Attica Governor Proposes ‘European Network of Regions’ for Sustainable Development

Attica Governor Nikos Hardalias with the President of the Regional Council of Île-de-France Valérie Pécresse. Photo source: Region of Attica

In a bid to explore areas of cooperation in sustainable urban development, Attica Governor Nikos Hardalias met with his Parisian counterpart, Valérie Pécresse, president of the Île-de-France region, during a visit to Paris.

Governor Hardalias proposed the establishment of a European Network of Regions, aimed at addressing key issues such as sustainable waste management, the efficient operation of public transportation, and broader responses to climate change.

“Climate change is a reality that affects all aspects of our daily lives,” Hardalias remarked during the meeting.

He added that the creation of a European Network of Regions would facilitate collaboration between the Region of Attica and other European cities, enabling the exchange of know-how and the adoption of innovative solutions to enhance the quality of life for citizens.

Pécresse expressed her support for the initiative, noting that cities like Stockholm, Vienna, and Warsaw, which share similar metropolitan characteristics, could play a significant role in such a network due to their extensive experience in environmental sustainability.

Joint Greek-French working group meeting in October

The two officials agreed to establish a joint working group, comprising experts from both the Attica Region and Île-de-France, to develop concrete proposals by the end of 2024. The first meeting of the team is scheduled for October.

“Our aim is to adopt the best practices implemented in major European cities like Paris. Through the creation of a European Network of Regions, we hope to foster closer cooperation between our cities and promote solutions that contribute to sustainability and climate resilience,” said Hardalias.

Public transportation

Moreocer, Governor Hardalias said he aims to collaborate with other European cities and local authorities that have developed sustainable urban management systems, particularly in the area of public transportation.

During the meeting, he emphasized the importance of adopting best practices from the Paris public transportation system to help persuade the Greek government to reconsider the management of mass transit in Attica, with the goal of improving services and addressing Athens’ traffic issues effectively.

According to Hardalias, by adopting new practices, in collaboration with other European regions, Attica could become more sustainable, cleaner, and greener.

Decentralization and environmental sustainability

New Metropolitan Attica President Dimitris Fragakis, Attica Region Governor Nikos Hardalias, Paris Metropolitan Area Valerie Pécresse. Photo source: Attica Region

The discussion between Hardalias and Pécresse also addressed the need for redistributing resources and promoting greener urban development.

Pécresse shared her goal to convert 75 percent of Île-de-France into parks and green zones by 2049, with the remaining 25 percent for housing and infrastructure, mentioning the concept of “elevated cities” to balance natural spaces with residential areas.

Hardalias noted that Attica faces similar overpopulation challenges, as 46 percent of Greece’s population lives in the region, putting pressure on infrastructure and the environment. He emphasized the need for balanced development to improve quality of life.

Moreover, Pécresse expressed her willingness to collaborate with large metropolitan authorities such as those in Athens. She also emphasized the importance of technology in enhancing the daily lives of citizens and expressed interest in Greece’s digital systems, particularly those used through the Gov.gr platforms. Pécresse noted that she would like to leverage Greece’s expertise in digitalization to implement similar services in Paris.