This acute shortage of green space has been a topic of discussion for decades, yet central and local authorities have failed to take decisive action to expand green spaces. On the contrary, decisions by these authorities often appear to not only disregard but outright reject the reasonable demands of residents and environmental organizations for more green spaces.

A recent local movement has emerged in the city, advocating for the relocation of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) outside the urban core and the transformation of its current site into a large metropolitan park. Such a park, featuring dense vegetation and accessible areas for sports and recreation, could, according to environmental scientist and former Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) professor Kostas Nikolaou, form a green corridor connecting the university campus with Xarchakos Park, creating a significant green island in the heart of Thessaloniki’s downtown area.

Listen to the podcast “The need for green islands in the grey sea of the city” with Kostas Nikolaou

However, the central government, in collaboration with the municipality and the regional authority, plans to redevelop the current TIF site with large, energy-intensive exhibition halls and a multi-story hotel. Mr. Nikolaou criticizes the project, stating: “They are engaging in real estate business, planning to build a massive hotel, taller than the White Tower, a pharaonic shopping mall, and an underground parking lot for 2,000 cars”.

In response, a coalition called “Alliance – All of TIF One Park” has been formed by dozens of organizations under the initiative of the SOS Network for Trees. The coalition demands that the TIF site not be urbanized and instead transformed entirely into a metropolitan park. They reject government claims that the redevelopment includes a metropolitan park, arguing that the plan merely features decorative lawns and shrubs amidst colossal energy-intensive buildings.

“The future of the TIF site is one of the most critical struggles for public space, the environment, and quality of life in Thessaloniki,” the coalition asserts. “The need for trees, cooling, oxygen, and open spaces is becoming increasingly urgent as the climate crisis worsens. The outdated solution of intensive construction with some grass, shrubs, and ornamental trees branded as a ‘metropolitan park’ has failed to convince citizens”.

Alongside the conversation about the transformation of TIF into a metropolitan park, the previous municipal administration of K. Zervas initiated another environmentally detrimental move by cutting down thousands of trees within the urban fabric under the pretext of their structural instability. Activists, concerned citizens, and academics strongly opposed this plan, which was largely implemented without proper studies or permits. Protests during this period even led to arrests and prosecutions of activists defending Thessaloniki’s few green elements.

The indiscriminate tree felling and the arrests of activists underscored the Thessaloniki municipality’s lack of an organized plan for maintaining existing trees or increasing plantings. Once again, critical issues related to addressing the climate crisis’ impacts were left to the discretion of a mayor or deputy mayor.

In Thessaloniki’s neighborhoods, local movements have been emerging in recent years, with residents opposing development projects on plots intended for parks or school facilities. Residents, rather than the municipality, are the ones advocating for more green space. A notable example is the former Papafi Stables site in Toumba, where plans for a large municipal building threaten to destroy the mature trees and green space currently coexisting with older, low-impact municipal structures.

The creation of new green spaces within Thessaloniki’s city limits remains a challenge. Former military bases within the urban fabric present prime opportunities to transform areas into metropolitan parks with dense greenery, sports facilities, and cultural spaces. Local communities have mobilized to demand this transformation, as these bases currently stand as abandoned spaces.

In 2017, the Ministry of National Defense granted a 99-year lease for the former Pavlos Melas base to its namesake municipality. Seven years later, work is underway to develop the outdoor areas into a metropolitan park. Within the area, there are preserved but abandoned buildings, for which only renovation and modernization studies have been conducted. The significant delay in the creation of this Metropolitan Park has deprived western Thessaloniki of a green lung for years, where citizens could visit and engage in sports activities.

The situation is even worse for other former military bases. The Kodra camp, transferred years ago to the Municipality of Kalamaria, has seen no progress toward planning or funding a metropolitan park on Thessaloniki’s eastern side. Discussions regarding the Karatasios base remain stagnant, despite long-standing demands from local committees and movements for a space dedicated to greenery, sports, and culture.

Without initiatives and the necessary political will to advance the creation of metropolitan parks in Thessaloniki, these spaces will become yet another missed opportunity for the city and its residents. This failure would represent a significant setback in efforts to mitigate and address the impacts of the climate crisis.

Research and editing: Jason Bantios, Stavroula Poulimeni, Tilemachos Fassoulas

The research of the independent media cooperative Alterthess titled “Urbal Resilience, Climate Neutrality: The case of Thessaloniki” was realised with the support of Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung-Office in Greece. Read the complete research here.

Το άρθρο The Missed Opportunities for More Green Space in Thessaloniki εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο AlterThess.gr - Όλες οι Ειδήσεις από την άλλη Θεσσαλονίκη.

Research by G. Krestenitis, G. Androulidakis, Ch. Makris, K. Kompiadou, and others has identified the Thermaikos as a Mediterranean hotspot where water temperatures have risen dramatically over the last 50 years due to climate change. This has had severe repercussions for marine species and aquaculture.

Specifically, according to Yiannis Krestenitis, Emeritus Professor of Coastal Engineering and Oceanography at the Department of Civil Engineering of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, “In the summer of 2021, we witnessed an exceptional increase in the Gulf’s water temperature, leading to mass mortality, including in mussel farms in the western region. Mussel farmers lost over half their production”.

Beyond its impact on productive sectors, this situation has also affected marine life in the Gulf, primarily due to limited water renewal. Phytoplankton blooms (red tides) and the accompanying unpleasant odors exacerbate the worrying state of the Thermaikos, despite proposals to improve its water quality in the draft of the 2nd Revision of the River Basin Management Plans. Moreover, these problems complicate daily life and worsens the quality of life for Thessaloniki’s residents.

Although a memorandum of cooperation was signed in December 2023 between the Ministry of Macedonia and Thrace and the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA) to protect and sustainably develop the Thermaikos, Mr. Krestenitis has previously emphasized that surface cleaning alone is insufficient to improve the Gulf’s water quality.

In addition to climate change, the Thermaikos suffers significant pollution from human activities. Agricultural practices, drainage, and industrial activities in the region contribute heavily to the Gulf’s degradation. Despite advances in biological treatment and waste management, uncontrolled pollution sources persist and must be identified and addressed.

Krestenitis, in conversation with Alterthess, stresses the need for a comprehensive master plan to manage the Thermaikos’ pollution, which has been pending for years.”We know from the Central Macedonia River Basin Management Plans that a master plan for the Thermaikos was proposed. It was never developed, and it is mentioned again in the revised plans as pending. Yet, we are already halfway through 2024, and there is no information about this essential master plan that has been acknowledged as necessary since 2018″.

Such a plan would clearly identify the sources contributing to the Gulf’s pollution while proposing measures to reduce pollutants, whether from agricultural activities, drainage, runoff, or other sources. Krestenitis also criticizes the current monitoring conducted by the National Water Monitoring Network as inadequate, emphasizing the need to expand the network.

Another significant issue facing the Gulf of Thessaloniki is coastal erosion caused by rising sea levels and changing wave patterns in the coastal zone. This erosion is far from benign, as it not only reduces beach areas but can also impact infrastructure near the shore. This situation highlights Greece’s reluctance to incorporate the Barcelona Protocol into national legislation, which mandates at least 100 meters of undeveloped coastal buffer zones.

Coastal erosion in the Thermaikos is expected to intensify in the coming years due to climate change. While the Region of Central Macedonia has established an Observatory for the Prevention and Management of Coastal Erosion Risks, it has yet to announce specific measures or plans to address the issue. “Nature-based solutions are needed”, says Krestenitis, “such as expanding the free coastal zone, but unfortunately, this does not seem to be a political priority at the moment”.

Listen to the podcast “Thermaikos: Boiling and polluted”, where we discuss the issue in detail with Y. Krestenitis

A particularly contentious issue is the proposed installation of a floating LNG terminal in the Thermaikos. Mr. Krestenitis notes that such a facility contradicts efforts to phase out fossil fuels and warns of the enormous risks posed by such a station’s proximity to the city. Furthermore, given that LNG terminals use seawater to heat and vaporize the liquefied gas, there is a significant risk of further degrading the Gulf’s waters.

We spoke with environmental scientist Kostas Nikolaou, PhD. of Environmental Science and former visiting professor at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, who also raises serious concerns about these plans. He warns of potentially catastrophic consequences, such as fires, and highlights issues of both water and air pollution (e.g., methane leakage).

Adaptation to climate change, which should prominently include the protection of the Thermaikos, needs to occur at a regional level. While the Region of Central Macedonia has developed a Regional Climate Change Adaptation Plan (PESPKA), Krestenitis notes that it does not clearly prioritize Thermaikos. However, he identifies a more significant problem:

“The plan has not undergone the necessary consultation with all stakeholders, civil groups, scientists, and productive sectors, so that everyone understands the anticipated impacts of climate change, the measures needed, and, most importantly, achieves consensus on these measures. Only by doing so can we approach climate change adaptation optimistically and effectively”.

Research and editing: Jason Bantios, Stavroula Poulimeni, Tilemachos Fassoulas

Up next: The Missed Opportunities for More Green Space in Thessaloniki

The research of the independent media cooperative Alterthess titled “Urbal Resilience, Climate Neutrality: The case of Thessaloniki” was realised with the support of Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung-Office in Greece. Read the complete research here.

Το άρθρο Thermaikos Gulf: A Precious Ecosystem at Risk εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο AlterThess.gr - Όλες οι Ειδήσεις από την άλλη Θεσσαλονίκη.

The importance of wetlands (lagoons, river mouths, marshes, deltas, etc.) as vital ecosystems is well-documented by national and European authorities. Wetlands support biodiversity, shield against extreme weather events and floods, combat climate change, and improve air quality. It is for these reasons that the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was signed in 1971, aiming to protect these ecosystems. However, as forestry experts Maria Panagiotopoulou and Stratis Bourdakis pointed out in 2022, citing the case of the Tsairia wetland in Peraia, “Apart from the ‘famous’ wetlands, which enjoy some level of protection through the Natura Convention, the ‘anonymous’ small wetlands, scattered across coastal areas, suffer and often disappear due to systematic drainage, leveling, and infilling. They are regarded as breeding grounds for mosquitoes and filth and are typically earmarked for haphazard development under the guise of various ambitious growth projects, such as vacation settlements, ports, airports, and, more recently, Technological Innovation Parks.”

In Thessaloniki, for several months now, the infilling of the coastal wetland at Peraia, recognized by the Hellenic Biotope-Wetland Centre (EL 52208200 Coastal Wetland of Peraia), and known locally as “Tsairia”, has been underway. The aim is the construction of the oversized “4th Generation International Technology Park – ThessINTEC.” Tsairia, along with the Coastal Wetland of Mikra (EL 522026000), represents the last remnants of the once-extensive coastal wetland at the estuary of the Anthemountas River. This area is periodically flooded, and, according to records by members of the Hellenic Ornithological Society, it is home to 190 bird species, many of which are protected under national and European Union legislation.

What is striking about this case is that, beyond the imminent destruction of a wetland, a serious issue in and of itself, the planners of ThessINTEC seem to overlook the long-term impacts of such a development, particularly regarding the area’s ability to manage heavy rainfall in the future. It also raises the question of how construction will proceed in an officially designated “No-Build Zone,” especially since the stability of buildings on the land cannot be guaranteed, even after drainage efforts.

