Cooling Havens Athens
Water as a Central Resource for a Sustainable City
Athens faces significant climate challenges: extreme heatwaves and sudden flash floods are placing increasing strain on the city. With over 80% of surfaces sealed, there is a lack of water-sensitive design strategies that could help regulate temperatures and reduce flooding risks. The project Cooling Havens: Water-Powered Neighborhood Cooling and Engagement Stations aims to reintroduce water into the urban landscape as a natural cooling element and a shared community resource.
Task
Development of innovative measures for sustainable water use and the integration of water as a cooling agent in urban landscapes
Location
Athens, Greece
Services
Open space planning, landscape design
Partner
European Urban Initiative
Two Locations, One Vision
At two key sites – Nireas Plaza and Lakonias Plaza – water-based urban interventions are being created to support natural cooling and improve long-term quality of life.
Nireas Plaza will be transformed into a green, park-like oasis where strategic planting enhances the microclimate and contributes to a healthier urban environment.
Lakonias Plaza will become an urban zone along a key stormwater corridor, where water is reintroduced as a visible, activating element in public space.
Blue-Green Infrastructure and Innovative Water Management
By implementing blue-green infrastructure at the neighborhood scale, the project reduces local temperatures, mitigates flooding, and supports ecological sustainability. A range of innovative water-harvesting and management techniques are applied, including:
Rain gardens
Water parks with wastewater treatment
Green bioswales for infiltration
These strategies transform underutilized spaces into vibrant community environments.
Participation and Education: The Athens Water School
Beyond physical interventions, Cooling Havens emphasizes education and community engagement to build awareness of water-sensitive urban design. The Athens Water School and the Digital Lab for Water Memories offer interactive workshops and storytelling formats that explore water’s cultural significance and ecological importance.
Two training programs target distinct audiences:
Capacity building for vulnerable groups to support their employment in maintenance roles
Professional development for municipal decision-makers focused on management and upscaling strategies
Open Data and Resilient Urban Planning
The project is complemented by the Open Data Public Lab, which provides real-time data to support informed decision-making. The overarching goal is to establish a resilient and sustainable urban network that enables Athens to meet its climate challenges head-on and to institutionalize water-sensitive urban planning.
Harmonizing City and Nature
Cooling Havens demonstrates the deep interconnection between city and nature. In the face of climate change, it is essential to challenge outdated systems and embrace innovative, nature-based solutions.
How can water become a central element of urban planning? What role do green spaces play in shaping the cities of tomorrow? These questions are at the heart of the future development of Cooling Havens Athens.
Image credits
All images © ensphere