Photorealistic depiction of the Thessaloniki street upgrade. Photo source: Municipality of Thessaloniki.
The Municipality of Thessaloniki recently launched a tender for the upgrade of ten commercial streets across the northern Greek city.
The project, which is expected to be carried out under a budget of some 30 million euros secured from the Recovery and Resilience Fund, aims to revitalize the public spaces of these commercial areas, and strengthen the city’s urban identity.
“We want to reverse the image of abandonment, strengthen the local economy, create new jobs and new income… Thessaloniki is changing day by day… Our vision is becoming a reality,” said Thessaloniki Mayor Konstantinos Zervas.
Photorealistic depiction of the Thessaloniki street upgrade. Photo source: Municipality of Thessaloniki.
The upgrade will include various interventions such as the planting of more trees and bushes; the installation of low-energy lighting systems; the launch of smart city applications; and the addition of underground bins. Plans include making the streets more accessible and safer for pedestrians and people with disabilities.
The ten commercial streets that will undergo renovations are:
- Egnatia Street, which will see more greenery and the creation of an alley with new trees and low planting flower beds, as well as new sitting areas across the street
- Olympou Street, where plants will be added along the refurbishment of its current pedestrian walkway
- Koloniari Street
- Panagias Faneromenis Street
- Klathmonos Street, which will be fully redesigned with the addition of a route for people with visual disabilities and ramps to assist those with mobility difficulties
- Papafi Street, where new trees will be planted, and accessibility will be improved
- 25th of March Street
- Markou Botsari Street
- Venizelou Street
- Eleftherias Street, where pedestrian walkways will become wider.
All new equipment that will be added will be made out of environmentally friendly material, while user friendly maps will be accessible at popular spots on these streets around Thessaloniki.
In addition, seating areas will host solar panels allowing locals and guests to charge their electronic devices for free.
The ten-street intervention project is the first phase of a wider reconstruction program through which the Municipality of Thessaloniki aims to strengthen its public space functionality, aesthetics and accessibility.
