Thessaloniki Set for Major Transformation with €101.6M Urban Renewal Projects

Thessaloniki, Greece’s vibrant co-capital, is poised for a dramatic transformation as €101.6 million in projects aim to reshape the city’s landscape.

The announcement comes as the city prepares to host the 89th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) for two weeks starting this Saturday, spotlighting ambitious urban renewal initiatives.

Metropolitan Park at Pavlos Melas: A Green Heart for Thessaloniki

The centrepiece of these projects is the creation of a metropolitan park at the former Pavlos Melas military camp, backed by €44.3 million in investments. This expansive green space will feature four key developments, transforming the site into a hub for recreation and culture:

• Environmental Upgrades (€12.7M, EU-funded ESPA program): Works are underway to create a green oasis with pathways, three refreshment kiosks, sports facilities, and safety restoration of historic buildings.
• National Resistance Museum and Municipal Facilities (€6.9M, ESPA and A. Tritsis program): The A2 building is being restored to house a museum, exhibition space, a new city hall, a council chamber, and a small canteen.
• Metro Artifacts Museum (€14M, Recovery and Resilience Fund): The A3 building will showcase 2,000 artifacts unearthed during Thessaloniki’s metro excavations near the Agia Sofia station.
• Museum of Refugee Hellenism (€7.7M, ESPA Central Macedonia program): Buildings B4 and D will be restored to host exhibits preserving the memory of Greek refugee history.

Additionally, a €3 million private donation will fund a 3,000-acre recreational forest with features like wooden gazebos and benches. Fencing and access roads are complete, with tree planting and preparatory work for a botanical garden underway, targeting completion by April 2027.

City Center Revitalisation: Iconic Squares and Streets

Beyond Pavlos Melas, Thessaloniki’s urban core is set for a facelift:

• Aristotelous Square and Axis (€20M): Tender documents are being prepared for a major overhaul, with a bidding process expected by late autumn and completion within two years.
• Freedom Square (€9M, Green Fund): Plans to transform the square into a Holocaust Victims’ Memorial Park face delays due to legal challenges.
• Agia Sofia Pedestrianisation (€4M): The second phase, from Tsimiski to Nikis Avenue, awaits contract signing for completion within 16 months.
• Diikitirio and Dimokratias Squares: Preliminary studies are complete, with tenders planned for 2026.
• Old Waterfront Deck and UNESCO Monuments: Environmental licensing for the deck is in progress, while preparations are underway to illuminate Thessaloniki’s UNESCO-listed monuments.

Greening the City: Seih Sou Forest and Fire Protection

The Seih Sou peri-urban forest has seen 42,000 broadleaf trees planted. Through the Antinero program, funded by the Ministry of Environment and Energy, €4.87 million is enhancing fire protection across Thessaloniki, Lagkadas, and Stavros forest areas, with 70% of forest road maintenance completed. Additional efforts include:

• Mixed Firebreaks (€4.65M): Completed in settlements and roads, now in maintenance.
• Further Firebreaks (€3.24M): Under review for Chalkidiki and Thessaloniki regions.
• Forestry and Fire Protection (€11.07M): Contracts for tree felling and network maintenance bolster wildfire defenses.

A New Chapter for Thessaloniki

As the 89th TIF kicks off, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis or relevant ministers may clarify the flagship TIF redevelopment plan, which has captured public attention. These projects promise to rejuvenate Thessaloniki, blending green spaces, cultural landmarks, and modern infrastructure to elevate the city’s global appeal.

(Source: In.gr)