We walk with¹ Maria Panagiotopoulou, ornithologist, and Petros Kakouros, environmental forester, at Tsairia, where ThessINTEC is planned to be built – Watch the video:

The Beginnings of ThessINTEC:

In 2020, TAIPED (Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund) allocated a prime 760-acre site at Tsairia, with views of the sea and Mount Hortiatis and located near Thessaloniki’s airport, to the Alexandria Innovation Zone. This organization, in turn, granted a 99-year lease to a public-private partnership (PPP), the Business Park Development Company ThessINTEC S.A. (EANEP ThessINTEC S.A.), which is responsible for the project’s planning and construction. The private sector holds a 58% stake, while the public sector retains the remaining 42%. This company controls the necessary studies for, and construction of the project. To date, €20 million in private funding and €35 million from the Recovery and Resilience Fund have been secured for the project’s first phase, with an estimated total investment of €50 million planned for infrastructure and initial buildings. Additional investments include €25 million from the Center for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH) and €30 million from an Israeli fund.

The ThessINTEC project has been described by the government and its proponents as “The Next Big Thing,” with promises of fostering startup innovation, attracting high-tech companies and researchers from abroad, creating 7,000 jobs, and more. Beyond research facilities, ThessINTEC will feature buildings and infrastructure, parking spaces, a hotel, an aquarium, residential units, and other amenities. The plan includes a commitment to allocate 5% of the property to green spaces in its southern section, as well as the creation of a green area along the beachfront (extending up to 30 meters from the shoreline).

In October 2022, Greece’s Council of State (CoS) rejected the initial Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA) for the ThessINTEC project. The SEIA failed to mention the wetland located in the area, its ecological characteristics, or its significance as a habitat for birdlife. According to a report by the Thermaic Gulf Protected Areas Management Authority (now OFYPEKA), the wetland is a crucial breeding ground for wading and waterbirds and serves as a gathering place for migratory and overwintering species.

A striking example of the SEIA’s inadequacy was its reliance solely on data from a study by Fraport, the operator of the nearby Macedonia airport. This study focused only on bird species and bird-aircraft collisions near the airport, without addressing the flora, fauna, or ecological value of the wetland itself. The CoS requested further clarification and additional data on the wetland’s ecosystem. A revised SEIA was subsequently submitted but was challenged by the Hellenic Ornithological Society. However, the challenge was dismissed, and in February 2024, a Presidential Decree was issued defining land uses, building terms, and restrictions for the area.

Challenges of Building on a Wetland

The Presidential Decree (FEK 15/02/2024) reflects the concerns voiced by the scientific community, public institutions, and experts. Among its key provisions, it mandates that all necessary measures must be taken, based on approved studies, to mitigate flood risks associated with the inclusion of the area in a Zone of Potentially High Flood Risk (Article 3, Paragraph 4). According to the Presidential Decree, addressing this risk must “be a priority both for resolving issues of construction unsuitability and as a key design parameter to ensure the proper use of areas that include building facilities and other developed surfaces.” In any case, it is required to take into account the provisions of the approved River Basin Management and Flood Risk Management Plan for the Central Macedonia Water District, as well as the recommendations outlined in the geological suitability study.

As Maria Panagiotopoulou, a forester-ornithologist, briefly explains in an interview with Alterthess, “The Presidential Decree itself prioritizes and makes it a necessary condition to conduct a required geological study in order to determine the necessary works for improving the conditions of the subsoil, based on the conclusions of the geotechnical study (Article 3/Paragraph 1.6).”

According to Ms. Panagiotopoulou, “It is evident that the project’s design is incomplete, as it is now widely recognized that a significant portion of the investment is located in an area classified as a ‘No-Build Zone’ due to the hydrogeological substrate, which is waterlogged, as well as the presence of a seismic fault. At the same time, because the area is the river’s estuary (and specifically its last free-flowing section due to the airport and other buildings), this makes the location even more unsuitable for construction. Notably, the geological study the company itself has prepared² mentions that landslides occur over a very long period, meaning we cannot immediately perceive the impacts of construction.”

Thus, the Presidential Decree calls for “all necessary measures to be taken to lift the building prohibition and ensure the feasibility of construction (including the study and approval of required drainage and flood protection works, reconfiguration of the terrain through backfilling of low-lying areas with suitable granular materials, properly compacted, and finalized with appropriate elevation levels and morphological slopes).”

Maria Panagiotopoulou highlights the importance of recognizing that “the area of Peraia, as well as the Municipality of Thermaikos, has repeatedly been affected by severe weather events and flooding of low-lying coastal plains, culminating in the devastating storm of September 2016, which resulted in the loss of a woman’s life. Additionally, the Business Park will host a significant number of employees and visitors on a daily basis. Therefore, it is deemed essential to evaluate the adequacy of the flood protection measures (Article 3/Paragraph 5).”

What stance did the local authorities take?

To issue the above Presidential Decree, the Metropolitan Committee of Thessaloniki gave a majority-positive opinion in May 2023 regarding the proposals of its services on the updated version of the Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA) for the Special Urban Planning Scheme for the establishment of a 4th Generation Technology Park.

To issue the above Presidential Decree, the Metropolitan Committee of Thessaloniki gave a majority-positive opinion in May 2023 regarding the proposals of its services on the updated version of the Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA) for the Special Urban Planning Scheme for the establishment of a 4th Generation Technology Park.

However, the reservations expressed by the services of the Region of Central Macedonia regarding the SEIA were of particular interest. As stated in their report, “The criteria examined for assessing the plan’s impacts on each mentioned bird species were weighted equally. Consequently, the risk of habitat reduction or loss, which was assessed as high for several species, was ‘mitigated’ by offsetting with other criteria. Moreover, it is not clear why the risk of displacement due to disturbance, which is undoubtedly significant for certain species due to the reduction of the wetland nature of the area and the increased human presence, is mostly characterized as low, and only moderate for two species.” Additionally, the services pointed out that the SEIA “concluded, among other things, that no change is expected in the diversity or number of bird species,” which, in their view, “is not strongly substantiated, given the change in the character of the area.” The members of the Metropolitan Committee who opposed the proposal were Giorgos Zervas, Anatoli Agathangelidou, Sotirios Avramopoulos, Philippos Ganoulis, and Nikolaos Chrysomallis. 

Among the objections raised were concerns over the cementing of a plot of land that hosts such rich biodiversity, as noted by Philippos Ganoulis, as well as the fact that the allocation of 760 acres constitutes the privatization of a large expanse of public land. Sotirios Avramopoulos argued that “we are talking about state funding for what is essentially a private business project. local government, universities, and research centers in the area are being used as a ‘front’ for a corporate scheme in which decisive power will lie with the Northern Greece Industrialists Association (SVE), the Exporters’ Association (SEVE), and major businesses.” He further stated that the property allocated to EANEP for the establishment of the technology park faces significant issues in terms of seismic and flood protection, which would require additional funding to address, a cost that will ultimately fall on taxpayers through taxation.

The Municipality of Thermaikos also issued a positive opinion on the matter.

Concrete in a Flood-Prone Wetland

In the consultation for the revision of the Strategic Environmental Impact Assessments for the Central Macedonia Water District, the primary flood risk management issues identified include the rising mean sea level in coastal areas of the Thessaloniki Gulf, particularly in the regions of Loudias, Kalochori, and the coastal settlements of Agia Triada, Peraia, and Neoi Epivates. Additionally, based on risk analyses, there is a high risk of flooding at the intersection of the Anthemountas River with the Thessaloniki-Nea Moudania National Road and in the area near Macedonia Airport.

Studies conducted on the geomorphological characteristics of the river basin reveal that sharp peak flood phenomena and debris transport have occurred even with rainfall of moderate significance. The dominant land uses affected include densely cultivated agricultural fields and grassland areas, with urban areas being affected to a lesser extent. The magnitude of flood depth and flow velocity is significant enough to cause damage. According to the Flood Risk Management Plan, flooding problems have been reported in the settlements of Thermi and Vasilika. Notably, the area of Thermi, where a significant flood event was recently recorded (on September 7, 2016), is identified in all flood scenarios as a very high-risk area.

It is significant to note that the European Union’s Climate Adaptation Strategy, formulated in February 2021, emphasizes promoting large-scale nature-based solutions to address the gradual rise in sea levels in coastal areas. Such solutions would increase climate resilience while contributing to multiple goals of the European Green Deal. These include the protection and restoration of wetlands, coastal, and marine ecosystems.

As the strategy states, “The use of nature-based solutions inland, including restoring the sponge-like function of soils, will enhance the supply of clean, fresh water and reduce flood risk.”

This raises a critical question: how do European and national directives on urban “resilience” align with the decision to densely redevelop a large coastal area, as in the case of ThessINTEC, in a region already heavily altered and developed? Furthermore, another issue is whether such actions violate European Directive 2000/60/EC, which aims to protect water bodies, including wetlands, as well as the UN’s directive for ecosystem restoration and the recent European law on nature restoration.

Another major issue in the area is the salinization of extensive regions in the Anthemountas Valley, particularly around Peraia, due to over-extraction of groundwater to meet agricultural demands. Consequently, and based on scientific studies (Nagoulis and Loupasakis, 2001), decades of uncontrolled actions have rendered the area unsuitable for construction. In its intervention during the public consultation on the SEIA for ThessINTEC, the magazine Ecotopia concluded that extensive salinization increases the risk of land subsidence, making the area unsuitable for construction, a point also emphasized in the SEIA itself. The study notes particularly adverse geotechnical conditions in the surface subsoil and proposes appropriate stabilization works. However, the study appears to overlook fundamental safety issues related to construction in a wetland while downplaying the impacts on birds, characterizing the effects of the complete and irreversible destruction of the wetland as “negligible.”

While it is evident that millions of euros will be spent attempting to develop the wetland, a practice with high environmental costs that also hinders efforts to address climate change impacts, a multitude of abandoned industrial buildings across the city continue to remain unused.

The reuse of such properties is not just an example taken from abroad but is already being implemented in parts of Eastern Thessaloniki (e.g., the Pfizer building) and other areas in the country (e.g., on Piraeus Street and in central Piraeus). However, in the case of ThessINTEC, contrary to all common-sense efforts toward environmentally protective practices, the preference is to build on the mud, ironically under the guise of innovation!

Research and editing: Jason Bantios, Stavroula Poulimeni, Tilemachos Fassoulas

Up next: Thermaikos Gulf: A Precious Ecosystem at Risk

The research of the independent media cooperative Alterthess titled “Urbal Resilience, Climate Neutrality: The case of Thessaloniki” was realised with the support of Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung-Office in Greece. Read the complete research here.

1. The interviews with Maria Panagiotopoulou and Petros Kakouros took place in June 2024
2. See the Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment of ThessINTEC

Το άρθρο ThessINTEC: The End of a Wetland in the Name of “Innovation” εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο AlterThess.gr - Όλες οι Ειδήσεις από την άλλη Θεσσαλονίκη.

However, over the course of history, particularly during periods of intense urbanization, practices such as landfilling, straightening, boundary restriction, and encasing streams in wire cages destroyed the beds of many water courses and a significant portion of the riparian vegetation, prioritizing construction over preservation.

These methods resulted in the ancient streambeds within the city walls becoming forgotten. Nevertheless, water’s “memory” of its original routes resurfaces during heavy rainfall, leading to increased speed of flood waters, increased risk of debris being dragged along and even loss of human lives. Simultaneously, the complete sealing of the soil through infrastructure development and the use of impermeable materials significantly reduced water infiltration and absorption by the ground¹.

In recent years, efforts to address the growing frequency of extreme weather events caused by the climate crisis, the pronounced urban heat island effect, and the need for public and free spaces have shifted the perception that streams, water channels, and wetlands are problems to be eliminated by making them disappear.

While at the European level, the protection of wetlands and waterways has become a priority, in Greece, until a few years ago, their protection was regarded as a quirky obsession of ecological and environmental organizations. It took severe flood events and threats to human lives for the gravity of the situation to be recognized, leading to slow changes in practices.

It is a fact that most of the water courses that existed in Thessaloniki before the construction of the peripheral water channel in the eastern part of the city no longer remain. Only small sections of their open beds have been preserved.

