The two sustainable urban development projects concern Serres and Litochoro in Pieria and are financed by European resources of the Central Macedonia Region with a total budget of 3.1 million euros.
In detail, the approved projects are as follows
SERRES
"Urban Revitalization Projects (PHASE II) of OCHE-BAA Serres"
The redevelopment concerns an area with a total area of 225,000.00 sq.m. (22.5 hectares).
The works will start in June 2025 and be completed in December 2026.
The aim is the environmental upgrade of common areas (sidewalks) on sections of roads within the urban fabric of the Municipality of Serres. More specifically, the intervention concerns the area from the axis of Arch. Makariou - Nestoros Fokas in the east, to Miaouli street in the west and from the axis of Kresna - Stamouli in the north to the axis of Venizelos - V. Vassiliou (not including the specific streets) in the south.
For convenience, the intervention area is called the Northern Axis.
The northern part of the city of Serres, through which this particular axis runs, consists mainly of houses and there are asphalted municipal roads throughout the entire range. According to the approved street plan, there are statutory sidewalks. Within the area there are some existing configurations with paved walkways, plantings and urban amenities. The area has greenery and mature trees while all fixed surfaces are paved with the simple pavement slab.
The central design concept aims to create a new, perceptually unified unit with an emphasis on the enrichment of greenery, more favorable access for the blind and people with disabilities, as well as the installation of infrastructure to enrich the uses, creating an attractive area for citizens which will emphasize safety, with sections of different elements for crossing and standing in the area.
The proposed interventions promote actions such as: The planting and replacement of trees to create attractive areas and to encourage new microclimatic conditions. It is recommended to plant with trees favored by the local climate, low maintenance and demanding in general.
Coating of surfaces with materials that have been selected based on the criteria of aesthetic and functional upgrading of the common space, having at the same time taken into account the ease of construction and maintenance. It is recommended that pavement slabs that are functional, preferably non-slip, be used in combination with blind slabs that comply with international standards.
In the configuration of the space, there are three types of living rooms, and an installation of urban equipment that includes micro-waste baskets with ashtrays (arched bins).
The redevelopment will contribute to the functional and aesthetic reconstruction of the public space, to the improvement of accessibility for all and to the creation of sufficient width of sidewalks and axes of pedestrian movement without reducing the width of the streets.
LITOCHORO
"Redevelopment of Litochoro Municipal Park"
The redevelopment concerns an area with a total area of 62,000.00 sq.m. (6.2 hectares).
The start of the works will take place in June 2025 and their completion in February 2027.
The project concerns the aesthetic, bioclimatic and functional upgrading of the area of Litochoros, within the Municipality of Dion - Olympos Pieria. The interventions aim to improve the quality of life of the residents and to support tourism development through the regeneration of the Park at the City Hall in Litochoro.
The main elements of the project are:
Routes and Pathways: Creating safe and easily accessible routes.
Lighting: Installation of new lighting to improve safety during night hours.
Fountain and Tennis Court: Construction of a new fountain and tennis court.
Urban Elements: Adding new seating areas, railings and other urban elements
