The Ellinikon project—the largest urban regeneration initiative currently underway in Europe, led by LAMDA Development—is no longer defined solely by the scale of the investment, project timelines, or infrastructure development.
Gradually, as the company notes, a less prominently highlighted dimension is also emerging: its role as a platform for experiential learning and social value creation. Within this framework, The Ellinikon Experience Park and the Experience Centre welcome organized school groups from all levels of education, ranging from kindergarten to upper secondary school. According to the Park’s official educational guide, the objective of these visits is to familiarize students with concepts such as sustainability, the environment, history, and technology through hands-on activities rather than purely theoretical learning models.
Structured learning beyond the classroom
The educational visits have been designed within a clearly defined pedagogical framework. Activities are conducted in groups of up to 25 students, follow a predetermined duration, and are delivered by specially trained staff. The underlying philosophy extends beyond simple site tours, placing emphasis on active student participation. Currently, three main thematic strands are offered to school groups.
The “Anthologio” programme, primarily aimed at kindergarten and primary school students, focuses on introducing Mediterranean plants, scents, and textures, using sensory experience as a core learning tool. The programme “Flight to the Future: A Journey to a Sustainable Planet,” designed for primary school students, introduces concepts such as recycling, material reuse, and the principles of sustainable development through everyday examples. With a duration of up to ninety minutes, the programme allows ample time for dialogue and interaction. The third strand consists of educational guided tours for students from primary to upper secondary level, focusing on the history of the former airport, its successive uses, and its ongoing transformation into a new urban destination.
Sustainability constitutes the central concept underpinning all activities, reflecting a key pillar of the project’s overall design. Resource efficiency, material reuse, and the enhancement of green spaces are not presented merely as technical solutions, but as lived experiences that students encounter directly on site. At the same time, thematic areas such as nature, history, sports, and technology demonstrate how contemporary urban development can integrate multiple functions—an element that is critical to the long-term sustainability of large-scale investments.
The Experience Centre
Of particular significance is the Experience Centre, housed in one of the historic hangars of the former airport. Through interactive exhibits, students gain insight into the planning and implementation of a major urban development project, developing an understanding of how urban planning, technology, and environmental considerations are interconnected with everyday life. At a time when ESG criteria and the social impact of investments are gaining increasing importance, the use of Ellinikon as an educational platform highlights an additional dimension of the project. While not at the forefront of public discourse, this dimension strengthens the overall perception of the investment as a long-term urban transformation with tangible social value.