To delve deeper into this issue, we visited significant wetlands and waterways with Giorgos Blionis PhD², a biologist-ecologist, and Petros Kakouros³, a forester-environmentalist, in an effort to identify the main problems facing our city.

Stagiritis Water Course

“The two largest and most significant streams in the Thessaloniki area are Dendropotamos in the west and Anthemountas in the east. Essentially, we are talking about rivers, or at least that’s how they were historically described. Anthemountas is mentioned as far back as the era of Alexander the Great because the region of Vasilika hosted a thriving community that provided horsemen for Alexander’s elite cavalry, the famed Anthemousian Squadron. This underscores the importance of the Anthemountas area since ancient times. Within this broader area, there are about six to seven smaller streams now located within the city’s urban fabric. The largest of these is the Megalo Rema (Great Stream), of which the catchment area includes the Stagiritis-Malakopi water course, the Elaionrema (Olive Stream), the stream descending from Panorama, and several smaller ones, explains G. Blionis.

Blionis elaborates, “The water used to flow through the Charilaou and Toumba neighborhoods, past the Kalos Garden, and ended up in one of two directions; either towards the present-day Folklore Museum or towards what is now the 5th Gymnasium School, nearThessaloniki Concert Hall. Now the peripheral water channel collects the flood runoff. Between these two lowland sections of the runoff basin was the Exoches district, now better known as the Analipsi neighborhood. It’s no coincidence that in the late 19th century, when the city expanded beyond its walls, all the wealthy villas of Thessaloniki were built there. The microclimate is cool in the area, trees were planted, it has access to the sea and connects the natural environment with the city’s history and architectural heritage”, Blionis adds.

Regarding the Stagiritis-Malakopi stream, Blionis clarifies that it originates from the Seich Sou and flows into the peripheral water channel (at the junction of Stagiritis and Dimos Tseliou streets) in the municipality of Pylaia-Chortiatis. During the construction of the ring road in the 1980s, part of the streambed was filled in, causing the natural water course to change abruptly and continue to flow underground via pipes. The stream has also suffered from other controversial interventions, including straightening and the installation of wire cages, which narrowed its bed and destroyed its vegetation. At the Seich Sou elevation, only one of its three mountain tributaries maintains an open, natural bed, albeit with minor interventions (wire cages) up to the Roman aqueduct in Pylaia.

The recent Fly Over construction works further complicate the stream’s future. As G. Blionis points out, the impact of these projects, which involve design-and-build contracts, is unclear since their ramifications are not pre-assessed. Concerns arise over the extensive interventions in sections of the water course that have not yet been officially delineated and the potential problems that may be created.

What If the Daniel Weather Event Had Moved Further North?

This question was posed a year and a half ago by the municipal group “City Upside Down” and Michalis Tremopoulos, leader of the municipal group “Ecology-Solidarity”, in the wake of Storm Daniel in September 2023. The storm, which devastated the broader region of Thessaly, caused immense destruction and led to the loss of both human lives and livestock.

“Ethnikis Amynis Street would revert to its old form as the Evangelistria river. The ground floors and basements of stores along its entire length, from the Sintrivani Fountain to the White Tower, would be at risk of flooding. Nearby, the Chortatzides water course, which runs through the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) area, would wreak havoc on its facilities,” noted the local municipal group City Upside Down at the time in reference to one of the many parts of the city once traversed by natural water courses which are now buried, enclosed in pipes, or channeled underground. This includes the TIF water channel, where streets turn into rivers during heavy rain.

A striking example of the potential consequences of these buried torrents occurred in May 2018 at the South Gate of the TIF grounds, in the area which traditionally hosts the annual Flower Exhibition. A heavy downpour swept away all the flowerpots and beds, starkly reminding the city of the repercussions of encasing waterways in concrete within urban areas.

This recurring issue highlights the reasoning behind the calls for relocating the TIF grounds and transforming the area into a metropolitan green park. Far from being a reckless act, this idea is seen by city movements and collectives as a calculated, realistic approach aimed at serving the genuine interests and improving the quality of life of Thessaloniki’s residents.

The Peripheral Water Channel

A pressing question for many is how the Peripheral Water Channel responds to heavy rainfall, whether it can handle such a large volume of water and whether the underground streams of Yfanet in Toumba, and the Governor’s Mansion will withstand the pressure or pose risks to adjacent roads.

“In 1955, as we document in our book Thessaloniki of Waters, the peripheral water channel was constructed in the eastern part of the city specifically to address severe and increasingly frequent flooding in areas such as Analipsi, Faliro, and even around the White Tower. This major engineering project redirected floodwaters from most waterways descending from the Seich Sou forest. However, it left the stream beds downstream exposed to even greater pressure because they were deemed inactive and were repurposed for various uses”, explains G. Blionis. He notes that “above the peripheral water channel, several streams remain open. Thankfully, since the 1990s and with the growing discourse on the value of waterways, a new approach has emerged: keeping the beds open with interventions like straightening and stabilizing the beds using wire cages ”.

However, Blionis acknowledges that while this method offers advantages compared to earlier practices of burying and enclosing water channels, it still falls short of natural standards. Trees, he emphasizes, “are more effective along riverbanks and offer a far more natural method of stabilizing the bed. Instead of wire cages, we could adopt a mixed approach using boulders and trees. We know, from visits to natural plane tree forests and riverbanks, how plane trees with their trunks and roots play a significant role in stabilizing stream banks”.

Scientists considering the impacts of climate change advocate for additional natural solutions for waterways, such as retention basins. “This means creating a natural lake adjacent to a torrent bed that can act as a buffer during heavy rainfalls. However, this requires preserving open spaces in urban environments. These areas should not be used for construction or public infrastructure, so we can better manage extreme weather events in the future. These solutions not only address environmental challenges but also offer residents opportunities for improved quality of life”, he concludes.

Dendropotamos: A Heavily Disturbed Ecosystem That Still Survives

In the western part of Thessaloniki, the flood basin of Dendropotamos has been recorded for centuries, as documented in the book by Blionis and Tremopoulos. Historically, these floods caused no damage since the stream’s bed was in a largely uninhabited area. However, its impact began to grow with urban development in the 1960s, culminating in the catastrophic 1972 flood, which prompted a study for the channeling and regulation of the stream’s lower, populated section. By the 1990s, the bed of the man-made water channel in Evosmos was covered, and Dendropotamos Avenue was constructed. Most of the Dendropotamos stream and its tributaries, especially in the Efkarpia area, are now covered. Despite the remaining vegetation, the area has been severely degraded due to industrial activity, quarries, the TITAN cement factory, and more recently, the Efkarpia Waste Transfer Station (WTS). Only a small section of the Dendropotamos water channel near its origin remains open. As Blionis and Tremopoulos note, this area is home to oil storage tanks, tanneries, and cement-loading facilities, which contribute to occasional foul odors.

According to Petros Kakouros, despite its ongoing pressures, the Dendropotamos area remains significant as the eastern boundary of the vast wetland system encompassing the Axios, Gallikos, Loudias, and Aliakmonas rivers

“The river, despite its diversion, managed to form a new deltaic system, which, though heavily disturbed, still connects to the Kalohori area in the west. This area continues to face serious pressure from infrastructure development, heavy industry, and traditional uses such as slaughterhouses which are not currently operating. However, it retains considerable natural value and, with proper ecological restoration, could become a green oasis”.

The second aspect that underscores the importance of the Dendropotamos area is its role in protecting the land from extreme weather events originating from the sea. P Kakouros explains, “The climate crisis, as we’re already experiencing, increases wind speeds and the intensity of weather events. This means we need a coastal defense system to prevent seawater intrusion into inland areas. These inland infrastructures, especially in agricultural zones, are highly vulnerable to saltwater. Wetlands are excellent for carbon storage due to their water presence. Their year-round high biological activity, especially in warmer temperatures, makes them critical ecosystems”.

Until the late 1970s, such areas were globally considered “useless,” leading to efforts to drain and fill them. This perception, Mr. Kakouros explains, has since changed.

“With scientific contributions, it was proven that wetlands are far from useless, they provide significant ecosystem services, some with substantial economic benefits. In Thessaloniki, for instance, mussel farming in the Delta area is a highly profitable activity employing many people. Even at the Dendropotamos estuary, there is an informal anchorage for fishing boats, indicating that the area is far from lifeless, it has fish and life” he concludes.

Unified Coastal Front: A Plan Still Stuck in Studies

The coastal zone of Thessaloniki, stretching from Kalohori to Peraia, has long been the subject of studies aiming to unify it into an environmentally sound, accessible area. Despite various studies by relevant authorities for its protection, true political will seems absent. Over 15 years have passed since these plans were first discussed, and progress remains confined to the study phase.

“The Unified Coastal Front project seems to overlook two critical factors”, explains Yiannis Krestenitis, Emeritus Professor of Coastal Engineering and Oceanography, to Alterthess. “First, it faces the sea, which needs to be clean. Second, it disregards the climate crisis, which exacerbates coastal erosion, rising sea levels, and phenomena like coastal flooding, which we have already experienced.” Krestenitis notes that coastal erosion is not unique to Thessaloniki and is expected to worsen under climate crisis predictions.

Krestenitis stresses that addressing this phenomenon should not involve grandiose engineering projects to push back the sea. Instead, solutions closer to nature are needed, such as expanding the coastal area. Unfortunately, this approach does not seem to align with current policy choices. He points to a recent amendment to shoreline legislation as evidence, “Once again, we failed to incorporate the provisions of the Barcelona Protocol into our laws. The protocol stipulates that human activities, urban, tourism-related, agricultural, etc. should begin at least 100 meters inland from the shoreline. Here, unfortunately, the coastal zone remains narrow, often reduced further to serve various proposals and interests”.

In any case, it is evident from the statements made by the Deputy Regional Governor of Thessaloniki, Kostas Gioutikas, to Alterthess, that the unification of the coastal front spanning 40 kilometers from Kalochori to Aggelochori has not yet begun, as it remains stalled due to the pending issuance of a Presidential Decree. “The Presidential Decree is still pending due to the ministry. We have submitted all the studies and made all the requested corrections. The ministry needs to finally progress so that we can establish a foundation”, he stated when asked about the issue.

“The foundation involves specific, unified land uses so that the entire coastal front can be planned comprehensively and all necessary resources can be secured, whether they come from state funds, European funds, NSRF resources, or even private investments, to complete such a large and emblematic project”, he added. Furthermore, he mentioned that the Region of Central Macedonia has, in the meantime, begun the cleanup and restoration of six kilometers along the Gallikos River. Plans are also underway to extend the “Red Trail” for the creation of a cycling path and to establish a maritime stop at the boundaries of the Delta Municipality and the Menemeni-Ampelokipoi Municipality.

What Thessaloniki truly needs is a comprehensive spatial planning framework according to scientists, organizations, and activist movements; that is a regulatory plan with binding provisions to ensure even a basic level of progress toward protecting its natural environment, biodiversity, and, of course, human life. As Petros Kakouros puts it: “At the moment, we have a mishmash of specialized spatial plans and specific studies, one for the former Pavlos Melas military camp, another for the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), yet another for the coastal front, Dendropotamos, and Kalochori. None of these are interconnected. And how can all these plans claim to promote resilience when a critical aspect of transitioning to a resilient city is having a cohesive plan? No one can explain why this is happening”.

Research and editing: Jason Bantios, Stavroula Poulimeni, Tilemachos Fassoulas

Up next: ThessINTEC: The End of a Wetland in the Name of “Innovation”

The research of the independent media cooperative Alterthess titled “Urbal Resilience, Climate Neutrality: The case of Thessaloniki” was realised with the support of Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung-Office in Greece. Read the complete research here.

