Egaleo, Greece
The Municipality of Egaleo is a densely urbanised region in the Western part of Athens, Greece. Citizens of Egaleo experience high levels of energy poverty, limited access to green spaces, and a high probability of seismic activity.
The major climate hazards facing the region are heatwaves – exacerbated by the Urban Heat Island effect – and flooding. The Med-IREN project will enhance the resilience of Athenian citizens by implementing the following nature-based solutions aimed at making Egaleo greener.
Nature-based Solutions
Planting within street medians
The median of Iera Odos Street will be planted with trees to enhance water management and create cooler and cleaner air.
Urban photobioreactors
Three urban photobioreactors will be installed for clean energy production and carbon absorption. Urban photobioreactors are usually glass devices filled with microalgae or other phototropic organisms that produce biomass through photosynthesis.
Urban pocket parks
Five to 10 tiny pocket parks accessible to the public will be created along Iera Odos Street. The urban pocket parks can be used for recreational purposes and build a sense of community while mitigating the urban heat island effect.
Med-IREN Benefits
Better well-being for vulnerable people in schools, health, and social care homes
Protection of the transport systems (road highways, railways)
Safe electricity supply
Resilient telecommunications networks
Climate Resilience Policies
In July 2021, the Municipality of Egaleo published the Action Plan for Energy and Climate Sustainability.
The plan covers 6 action categories:
- Buildings - Facilities: High energy efficiency in building facilities in terms of cooling and heating to reduce environmental burden and lower the risk of health problems caused by extreme weather phenomena, such as heatwaves. The main areas of application are the following: green roofs, reduction of energy consumption in housing units, public buildings, buildings/equipment/facilities in the tertiary and industrial sectors, and municipal and public lighting.
- Transportation: Replacement of a large portion of the municipal transport fleet with electric vehicles and raising awareness among citizens and private enterprise regarding energy-saving practices in the transport sector.
- Administration: As part of efforts to strengthen the municipality's administrative capacity in addressing climate change, it is proposed to establish and operate a Climate Change Office responsible for implementing this Action Plan for Energy and Climate Sustainability. One of its key responsibilities will be the creation of an energy community with the participation of the municipality.
- Energy and Renewable Energy Sources: In the energy sector, it is proposed that solar collectors be installed on emblematic municipal buildings, aiming to generate energy from renewable sources and reduce the municipality's overall carbon footprint.
- Climate Adaptation – Urban Regeneration: As part of climate change adaptation measures, the following actions are proposed: bioclimatic upgrades and renovation of selected municipal squares and parks; creation of new green spaces in targeted areas; updating Risk Management Plans; implementation of an air pollution monitoring system; calculation, monitoring, and offset of carbon footprint and new tree planting programme.
- Waste Management: In terms of waste management, it is proposed to improve the recycling system by expanding the network of recycling points and enhancing the organic waste bin system.