorities, women's associations, and disability groups to reimagine the Perigiali coastal district. Our work aimed to make this area multifunctional, more inclusive and responsive to community needs.
• Heraklion: In the Agia Triada neighborhood, we facilitated a co-creation process involving local residents, municipal planners, the community of older adults, and women entrepreneurs. Together, we enriched the city’s development plans with local knowledge and personal stories.
• Kalamata: Our team worked with city officials, business owners, and students to re-envision the city’s waterfront. Through participatory workshops and site visits, we gathered valuable insights from local youth and the broader community to guide the waterfront redesign.

Our approach to urban planning

This project exemplifies our organization's approach to inclusive and participatory urban planning. We believe that sustainable urban development can only be achieved when the needs and aspirations of local communities are at the core of the planning process. Key aspects of our approach include:

• Inclusivity: Engaging diverse groups (i.e. women, older adults, teenagers) in the urban planning processes.
• Collaboration: Working closely with local authorities, civil society, and other stakeholders to create solutions that are context-specific and scalable.
• Sustainability: Integrating nature-based solutions and ensuring that urban interventions promote long-term environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

Looking ahead: Our commitment to sustainable urban development

The success of our collaboration with Superwien and the World Bank has reinforced our commitment to sustainable, inclusive urban development. We are dedicated to redesigning cities that prioritize people, ensuring environments where communities can thrive. As we look to the future, we’re eager to continue applying our expertise, collaborating with partners, and contributing to the creation of urban spaces that support the well-being and aspirations of all residents.