1. Stavros Tsoumalakis, Master’s Thesis: The Streams of Thessaloniki, Spatial and Hydraulic Perspective, October 2017
2. The interviews with Giorgos Blionis took place in April and May 2024
3. The interview with Petros Kakouros took place in July 2024

Το άρθρο Waterways and Wetlands: Their Preservation as a Prerequisite for Improving Our Lives εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο AlterThess.gr - Όλες οι Ειδήσεις από την άλλη Θεσσαλονίκη.

Despite public statements endorsing these principles, Thessaloniki appears still to be following policies that go in the opposite direction. The delayed completion of the main Metro line, the long-standing neglect of urban buses, and the start of construction on the elevated expressway (FlyOver) confirm this observation. Although the central line of the Thessaloniki Metro was inaugurated a few days before our report was published, 18 years after its construction began, it only serves a small part of the city. The western districts, home to thousands of workers, are not expected to be connected to the Metro for decades.

While the rest of Europe effectively implements plans for extensive public transport networks and soft mobility via walking and cycling, Thessaloniki is building the FlyOver peripheral expressway. This is a governmental decision that sends the wrong message to citizens, essentially telling them, “Don’t abandon your car; buy another one.” As part of our investigation, we visited the Konstantinopolitika neighborhood, which is adjacent to Thessaloniki’s existing ring road and will be significantly impacted by the construction of the elevated expressway.

As Alexandros Adamidis¹, legal advisor to the Konstantinopolitika Residents’ Association, pointed out, there was no substantial consultation with the local community before the contract was signed and preliminary construction work was begun. Furthermore, the data regarding the project’s impact on the Seich Sou suburban forest keeps changing. “The main reasons for the cancellation requests filed by the Konstantinopolitika Residents’ Association, the Seich Sou Protection Committee, and the Thessaloniki Health Runners Association are the violations of environmental laws and constitutional provisions protecting the environment. This is because proper studies on atmospheric and noise pollution, both during construction and operation, were not conducted; instead, the Ministry’s faulty measurements from the pandemic period were used”, Adamidis emphasized.

Maria Bontila², a resident and member of the Residents’ Association, spoke to Alterthess about the significant problems already experienced by the local population. “Air pollution has skyrocketed. Atmospheric pollutants have quintupled, particularly PM10 and, more importantly, PM2.5, which are the most harmful because they settle in various organs of the human body, causing damage and even deat”, Bontila noted. She added, “When the project is completed, which we hope it never will be, all the cars coming off the elevated expressway will end up congested right here.” She also stressed the importance of the joint action of 53 Thessaloniki organizations opposing the FlyOver’s construction.

Watch the video of the discussion with the members of the Konstantinopolitika Residents’ Association Al. Adamidis and M. Bontila

Commenting on Thessaloniki’s traffic management approach, environmentalist and former Visiting Professor at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), Kostas Nikolaou³, told Alterthess that policies should focus on strengthening public transportation systems. This would improve traffic flow, create more humane, rapid, and affordable transport options, and reduce fuel consumption, which helps mitigate the climate crisis. “Here, we are doing the exact opposite. Instead of addressing traffic, they are building a second ring road above the existing one, essentially adding another layer. This will inevitably increase vehicle traffic” Nikolaou stressed.

Giannis Toskas⁴, CEO of Thessaloniki’s Transport Authority (OSETH), a body supervised by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, distanced himself from the government’s decision to construct the FlyOver expressway. In his interview with Alterthess, Toskas stated: “Solving the traffic issue essentially requires abandoning private cars, especially in the city center, something unfeasible given today’s conditions and the prevailing culture of transportation mobility in Greece”.

He added: “At OSETH (the authority responsible for public transport and urban transit oversight), we believe that the only possibility for sustainable development and promoting Thessaloniki as a metropolitan city is to enhance public transportation infrastructure and foster intermodal systems for comfortable, fast, safe, and affordable travel.” Toskas expressed optimism about the continued expansion of the Metro network, projected to continue until 2040.

Michalis Tremopoulos⁵, municipal councilor and member of the Ecology-Solidarity movement, presented his proposal for a tram network in Thessaloniki. “The tram axis we are proposing can cover areas with high population density and major commercial and administrative functions, while also serving the rapidly developing coastal area and the new Holocaust Museum. It would connect with the Western Suburban Railway”, Tremopoulos explained. He further argued that if this tram proposal had been adopted in the 1980s instead of the Metro project, we would not have been stuck for 35 years as a city with much of the center blocked off due to construction works.

Research and editing: Jason Bantios, Stavroula Poulimeni, Tilemachos Fassoulas

Up Next: Waterways and Wetlands: Their Preservation as a Prerequisite for Improving Our Lives

The research of the independent media cooperative Alterthess titled “Urbal Resilience, Climate Neutrality: The case of Thessaloniki” was realised with the support of Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung-Office in Greece. Read the complete research here.

1. The interview with Alexandros Adamidis took place in June 2024
2. The interview with Maria Bontila took place in June 2024
3. The interview with Kostas Nikolaou took place in June 2024
4. The interview with Giannis Toskas took place in June 2024
5. The interview with Michalis Tremopoulos took place in July 2024

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For years, Thessaloniki’s air quality has been a well-documented problem. Greece’s conviction by the European Court of Justice in March 2023 for air pollution in Thessaloniki (specifically for the systematic breach of the daily limit of particulate matter PM10) is a striking example.

Authorities recognize the problem, as evidenced by the meeting of the new Local Operational Coordinating Body for Civil Protection of Thessaloniki Municipality in May and the municipality’s initiative to create the Unified Environmental Management System, a platform for monitoring air pollution.

The city’s main issue lies in its particularly high concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 particles (and to a lesser extent nitrogen dioxide and ozone), which have severe impacts on human health, being linked to cancer, cardiopulmonary diseases, and more. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), air pollution not only causes chronic illnesses but also leads to premature deaths. In 2020, at least 238,000 people in the EU died prematurely due to exposure to PM2.5 pollution exceeding the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³.

The primary sources of air pollution include industrial activities, port operations, traffic congestion, biomass burning, and meteorological conditions, explains Theodosis Kassandros¹, a physicist and mechanical engineer with a doctorate specializing in air pollution, to Alterthess .

In reference to biomass burning (which is often cited by policymakers as a major cause of pollution), Kassandros highlights that although it contributes to the problem, it is not the primary offender, as high concentrations are observed even in spring and autumn.

Industrial activities also play a role, as evidenced by high concentrations in the industrial areas of Sindos and Kordelio. However, the most significant problem appears elsewhere, with the highest excessive measurements recorded at the Agias Sofias station, classified as an urban traffic monitoring station.

“When you have thousands of cars stuck in traffic from Botsari Street to the city center and beyond, all of them are burning fuel and emitting particles,” Kassandros comments, pointing to traffic congestion as a key issue, which worsened significantly with the start of FlyOver construction.

However, what Thessaloniki truly lacks is a more thorough study of the city’s pollution sources to determine exactly how much each one contributes to the problem, as well as a mechanism to analyze the chemical composition of the particles. “Because, when we know their chemical composition, we can make better assumptions about their origins,” Mr. Kassandros notes. He advocates strengthening cycling infrastructure, replacing public buses with electric vehicles, and creating a major green lung in the city center (e.g., at the Thessaloniki International Fairgrounds) as measures to counter air pollution.

Part of the solution could potentially include low-cost sensors, which are being researched by Mr. Kassandros. Specifically, although they currently lack precision and measurement quality (although they are constantly improving), their extremely low cost allows for their widespread installation throughout the city, creating extensive monitoring networks and providing significantly more data.

Listen to the podcast with Theodosis Kassandros “A Child Counts Microparticles”

For the same issue, we reached out to Yannis Krestenitis, Emeritus Professor of Coastal Engineering and Oceanography in the Department of Civil Engineering at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, who shared with Alterthess² a brief account of the inaction by the Region of Central Macedonia:

“The responsibility for having a program to address air pollution lies with the Region of Central Macedonia, which commissioned the relevant study in 2018. This study was completed and submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Energy, which deemed it inadequate because it lacked explicit costs and clear measures. Subsequently, the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NRCCA) was tasked with conducting an implementation study specifically for the necessary measures regarding particulate matter, which was delivered to the Ministry in late 2022. Yet, even in 2024, there is still no actionable plan on how to tackle air pollution, particularly the issue of PM10 and PM2.5 particles”.

Specifically, the “Operational Action Plan for Combating Air Pollution”, commissioned at the time by the Region of Central Macedonia with a budget of €100,000 from its own resources, was delivered in 2020 and was characterized as innovative. However, according to a document from the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEE) that deemed the study insufficient, it referenced measures without providing a detailed analysis of their implementation costs, the funding sources, or the necessary legislative adjustments. Most importantly, the study failed to quantitatively assess the contribution of each proposed measure to PM10 concentrations or estimate when, and with what level of compliance, the limit values would be achieved at monitoring stations where excesses had been previously observed. Despite Greece already being referred to the European Court over the issue, a new study was commissioned by the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency, with a €74,400 grant aimed at supplementing the incomplete regional study with specific, quantifiable measures. This study was completed in May 2022, and a few months later, Greece was convicted. However, even this study failed to lead to the adoption of concrete measures, aside from recommendations to reduce biomass burning for heating purposes.

The limits set by national and European legislation for PM10 are as follows:

• An annual mean concentration limit of 40 µg/m³.
• A daily mean concentration limit of 50 µg/m³.
• A daily mean concentration should not be exceeded more than 35 times per year.
• For PM2.5, an annual mean concentration limit of 20 µg/m³.

The years 2023 and 2024 were recorded as having exceeded the PM10 and PM2.5 limits at air pollution monitoring stations in Thessaloniki.

According to data from the Region of Central Macedonia, during the period December 2022 – January 2023, the average daily PM10 concentrations did not exceed 100 µg/m³. However, in December 2023, this threshold was exceeded once at the Agias Sofias station and twice at the Stavroupoli station. In the first half of January 2024, the 100 µg/m³ threshold was exceeded once at the Agias Sofias station and once at the Kordelio station.

Furthermore, in the first half of January 2024, the 50 µg/m³ daily limit was exceeded 7 times at the Agias Sofias station, 7 times at the Kordelio station, 5 times at the Stavroupoli station, and 4 times at the Kalamaria station.

“The levels of particulate matter in the last two months have approached 100 µg/m³ (double the allowable limit) with greater frequency than in the past. The problem is mainly concentrated in the city center (Agias Sofias station) but has also become more pronounced in Kordelio and Stavroupoli. For Kalamaria, although the instances of exceeding particulate matter limits are fewer than in other parts of the city, “the first half of January 2024 saw greater levels than in previous years”, stated the Deputy Regional Governor for Environment and Development, Konstantinos Youtikas, in January 2024. He attributed the primary causes to the increased traffic within Thessaloniki’s city limits, exacerbated by the ongoing FlyOver construction works.

However, the Regional government of Central Macedonia still considers the plan developed five or six years ago to be sufficient. Speaking to Alterthess, Konstantinos Youtikas, eleven months after the aforementioned statements, stressed the following: “Five years ago, we completed a specific plan detailing which projects need to be implemented to reduce air pollution in the city center. At the time, we said that if significant infrastructure projects were not completed, the city would not be able to breathe, so to speak. If the Metro is not finished, if buses are not replaced with electric ones or vehicles that emit fewer exhaust fumes, and if pellet, oil, or even wood-burning stoves and fireplaces in the Ano Poli (old town) are not replaced with natural gas furnaces, we will continue to face such phenomena”.

