The Greenkeys projects

The problem of abandoned and devalued urban areas is common among many European cities. The environmental, economic and social decline, which these areas often entail, requires rapid reconsideration and improvements as the lowering of the quality of life may not only spill over to adjacent neighbourhoods, but also the area itself does not need to be relinquished.

The cities are facing difficulties in finding an adequate solution to the main problem of how to apply methods of sustainable rehabilitation to redevelop and enhance the areas in the long term.

The European Commission has started the EU Community Initiative INTERREG III B CADSES (2005-2008), which focuses on increasing the sustainability of cities by initialising the endowment of green spaces. By means of that, local residents and medium-sized enterprises would benefit immediately, but the scientific and practical experiences gained during the projects are equally important as they will promote transnational cooperation in Europe and bring about further projects.

The key question posed by the GreenKeys project is: What are the tools and methods necessary for increasing the sustainability of urban areas by adding green spaces, given the fact that ecological, social and economical conditions are often mutually dependent?
Greenkeys focuses on the improvement of urban green spaces as a step towards more sustainable cities. The three main objectives are

  1. to provide incentives for structural changes in cities by offering opportunities for the enhancement of green spaces. Its 12 partner cities will, together with local stakeholders, develop a strategic approach for the pilot projects to create new or upgrade existing green areas to achieve more accessibility, social and recreational values and ecological efficiency. By the involvement of local activists, the political attention to the benefits of green spaces to urban environments will be increased. GreenKeys will support the implementation/evaluation of pilot projects in order
  2. to develop a “Pool of Green Strategies” (instruments, methods, concepts and good examples) based on the experiences being made to meet the demands of future needs and
  3. to use the synergies to promote the transfer of knowledge by a transnational network and, thus, foster the exchange of the particular national experiences.

In pursuing these goals, GreenKeys brings together 12 cities in 7 countries, 8 scientific supporters, external experts, design studios and NGOs, which participate through their own networks.

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Xanthi - limnio park
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Improving residential areas with green spaces

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Type of green space Area Category Users
Park     Multiple groups

location

The site is located at the feet of the traditional historical old part of the city with bordering areas the banks of river Kosynthos, the Polytechnic School of the Democritus University of Thrace and the open market area-bazaar (Pazari). It is within walking distance from the city centre and by the Municipal Swimming Pool. It is very close to the heart of the city’s nightlife and neighbours three of the city’s areas that have no green or insufficient green space. 

current situation

The entrance area of the site is in a generally good condition with trimmed vegetation and mowed grass. The basin area suffers several damages and it’s most significant problem is a deserted night club at the core of the basin whish is accessible to various marginal individuals. Eastwards the vegetation is maintained but there is a need for mapping out pedestrian paths and for a small-scale embellishment. 

development goals

The first target is a new planning approach for the “Limnio” Park with the two levels/parts of the park being integrated. There is a need for fencing around the park but one that will maintain its excellent accessibility, the introduction of an “opening hours” scheme is also under consideration. The deserted night club is a core problem that has to be tackled at a political level. The park has a deserted infrastructure for water-theme attraction and it is intended of making that the central feature of the park’s basin. A high priority is the re-establishment of the areas lighting infrastructure and also of its maintenance infrastructure (watering system, etc.). In general the development goals are spread around tree poles with two underlying parameters: Accessibility, Embellishment, Public safety-Sustainability/Maintenance. 

how to get involved

 
 
Xanthi1
Limnio park
Limnio park

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Limnio park Xanthi

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