K. Youtikas expressed confidence that they are monitoring the issue and that this year, with the operation of the Metro, will be a better year for the center of Thessaloniki. In addition to upgrading the operation of Air Pollution Monitoring Stations and installing new stations to cover a wider geographical range of air pollution fluctuations, he noted that the Region is implementing green projects to improve air quality.

Nevertheless, when asked about the ongoing construction of the FlyOver and the anticipated increase in traffic after its completion, Mr. Kassandros admitted that the start of construction caused a sharp rise in air pollution, not only in PM10 particles but also in nitrogen monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon emissions, with their levels increasing even in Kalamaria. According to Youtikas, the FlyOver expressway, once completed, will mitigate congestion on the ring road, which existed even before construction began. “The FlyOver expressway will improve the situation, reducing traffic jams. It will add extra lanes, both vertically and horizontally, to the left and right. This will ease the situation, as fewer cars will pass through the city center, which unfortunately is what we’re experiencing today. It will  alleviate city center through-traffic from east to west, thereby improving both air quality and traffic flow, as well as reducing travel time for drivers, visitors, and residents traveling from east to west. Whether in regard to heavy vehicles or regular passenger cars, the pollutants emitted by a vehicle in smooth traffic flow are much lower than those produced when it is stuck in a traffic jam on the ring road,” he explained.

In Western Thessaloniki, Residents Still Struggle to Breathe

A Never-Ending Malodorous Story

Waking up with numbness in your body, a burning throat and eyes, and living with headaches and nausea is something the residents of Western Thessaloniki know all too well, and have experienced for years. What is striking is that despite a 2018 investigation by the Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control of the AUTH Chemistry Department identifying the source of the odor (the industrial facilities of Hellenic Petroleum) and pinpointing the chemical substances causing the issue, residents remain trapped in a suffocating situation.

Their demand for a better quality of life remains unmet, while justice for the discomfort and the degradation of the air they breathe is still elusive.

Since as early as 2015, residents of the Evosmos-Kordelio municipality have been rallying around the cry that “breathing is a right”. This group of citizens, alongside others like the “Initiative Against Hellenic Petroleum,” have highlighted the issue of the odor and pushed for an investigation into its causes. The group “Breathing is a Right” created a Facebook page to document odor incidents and report them to the relevant authorities, including the municipality and regional government. After numerous protests, petitions, additional reports to the Citizen’s Advocate group and the Environmental Inspection Agency, as well as online postings and campaigns, the Region of Central Macedonia announced that it would collaborate with the Aristotle University’s Chemistry Department and a research team led by Professor Konstantini Samara to investigate the source of the odor. At the same time, the region received a €125,000 donation from Hellenic Petroleum to purchase specialized equipment.

The odor controversy escalated dramatically in September 2017, when it was revealed that a large number of residents in the Kordelio-Evosmos area were being monitored by the private company One Team, acting on behalf of Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE). The company allegedly kept files on residents’ activities, recorded their political views, and made evaluations regarding the odor issue, especially when residents attributed blame to ELPE. The Minister of Environment at the time, Giorgos Stathakis, condemned the action as “politically inconceivable and abhorrent.” In response, ELPE announced it was terminating its collaboration with the private company. (For more details, click here). The Hellenic Data Protection Authority imposed fines of €20,000 and €10,000 on ELPE for illegal processing of personal data, under Articles 4, 5, and 7 of Law 2472/1997, and for failing to implement appropriate technical and organizational measures under Article 10 of the same law.

In February 2019, an interim report from the Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control of the Chemistry Department identified 55 chemical compounds in 171 air samples collected over six months. Among them were eight mercaptans, the primary cause of the odor. At a related press conference hosted by the Region of Central Macedonia, the study’s lead investigator, Professor Konstantini Samara, not only identified the chemical compounds but also pinpointed the source of the odor, emphasizing that it originated from two specific points within ELPE’s facilities. ELPE, on its part, assured the public that there was no risk to public health. However, Professor Samara noted that while these chemical compounds might not be classified as carcinogenic or toxic, they are potent respiratory irritants and can cause secondary symptoms in the central nervous system, such as insomnia, nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Key findings from the final report by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki follow:

• Based on wind direction and speed, the area where mercaptans originated, near the EDPA station and the 3rd Junior High School, extended from southwest (SW) to west-northwest (WNW) and was close to the sampling locations (wind speed 1-1.5 m/s). Similarly, the origin of mercaptans near the Town Hall was identified as coming from  the west, at a greater distance (wind speed 2.5 m/s).
• At ELPE, all odor-causing compounds were detected that, according to international literature, are typical emissions from refineries. Additionally, the highest concentrations of mercaptans among all industrial activities located to the west-northwest (WNW) of Kordelio were recorded, with their operations being associated with the potential emission of sulfurous volatile organic compounds (VOCs). On both sampling dates, extremely high concentrations of mercaptans were observed, particularly at the sludge dehydration unit and the liquid waste treatment unit. These concentrations were up to 20 times higher than the average concentration recorded at the same time in Kordelio. Given that mercaptans and other odor-causing compounds are volatile and easily transported through the air, these units appear to be potential sources of the odor affecting the urban area of Kordelio—particularly under meteorological conditions favorable for airborne transport. (Page 64, Konstantini Samara’s report)

The report was sent to the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Health, and, of course, to the Prosecutor. Following a meeting between Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy Sokratis Famellos and the President and CEO of Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE), Mr. Efstathios Tsotsoros, ELPE announced measures aimed at further improving the environmental performance of the facility.

Although environmental inspectors had conducted on-site investigations at ELPE facilities and submitted their findings to the prosecutorial authorities, the case, according to a report by Vice, was initially shelved. Following renewed investigations, however, the case was reopened, leading to criminal charges against senior executives of ELPE for causing environmental pollution and degradation. The charges at the criminal level specifically relate to the failure of senior executives to ensure proper oversight and enforcement of environmental regulations and standards by company employees.

Years after the alleged offenses and after multiple postponements, the first trial regarding the odor issue reached the courtroom in December 2022, where the two senior officials accused were acquitted. According to Issak Xanthopoulos, who was the General Secretary of the Municipality of Kordelio during the tenure of Mayor Kleanthis Mandalianos, who testified as a prosecution witness in that trial, the odor problem remained the same, while the projects that Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE) had committed to advancing in 2019 under the leadership of the Ministry of Environment and Energy had not progressed. He also attributed blame for the longstanding problems in the area, emphasizing that “if the authorities did not cover up the problem, they at least did not do what they could have”. In July 2024, the second trial for this case, involving a former president of Hellenic Petroleum, concluded in a higher court. The court acquitted the former ELPE executive, who had initially been convicted for environmental degradation through intentional omissions and had been sentenced to one year in prison with a three-year suspension. According to the court president, regardless of whether malodorous substances were released and whether there were omissions on the part of ELPE (which, as she stated, remained unclear), the defendant was not the one legally responsible for taking the appropriate measures.

“Justice does not seem to have the means or the expertise to handle such major cases, nor does it show respect toward society or responsibility,” stated Stelios Dimitriadis, the lawyer representing the residents and a member of the collective “Breathing is a Right,” in an interview with Alterthess. When asked whether the odor phenomenon persists, he confirmed that it does. It should be noted that another trial regarding the same case is still pending and has been postponed to February 5, 2025.

Our discussion³ with the members of the “Breathing is a Right” Initiative in the following video

Where Do Things Stand Today?

No one really knows if the refinery has taken the necessary measures to prevent the release of odorous substances, despite the issue being raised repeatedly in Parliament through numerous questions, mostly from MPs of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE). Deputy Regional Governor K. Gioutikas, speaking to Alterthess, stated: “Of the measures announced by ELPE, more than half have been completed. However, some remain unfinished. For example, the large lagoons containing sludge have been removed. Improvements have been made to the biological treatment unit, but the work to cover it and eliminate all odors has yet to be completed, since the treatment facility is located right next to the Kordelio area.” He added that new measurements will soon begin, jointly undertaken by the refinery, the Municipality of Kordelio-Evosmos, and the Region of Central Macedonia, to assess which projects have been implemented and how effectively they have reduced the odor.

“More funds are needed from the responsible authorities to carry out additional projects to improve the situation. Technologies and mechanisms exist, and we will insist on their implementation. We are not satisfied with what has been achieved so far. We will be happy only when all the necessary projects are completed so that the odor in the area stops,” Gioutikas emphasized. Regarding compliance with environmental terms approved for the refinery’s operation, he clarified that the responsibility lies with the Ministry of Environment.

While the problem remains unresolved, accountability has become a game of hot potato between the Ministry of Environment, the Municipality, and the Regional Government. New measurements are constantly being announced, along with the formation of new committees. Last April, it was announced that a new measurement system, developed by a Dutch company and funded by ELPE, would be installed. The system will analyze data and submit it to a seven-member committee composed of scientists from the company, the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), the Region of Central Macedonia, and the Municipality of Kordelio-Evosmos.

The system includes 13 “electronic noses” that will detect and record odor-bearing compounds released into the atmosphere. Alongside this, a program will be launched in collaboration with the Region to repeat the measurements previously conducted by AUTH. The program also features a mobile app where citizens can report odor incidents in real time by pressing an ALARM button.

For Marina Samartzidou-Votsi, a member of the “Breathing is a Right” group, the blame lies in systemic failures, as nothing substantial has been done to improve the situation so far. “For all these years, the noses of thousands of residents told them nothing? And now artificial noses will tell them what? And then what?” she asks rhetorically, before providing her own answer:

“Nothing. They just keep taking measurements, doing studies, new ones, next ones. All of this is just a delay. Nothing more. It’s a waste of time. And a gain for ELPE.”

Research and editing: Jason Bantios, Stavroula Poulimeni, Tilemachos Fassoulas

Up next: The FlyOver Expressway: Yet More Support for the Dominance of Cars

The research of the independent media cooperative Alterthess titled “Urbal Resilience, Climate Neutrality: The case of Thessaloniki” was realised with the support of Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung-Office in Greece. Read the complete research here.

1. The interview with Theodosis Kassandros took place in September 2024
2. The interview with Yannis Krestenitis took place in July 2024
3. The interview with Marina Samartzidou Votsi and Alexandra Manolis was conducted in July 2024

Το άρθρο Air Pollution in Thessaloniki: A Problem in Need of Solutions, Not Just More Measurements εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο AlterThess.gr - Όλες οι Ειδήσεις από την άλλη Θεσσαλονίκη.

However, the Seich Sou is under constant threat, made vulnerable by human intervention and neglect. A few years ago, in the summer of 2019, bark beetles devastated over 3,500 trees, with removal efforts proving insufficient to halt the three-year-long period of destruction. The environmental damage was considered the worst setback since a massive fire in 1997 burned 15,000 hectares.

Today, due to climate change and prolonged droughts, protecting the Seich Sou from fires is a pressing issue, yet discussions around fire prevention typically emerge only right before fire season.

This year, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, during an extensive meeting of the new Local Operational Coordination Body for Civil Protection (TESOPP) on May 9, 2024, on the occasion of the start of the new fire protection season, acknowledged that “the suburban forest of Thessaloniki is the primary target we must protect.” At the same time, it highlighted the importance of establishing this new coordination body in light of the unpredictable conditions arising from climate change.

“Enacting legislation that speaks of the decentralization of responsibilities without being accompanied by resources – not only for equipment but also for human personnel – clearly will not yield the desired results,” stated Mayor Stelios Aggeloudis at the time. In his opinion, “where we should place more emphasis, coordinated by the Fire Service of course, is on how we can connect voluntary participation with organized state intervention.”

In addition to the frequent patrols of municipal vehicles, meteorologist and appointed advisor to the Municipality of Thessaloniki, Sakis Arnaoutoglou, announced the installation of meteorological stations around the city, as well as radar systems to detect the direction of storms, which often cause fires. From her perspective, Thessaloniki’s Forestry Director, Filothei Mela, emphasized that a careful fire protection plan has been developed for the Seich Sou forest, including firebreaks, water tanks, and patrols. Nevertheless, as she observed, while the forest protection program is “ongoing,” the Forestry Service of Thessaloniki is facing reduced staffing levels, even as it is burdened with additional responsibilities.

Speaking to Alterthess about the understaffing of the Forestry Service, Ms. Mela noted that three years ago (2021), there were 10 foresters at the Forestry Service, whereas today there are only 4, due to staff retiring without being replaced by new hires. She also raised the issue of the lack of younger personnel capable of handling the demanding conditions required for forestry work.

A month later, in June 2024, during a meeting organized by Kostas Gioulekas, the Deputy Minister of the Interior for Macedonia-Thrace, the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilias, described this year as the most challenging fire protection season in recent years. He also spoke about the country’s equipment with aerial resources, new technologies, and drones, and referenced the AntiNero program, which, as he explained, supports the creation of forest roads and fire protection zones.

The issues concerning forest fire protection and, consequently, Thessaloniki’s resilience to wildfire phenomena revolve around two main axes: firstly, the ecological management of forests, in this case, the suburban Seich Sou forest; and secondly, the personnel tasked with handling all these matters. Furthermore, a fundamental question about who bears what responsibilities is constantly raised in discussions due to the ineffective management of recent years. Despite wildfires burning thousands of hectares of forests across the country, fire suppression responsibilities remain with the Fire Service, which, according to many foresters, lacks both the knowledge and technical capabilities required. At the same time, interest in fire prevention appears to be minimal to nonexistent compared to the focus on suppression. This is evident from the funds allocated and the priorities set at the beginning of each fire season.

Alexandros Dimitrakopoulos, a professor in the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), while speaking¹ to Alterthess, agreed, saying that “the transfer of responsibilities for forest fire suppression from the Forestry Service to the Fire Service in 1998 proved to be unsuccessful.” According to Dimitrakopoulos, this conclusion is hard to dispute when one looks at the statistics on forest fires. “That is, both the number of fires and, more importantly, the annual burned areas, not only did not decrease but, on the contrary, increased. Therefore, the shift in responsibilities brought no substantial results in addressing forest fires.”

Dimitrakopoulos believes that there is a clear imbalance in the allocation of resources between prevention and suppression. “The government has decided to heavily reinforce suppression, spending large sums on purchasing expensive forest firefighting equipment and hiring personnel for fire suppression, yet with no results. This may be due to several reasons. The first and most obvious is that the equipment and fire protection plans used in firefighting operations are not effective. Simply put, we are not putting out the fires properly.”

The second reason, which is strongly supported among foresters and forest technicians, is that a fire is better dealt with in a forest that has been previously managed, so that the fire does not burn intensely and is not difficult to combat. This argument is understandable, but it remains to be proven and is much harder to implement by a service (the Forestry Service) that has been stripped of its personnel. It has been significantly reduced in size and now plays a very limited role compared to the one it used to have in terms of forest management and cultivation. This, of course, is due to political decisions that have resulted in the reduction of forestry personnel currently working in Greece at all levels, in both scientific and non-scientific roles.”

Listen to the podcast with Al. Dimitrakopoulos: “Seich Sou as a Measure and Precondition of the Resilience of Thessaloniki”

Speaking about the issue of forest protection, we reached out to Michalis Tremopoulos, head of the municipal group Ecology-Solidarity. He identifies significant inaction regarding the protection of the Seich Sou by all three municipalities surrounding it. “The responsible municipalities (Thessaloniki, Neapoli-Sykies, Pylaia-Chortiatis) remain inactive, using the excuse that the forest protection funds they receive are meager, while failing to take any initiative to demand more,” he stated, pointing out that Ecology-Solidarity has publicly raised questions about the budget municipalities receive for fire protection, the fire prevention measures they implement for the Seich Sou, the available personnel involved, the initiatives they plan to propose to the central administration, the forms of collaboration  they have developed with the Forestry Service, and the chaotic division of responsibilities regarding the Seich Sou.

The group argues that it is crucial to establish a clear fire protection program and update it across all three neighboring municipalities, as conditions have drastically changed due to the worsening climate crisis. 

Regarding the consultation with city stakeholders for the presentation of the Local Coordination Body for Civil Protection (TESOPP), Tremopoulos believes that the discussion focused on addressing symptoms rather than causes. “We call for support of civil society, the volunteer groups active in the forest, and environmental organizations, while sidelining undemocratic practices at both the local and central levels and promoting democratic participation of citizens,” he reported.

AntiNero, a Controversial Forest Protection Program

Aiming to prevent large-scale fires this year, the government, in collaboration with the agencies and bodies under its control, announced the AntiNero III program (the third phase of its implementation, funded by the Recovery Fund) and proceeded with contractor consortia to cut down trees in forests, forested areas, water channels, and military zones across the country. While AntiNero is promoted as the most effective tool for forest fire prevention, naysayers accuse the government of ecological degradation and destruction of forests, while also highlighting the ineffectiveness of such measures in preventing forest fires.

Specifically for Thessaloniki, where the Zervas mayoral administration had recently authorized the removal of thousands of trees, the measures included in the AntiNero program seem to undermine the goal of maintaining a minimum percentage of green spaces in the city.

As highlighted by expert scientists during a related event organized by the Chamber of Environment and Sustainability, specifically by Sofia Pavlaki, lawyer and member of the Scientific Council of the Chamber, the program leads to ecological degradation and the destruction of forest ecosystems, without proving capable of preventing even the very forest fires it ambitiously aims to address. It was further noted that the program should be subjected to a stricter framework of environmental scrutiny and evaluation, through the application of the environmental assessment procedures stipulated by Directive 42/2001 and Joint Ministerial Decision 107017/2006 (FEK B’ 1225). These regulations apply to all programs with significant environmental impacts that affect the entirety of the country’s forested areas, are co-funded by the European Union, and require approval by a designated public authority. According to the Chamber, the implementation of AntiNero cannot rely solely on a simple forest management study approved by local Forestry Offices, which is typically sufficient for small-scale forestry projects or routine forest maintenance activities. Instead, a more rigorous Strategic Environmental Assessment process is necessary, along with a prior determination of the appropriate evaluation of conservation objectives, particularly if AntiNero is to be applied to forests that are also designated as protected habitats.

“Trees have become the new enemy of the state because the government is unable to manage the climate crisis and exacerbates the damage through anti-forest and other policies,” notes M. Tremopoulos on the issue. He cites the example of the Dadia forest fire in 2023, where there were 350 kilometers of firebreaks and many kilometers of forest roads, yet the destruction was immense. 

Furthermore, measures such as water channel alignment and cleaning – rather than respecting and planting trees in the watershed – amplify the force of the water and its destructive consequences, in Tremopoulos’ opinion. “Climate collapse is changing the nature of wildfires and the conditions under which they occur (drought, heatwaves, etc.), increasing their intensity and duration. The country needs a new strategy that encourages ecological forest management, the development of professions that contribute to forest protection, staffing of the Forestry Service, and abandoning the doctrine of ‘protecting people and buildings while letting fires spread into forests’”.

According to M. Tremopoulos, the strategic goal must be the preservation of biodiversity, ensuring forest regeneration, cultivating water sources, reforestation for flood protection, constructing and maintaining watchtowers, refueling reservoirs for firefighting vehicles, and developing specialized plans, among other measures.

The Forest is a Complete Ecosystem, Not a Park

Beyond the contributions of forestry experts, the voice of grassroots movements and associations has been crucial in protecting the Seich Sou, as they have provided significant support through their active presence and initiatives over the years. One such association is the Thessaloniki Health Runners’ Club (THRC), which has mobilized numerous times for this cause. Speaking to Alterthess², Dimitris Lamprinidis, president of THRC, shared:

“Over the years, we’ve organized cleanup activities in the Seich Sou – a beautiful yet neglected space – working in collaboration with civil protection agencies, volunteers, students, young people from KETHEA, and engaged citizens. For us, running in the forest is an escape, a form of exploration, and a way to discover new and old trails.” Through their philanthropic race SYZATHLO and other activities, they bring new visitors to the forest, both young and old, helping them develop a love and a sense of responsibility for its protection.

Lamprinidis describes a forest that has endured numerous challenges, including encroachments and violations from developers. In the past, small fires broke out but were fortunately extinguished in time. “We face a lot of trash and debris because there are many uncontrolled access points to the forest. We also have enduro motorcycles, which damage and often destroy the trails. And let’s not forget the bark beetle infestation that destroyed tens of thousands of trees over 3–4 years. It wasn’t managed properly in its early stages, resulting in significant forest damage. Thankfully, the forest is now recovering.”

Mr. Lamprinidis, reflecting on his extensive runs through the forest, observes that “The AntiNero program has destroyed a large part of the forest. Vast areas have been cleared, healthy trees have been cut down, and the destruction continues to this day. What we now face is a deforested landscape, an unrecognizable Seich Sou, and now this is being compounded by the damage caused by the FlyOver project.”

Listen to the podcast with D. Lamprinidis “Seich Sou Health as a Road of Endurance”

The Ministry of Environment initiated this program as a pilot in 2022, starting in Thessaloniki by cutting down trees around the perimeter of the Seich Sou. Local associations and residents protested, claiming that these were healthy trees. “This sparked protests from residents because the forest was reduced. Alongside The Committee for the Protection of the Seich Sou, we filed an appeal with the state council,” Lamprinidis explains. At the time, the project focused on clearing the forest’s perimeter, while last summer, clearing activities were extended into the forest.

A fundamental issue arising from the implementation of AntiNero, as the runner points out, is that for years the responsible authorities have treated the Seich Sou as a park rather than as a complete ecosystem. While the Thessaloniki Forestry Office asserts that it is implementing the program for a third year and that forest management rules are being carefully followed, Lamprinidis views this approach as fundamentally flawed. “It’s a mindset that leads to exploiting the forest rather than encouraging residents to connect with it, to discover their natural environment, and to learn how to protect it,” he concludes.

Research and editing: Jason Bantios, Stavroula Poulimeni, Tilemachos Fassoulas

Up next: Air Pollution in Thessaloniki: A Problem in Need of Solutions, Not Just More Measurements

The research of the independent media cooperative Alterthess titled “Urbal Resilience, Climate Neutrality: The case of Thessaloniki” was realised with the support of Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung-Office in Greece. Read the complete research here.

1. The interview with Alexandros Dimitrakopoulos took place in October 2024
2. The interview with Dimitris Lamprinidis took place in September 2024

Το άρθρο The Troubled Seich Sou: Fire Protection Without Protectors εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο AlterThess.gr - Όλες οι Ειδήσεις από την άλλη Θεσσαλονίκη.

The images of flooded areas in Valencia, Thessaly, Mandra, and elsewhere that we’ve all seen on the news, understandably raise concerns for citizens about whether their city or village can endure such events. At the same time, these increasingly common phenomena should urge the central government and local authorities into taking action before it is too late, which is what happens all too often.

As part of our journalistic research, we examine Thessaloniki’s flood protection preparedness. While responsibilities, such as cleaning water channels, are often shuffled between authorities during crises, it is clear that the Region of Central Macedonia holds a central role in Thessaloniki’s flood defense. The recently approved Regional Climate Change Adaptation Plan (RCCAP) clearly outlines this responsibility. However, the question remains: how effectively is this plan being implemented to safeguard the city from flooding?

As stated to Alterthess by Cristina Macnea ((The interview with Cristina Macnea took place in July 2024)) a chemical engineer with a postgraduate degree in Environmental Infrastructure Project Design and an employee of the Region of Central Macedonia (RCM), the Region plays a pivotal role in addressing and adapting to climate change. The Region is responsible for drafting the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Plan, which includes actions aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change, reducing air pollution, promoting sustainable development, and more. In Central Macedonia, the RCCAP was approved in November 2022, but since then, almost none of the projects it includes have been implemented.

According to Ms. Macnea, the Region is addressing the issue of cleaning water channels incorrectly,  with piecemeal efforts rather than comprehensive ones. Beyond the delays in implementing the RCCAP due to bureaucracy and lack of funding, Ms. Maknea points out that many Regions and Municipalities treat these tasks as service provisions rather than technical projects. She emphasizes that the Region bears ultimate responsibility for water channel management, and therefore, in the event of a flood, it should be accountable for any mistakes and omissions that may become evident.

A different anti-flood planning approach for Thessaloniki and the Region of Central Macedonia, prioritizing mountain water management works, and prioritizing upstream hydrological works to control flood waves while they are still forming in higher altitudes, is emphasized¹ by Professor Yiannis Mylopoulos of the Faculty of Engineering at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh). Mylopoulos also heads the regional political faction “Change in the Region of Central Macedonia” and is a former dean of AUTh. “It’s not just that the water quantities have significantly increased due to heavy flood runoffs occurring in short time frames; it’s also the overall perception of flood protection. Where we once fortified vulnerable systems, water and runoff channels, we now need to secure the entire hydrological basin from the highlands down to the lowlands,” he points out.

“Water channels in the Region of Central Macedonia (RCM) overall, and in Thessaloniki in particular, are completely unprotected, because the outdated approach of localized projects, which progress slowly, receive minimal funding, and often serve political rather than environmental interests,” notes Mr. Mylopoulos. “In other words, projects are implemented in areas where mayors and stakeholders are favorable to interests of the regional government,” he emphasizes. He further describes the Regional Flood Risk Management Plan (RFRMP) as a vague document that outlines certain principles without providing any specific details.

In the past, there has often been, intentional or not, confusion about who is responsible for cleaning water channels, drains, and sewers to ensure that water volumes can be discharged without flooding streets, shops, and homes. The Thessaloniki Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYATH S.A.) officially clarified on September 20, 2019, that “the company’s primary responsibility is the operation and maintenance of Thessaloniki’s combined sewer system (which drains both stormwater and wastewater together).” At the same time, it emphasized that “outside EYATH’s jurisdiction, but of critical importance for Thessaloniki’s flood protection is the systematic cleaning of the city’s open water channels, the large closed conduits that the channels drain into, and the cleaning of major roadways.” It further pointed out that these responsibilities largely fall to the regional government and, in some cases, municipalities.

Many scientists and public officials involved in flood protection emphasize the need for soil and green spaces to absorb large volumes of water. In Thessaloniki, such spaces are scarce because for decades cement has been considered more clean and modern than natural soil. Experts recommend breaking up the concrete and replacing it with soil, which can quickly absorb water during critical moments. Undeveloped municipal spaces that are used as car parking areas should be left unpaved, providing a solution for water runoff in the city’s densely built neighborhoods.

In many areas where natural streams once flowed that were later covered, channeled, or buried underground, flood problems persist to this day. A well-known example is Ethnikis Aminis Street, which turns into a river every time there is heavy rainfall, as well as the water runoff through the Exhibition area, which used to pass where the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art now stands. This serves as a testament to the saying that “water remembers” the paths it once took. When it comes in large volumes, no human intervention can stop it—unless there is a radical and immediate response from the regional government and the municipalities. Beyond sporadic cleaning efforts,  decisive action must include reopening old water channels, demolishing illegal structures that block water flow to the sea, etc. Only through such decisive actions will Thessaloniki be able to manage flood events like Valencia’s with minimal loss of life and disruption to the city.

Research and editing: Jason Bantios, Stavroula Poulimeni, Tilemachos Fassoulas

Up next: The Troubled Seich Sou: Fire Protection Without Protectors

The research of the independent media cooperative Alterthess titled “Urbal Resilience, Climate Neutrality: The case of Thessaloniki” was realised with the support of Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung-Office in Greece. Read the complete research here.

1. The interview with Yannis Mylopoulos took place in June 2024

Το άρθρο Is Thessaloniki at Risk of Becoming Valencia? εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο AlterThess.gr - Όλες οι Ειδήσεις από την άλλη Θεσσαλονίκη.

What is it like to live in a city with a polluted atmosphere? What is it like to walk down the street and not be able to feel even a wisp of cool breeze? How is it that every time it rains, flooding is attributed to extreme weather events? How much danger are we in from the effects of climate change? Should we adapt to these changes, or should we address their causes? By asking more such questions, and taking into account that the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation always affect the poorest, socially marginalized, and most vulnerable people, we began a research project on resilience and climate neutrality in the city of Thessaloniki.

In recent years, European governments have emphatically included the concepts of climate neutrality and urban resilience in their agendas, as goals for the adaptation of cities and human activity to combat climate change. Thessaloniki has been one of the cities included in the Network of 100 Resilient Cities since 2016, with the simultaneous establishment of an Urban Resilience Office. Additionally, since April 2022, it has been selected for the Climate Neutrality Network with a target of 2030. Participation in these networks entails a series of strategies and measures that must be implemented to address climate change and mitigate its impacts.

But what are climate neutrality and urban resilience? Are they solutions for our survival in the face of the climate crisis, or are they merely terms of wishful thinking from European governments and elites? Do they take into account the classist nature of environmental protection and the conflicts that may arise when at odds with the interests of development advocates? How are these reflected in the complex urban environment of a city?

Most importantly, however, we aim to connect the above with academic knowledge, journalistic research, citizens’ experiences, and the issues raised by environmental movements and local collectives. It is definitely not feasible to address all the environmental issues affecting Thessaloniki, so we focus on seven key areas that we consider to be at the heart of the collective right of residents in a city where the environment and environmental interventions can ensure the protection of human life, public health, and social justice.

In the journalistic investigation of the independent publishing cooperative Alterthess, we first examine the very concepts themselves and their ideological and political implications. We then attempt, through documentation and investigation of the most serious environmental issues facing the greater urban area of Thessaloniki, to determine whether the policies being implemented align with the strategic directions set by the relevant authorities to address the new climate challenges.

2. Resilience: Endless Adaptation as a Necessary Evil?

Two of the concepts that have gained significant attention in recent years in both public discourse and the formulation of official strategies to address the impacts of the climate crisis are urban resilience and climate neutrality.

The concept of urban resilience, which originated as a term in the field of psychology, was then introduced by C.S. Holling to the field of ecology. It was defined as the amount of disruption an ecosystem can absorb without switching to an alternative stable state. Other theorists define resilience as the time it takes for a system to return to a stable state after a disruption.

Decades have passed since the term was introduced to the literature, and since then, multiple meanings of the concept have emerged, leading to various policy action plans. According to Alkistis Prepi, an architect and urban planner and Ph.D. recipient from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) (her doctoral dissertation, Resilience and Development Planning: The Governance of Adaptation in the 21st Century may be read here),
who spoke to Alterthess, even today “some researchers are trying to find a more radical alternative for the term resilience, aiming at an alternative that might provide a better offensive position in the future. What we need to understand, however, is that the adaptations supported by the concept of resilience, and the adaptations being researched by those trying to provide radical questions and answers, are actually two separate conceptual systems. One is a passive adaptation to external pressures, and the other is a dialectical adaptation that recognizes the possibility of changing the world around us and changing ourselves in the process. However, according to Prepi, despite the search for more radical conceptualizations of resilience, “this specific term produces specific policies and is now a central tool in the dominant narrative and the prevailing development proposals, in the same way as it was introduced by Holling”.

One of the action plans that reflects the search for practical applications of urban resilience is the creation of the “Resilient Cities Network” by the Rockefeller Foundation. This initiative focuses on the ability of residents, communities, structures, and institutions in a city to effectively face and adapt to chronic or sudden pressures, disasters, or crises, and to recover promptly from their consequences without altering the basic functions of the system. While the crises described here mainly refer to natural disasters and climate change, the goals of urban resilience also include large-scale migration and refugee flows and emergency situations such as economic crises, terrorism, cybercrime, etc.

The program, which was initially created with a financial commitment of $100 million from the Rockefeller Foundation, aimed to create a global network of cities allowing for the exchange of experiences and expertise in dealing with these challenges, in accordance with the specific needs and deficits of each city. “Members of the 100 Resilient Cities Network are leading globally, proving that not only is it possible to build urban resilience in every type of city, but it is imperative”, stated Dr. Judith Rodin, president of the Rockefeller Foundation.

After Athens joined the Network in 2014, in March 2016, the then Mayor of Thessaloniki, Giannis Boutaris, announced the establishment of the Urban Resilience Office as part of Thessaloniki’s inclusion in the program.

As Stella Psaropoulou, the Director of the Urban Resilience Office of the Municipality of Thessaloniki, explains to Alterthess, the city’s inclusion in the Network “was achieved through a competitive process, with funding from 2016 to 2019 to form a team, which then evolved and was integrated as an office within the Municipality of Thessaloniki’s services. This provided the opportunity and the tools, as well as for collaboration with global organizations such as the World Bank, to create a roadmap – the resilience strategy – which was drafted in 2017 with a timeframe extending to 2030 (‘Thessaloniki 2020-2030’)”. According to Psaropoulou, “what makes the tools provided unique is the extensive participatory planning, as it was the first time that stakeholders, community groups, and private individuals sat at the same table and collectively shared a common vision. They identified and mapped the challenges that Thessaloniki faces and will face, as well as how the city will develop considering all these challenges”.

Closely linked to the concept of resilience is that of climate neutrality. Climate neutrality is defined as achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions (such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, and others) by offsetting or balancing these emissions through natural carbon absorption (via natural carbon sinks like forests, oceans, soil, etc.). This is essential, because it has been proven that no artificial method of carbon capture and storage is sufficient to effectively combat the adverse impacts of the climate crisis. In 2019, the European Climate Law was adopted, which also set a binding EU target for a net domestic reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and the achievement of climate neutrality by 2050. Among other things, it emphasizes that ecosystem restoration will contribute to maintaining, managing, and enhancing natural carbon sinks while promoting biodiversity and helping to combat climate change.

Intermediate climate goals have been set for 2030 and 2040 as follows: a reduction in net anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and 80% by 2040 compared to 1990 levels. Achieving these goals takes into account the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP).

Strategies formulated at the central (European) level are disseminated to national governments (the National Climate Law was passed in 2022 – Law 4936/2022) and subsequently to local governmental organizations (municipalities and regions). These entities are beginning to grapple with new concepts such as resilience and climate neutrality, as well as the obligation to develop related policy plans.

For the municipalities of Thessaloniki and the region of Central Macedonia, a key challenge lies in smoothly and effectively integrating these concepts into their organizational structures and clarifying the roles and responsibilities of their departments and staff in shaping relevant strategies.

In 2019, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, along with 99 other cities, signed the Climate Pact, committing them to support its implementation, the maturation of infrastructure projects, and the exploration of appropriate financing mechanisms and tools. The sectors involved in working toward a climate-neutral Thessaloniki include transportation and logistics, solid waste management, land use and environmental management, and innovative smart city and governance solutions. Notably, as outlined in a related announcement, in order to reduce emissions, the Municipality of Thessaloniki will proceed with extensive installation of renewable energy sources in public spaces and buildings, alongside plans for the renovation and upgrading of its building stock. The strategy also includes promoting alternative forms of mobility, enhancing micro-mobility, and encouraging greater use of public transportation.

Parallel interventions are being planned to enhance urban green spaces. These include planting trees and replacing low vegetation with taller greenery, with the aim of reducing surface and atmospheric temperatures, preventing urban heat islands, absorbing noise, and protecting biodiversity. Regarding waste management, in collaboration with FODSA (the Solid Waste Management Agency), composting facilities will be created, and the recycling sector will be strengthened. Through the implementation of the Climate Neutrality Action Plan, the Municipality of Thessaloniki aims to achieve an 80% reduction in emissions by 2030.

The Climate Pact was co-signed by the Municipality of Thessaloniki, the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Ministry of the Interior – Macedonia-Thrace Sector, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), University of Macedonia (UoM), CERTH, International Hellenic University (IHU), HEDNO S.A., the Center for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving (CRES), EYATH S.A., FODSA, OASTH S.A., HELEXPO S.A., MATh S.A., TEE/TKM, the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI), the Hellenic Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen & Merchants (GSEVEE), the Federation of Industries of Greece, the Thessaloniki Traders Association, and the Thessaloniki Hotel Association.

Similarly, the Region of Central Macedonia has developed a strategy through its Regional Climate Adaptation Plan (RCAP), which primarily aims to reduce the region’s vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and to strengthen its resilience against it.

However, discussions about resilience and the gradual transition to climate neutrality appear to have gaps. Resilience tools often focus mainly on adaptation and less on mitigating impacts, let alone addressing the root causes of the problem. As long as these root causes persist, their effects will continue to impact people, cities, and systems, which will constantly need to adapt.

In the words of Alkistis Prepi, “networking is often not truly a vehicle for addressing the causes of climate change, because tools like resilience do not address the causes, but always the consequences”.

“So far, any resilience plans that have been developed have not had any substantial material impact. From the beginning, this was not a program that would produce a tangible material outcome, such as a bridge or a dam. It was always a program that would provide some guidance and offer know-how on these issues. So, in essence, we cannot say that anything has been implemented as a project that can be evaluated as such”, Prepi stated in an interview with Alterthess.

Stella Psaropoulou confirms the non-binding nature of the plans being developed regarding resilience and climate neutrality, emphasizing that “Decisions made by a municipality’s office cannot be binding. The municipality produces an operational and strategic planthat is not created behind closed doors, it is not made by one organization, nor is it based on a completed legislative framework. Instead, it allows the city to involve itself in addressing the basic needs it may have.” These issues, as Psaropoulou states, arise from the needs of organizations, entrepreneurs, economic sectors, civil society, and even the school community, which may differ. “All of this should be incorporated into the operational and strategic plan of the city. Therefore, it is not binding, but rather about working collectively, and we should react and learn to work in the same way – this is the essence of resilience”.

As part of our research, beyond any contradictions, gaps, or imperfections these strategies may have, we explore the issue of resilience and climate neutrality by setting up a hypothetical axis. What should have already been completed? What results have the Strategic Studies produced? And finally What is being planned that contradicts the agreed upon directions?

3. What the Region of Central Macedonia and the Municipality of Thessaloniki Are Doing and Not Doing About the Climate Crisis

Addressing the climate crisis and its effects involves all institutional and governmental entities, from the national government to the local community of each region.

In Greece, the central government approaches the climate crisis as it does other crises: by slapping on a band-aid, that is with reactive measures when the crisis is already ongoing, rather than proactive strategies. For example, the use of the Unified Emergency Number 112 exemplifies the state’s crisis-management mentality and foreshadows how it will deal with climate crises. During severe weather events like wildfires or floods, the government primarily sends SMS alerts via 112, advising citizens to evacuate or seek safe areas.

Beyond issuing alerts and convening meetings with the media present, the central government funds local government flood protection projects. Many scientists, as well as opposition parties, have already criticized the fact that the significant resources of the Recovery Fund did not include substantial funding for projects addressing the climate crisis. 

Given this context, coupled with the chronic underfunding of local governments since the austerity years, it’s important to examine the actions of the Region of Central Macedonia (RCM) and the Municipality of Thessaloniki regarding climate crisis mitigation.

The Region of Central Macedonia (RCM), has adopted a Regional Climate Change Adaptation Plan (RCCAP). However, implementation has yet to begin, hindered by funding shortages and the need for coordination with other public and private entities has been stressed. On the other hand, as people familiar with the plan have commented to Alterthess, it is a rather vague document that does not commit the Regional Administration to specific actions.

RCM officials, like Thessaloniki’s Vice Governor Kostas Gioutikas, acknowledge limited funding tools, with EU structural funds (ESPA) as the main resource, which falls short of the needs for large-scale infrastructure. Despite challenges, the RCM has carried out local stream cleanings in areas like Scholari, Melissourgos, and Arethousa.

As the Deputy Regional Governor of Thessaloniki, Kostas Gioutikas, states to Alterthess, “The NSRF is the only funding tool available to the Region of Central Macedonia, but it is not sufficient for the truly large-scale infrastructure projects that the city of Thessaloniki particularly needs.” According to Mr. Gioutikas, despite the lack of adequate resources, the Region has managed to clean streams in the broader area, such as the streams of Scholari, Melissourgos, Apollonia, the eastern regional ditch, Arethousa, and others.

At the same time, the administration of the Region of Central Macedonia (RCM), which is friendly toward the government, supports projects and decisions that in no way align with the principles of adapting to climate change. The support of Tzitzikostas’ administration for the construction of the elevated expressway (FlyOver), which will lead to an increase in the use of private vehicles, hardly seems like a choice aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Similarly, the support from the regional administration and the Municipality of Thessaloniki for the decision to keep the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) in the city center appears to disregard the pressing need to increase green spaces within the urban fabric, which are essential for lowering high temperatures and absorbing large volumes of water in the event of flooding. 

For its part, the Municipality of Thessaloniki has its own Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan, which takes into account the needs of adapting to the climate crisis by reducing the use of private cars and increasing the use of public transportation, bicycles, and more. At the same time, the Municipality of Thessaloniki is participating in the Network of 100 Resilient Cities, which provides municipalities with expertise and documentation on how a city can become resilient to crises such as the climate crisis.

However, the documents and the Municipality’s participation in such Networks do not bind the current municipal administration to follow policies that lead to climate neutrality and urban resilience. For instance, while the Municipality may sign agreements to reduce private car use, it might simultaneously create new parking spaces throughout the city, resulting in outcomes contrary to the desired goals.

At the same time, the significant bureaucracy and slow pace of implementing public projects do not support the creation of a climate-neutral and resilient city. The projects currently being executed or set to begin soon were designed a decade ago by a different municipal administration, at a time when addressing the climate crisis was not a priority. As a result, even if a mayor or deputy mayor wishes to pursue projects aligned with the standards for a resilient city, they simply cannot. They either have to attempt minor improvements to projects planned years ago or design new projects and studies, which will likely be implemented by another administration in about ten years. However, in ten years, it will be too late, as the pace at which the climate crisis intensifies each year is exceptionally rapid. 

Speaking to Alterthess, Thessaloniki’s Deputy Mayor for Technical Works, Environment, and Sustainable Mobility, Prodromos Nikiforidis, acknowledged that the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) is a very ambitious project. However, as he stated, its implementation requires additional approvals, studies, and funding. Mr. Nikiforidis also referred to a tendency toward exaggeration, which does not lead to realistic and actionable measures. He distanced himself from the construction of the FlyOver expressway project, noting that “we are prisoners of a construction site that channels all cars into the city center.”

Andreas Karadakis, from the Independent Department of Operational Planning and Monitoring of Development Programs at the Municipality of Thessaloniki, highlighted to Alterthess the operational challenges the Municipality faces in implementing plans for the city’s adaptation to the climate crisis. As he pointed out, municipalities have consistently had access to funding tools over time. However, it is the municipal administrations that must have the political will to follow through with the plans for urban resilience and climate neutrality and integrate them into the Technical Programs developed annually.

4. The Environmental Challenges of Thessaloniki

The environmental condition of Thessaloniki has significant impact, strongly affecting the daily lives of its citizens, particularly the most vulnerable.

In our effort to outline this situation, we chose to base our journalistic investigation on seven key areas. These areas, in our view, reflect the most pressing environmental problems facing the city today, which require appropriate and, above all, timely action to “fortify” it against the climate crisis.

More specifically, we decided to focus on the following:

• Is Thessaloniki at Risk of Becoming Valencia?

One of the major challenges faced by the responsible authorities and residents of Thessaloniki is the periodic heavy and intense rainfall, which causes the well-known flooding issues in the city center.

With memories of last year’s experience with Storm Daniel in the region of Thessaly, and the fresh images of the devastating floods in Valencia still vivid, the need for action and serious flood prevention planning has become imperative.

• The Troubled Seich Sou: Fire protection without protectors

In recent summers, our country has experienced severe wildfires that burn and destroy thousands of acres of forest, occurring both before and after the so-called fire season.

Given this, along with the fact that the suburban forest of Seich Sou is the most important green lung of Thessaloniki, its protection should undoubtedly be a top priority on the agenda of the responsible authorities.

• Air Pollution in Thessaloniki: A Problem in Need of Solutions, Not Just More Measurements

Last year’s condemnation of our country by the European Court for exceeding the limit values of PM10 particulate matter (which, notably, has significant impacts on human health) in Thessaloniki loudly sounded the alarm about the chronic deterioration of the city’s air quality. Or did it?

The suspended particles (along with other pollutants) and the acute, long standing issue of odor in the western parts of the city (Evosmos-Kordelio) compel us to investigate the causes of air pollution, as well as the measures that have (or have not) been taken to address the problem.

• The Flyover expressway: Yet More Support for the Dominance of Cars

Drastic reduction in private car use, coupled with more modern and safe public transportation options, pedestrian pathways, and extensive cycling networks are among the key pillars of a city’s adaptation to the climate crisis. 

However, the massive delays in completing the main Metro line, the chronic neglect of urban buses, and the construction of the Flyover expressway create a scenario that seems more likely to worsen rather than improve the well-documented traffic issue (not to mention the daily lives of the city’s residents).

• Waterways and Wetlands: Their Preservation as a Prerequisite for Improving Our Lives

If the goal is resilience, the protection of a city’s wetlands and waterways must undoubtedly be a priority. In Thessaloniki, however, many of these areas have been significantly degraded or destroyed due to urban expansion and human activity.

• ThessINTEC: The End of a Wetland in the Name of “Innovation”

The Tsairia wetlands in the Peraia marsh, the Kalohori wetland, and numerous water courses in the city come under the microscope in our research to determine if, and to what extent, resilience plans are being followed and implemented.

• Thermaikos Gulf: A Precious Ecosystem at Risk

The Thermaikos Gulf is an extremely important wetland system for the city of Thessaloniki and the quality of life of its residents.

However, the significant rise in water temperatures due to the climate crisis, combined with pollution from urban wastewater, agricultural runoff, and industrial activities in the area, has long been sounding the alarm about the gulf’s condition.

What plans, then, are in place to protect this vital ecosystem, and how are they linked to the city’s inclusion in the Network of 100 Resilient Cities?

• The Missed Opportunities for More Green Space in Thessaloniki

With just 2 square meters of green space per resident, Thessaloniki falls far short of the minimum threshold of 8-10 square meters set by the World Health Organization for the sustainability of modern cities.

This glaring lack of green space, combined with excessively dense construction, significantly contributes to the urban heat island effect and the high temperatures in the city center, especially during the summer months. 

And yet, the plans being devised by the authorities seem to pay little attention to the needs of the residents of modern cities.

Credits

Research and editing: Jason Bantios, Stavroula Poulimeni, Tilemachos Fassoulas

Video: Theofilos Kalaitzidis

Sound recording – graphics: Menelaos Exioglou

Photos: Aphrodite Michaelidou

English Translation: Phoebe Holland

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