New “Aenaon” Metropolitan Park in Southern Athens Poised For Tendering in March

On the initiative of the Regional Governor of Attica, Nikos Hardalias, a special session of the Regional Council was held yesterday, focusing on the extensive presentation of the plan for the creation of a new Metropolitan Park in the Faliro Bay, titled “Aenaon – The Open Park of the Mediterranean.” The project, covering a total area of 541 stremmas (approx. 541,000 square meters) and with a budget of 370 million euros, represents the largest urban redevelopment in the Attica Region. It is expected to fully upgrade the coastal front of the “Athens Riviera,” offering citizens a modern space for greenery, culture, sports, and recreation.

Mr. Hardalias, staying true to his commitment to transparency and accountability, outlined the implementation strategy of the ambitious project, addressing all questions from the leaders of the Council’s parties. Meanwhile, the Director of Technical Works for the Region, Miltiadis Kyrkos, and the Head of the Special Projects Department, Harikleia Bitzileki, provided detailed insights into the specific technical aspects.

As emphasized by the Regional Governor of Attica, “This will be the first park in Greece to be created in accordance with the principles of the New European Bauhaus program, which connects the European Green Deal with the daily lives of citizens. Therefore, every step of its implementation will be finalized with the European Union, which will provide the necessary approval after reviewing all related documentation. We will proceed within the framework of an open European competition using the design-build system, adhering to the required timelines, so that the park can be delivered to citizens by 2028.”

He also mentioned that the initial plan was for greenery to cover 45% of the park. However, after consultation, it was finalized that the green area will reach 73%, with 4,000 trees and 210,000 plants being planted, while the remaining 25% will host mild cultural, sports, and educational activities. “A series of accompanying projects will also be developed in collaboration with the municipalities of the area, as recently happened with the arrangement of the Ilisius River mouth,” said Mr. Hardalias. He also clarified that access to all parts of the “Aenaon” park will be free and open to everyone, with no fees for visitors, including bathers who wish to swim.

He also added that discussions regarding the management body for the operation of the Metropolitan Park are in the initial stages, with the Attica Region leading the process. He stated, “Our intention is for all the involved municipalities to participate in this management body.” He also informed those present that the Attica Region will be granted both the adjacent indoor Tae Kwon Do stadium and the Water Square by the Public Properties Company (ETAD S.A.), thereby creating a unified green and urban redevelopment corridor.

Regarding the issue of accessibility, the Regional Governor emphasized, “We are in consultation about finalizing the creation of a Metro station at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, as we want to encourage the use of public transportation.” He also noted that provisions have been made for the placement of parking areas for hundreds of cars.

Mr. Hardalias concluded by telling the leaders and members of the regional council’s combinations, “I want you to know that we are open to any discussion, proposal, and consultation.”

The characteristics of the project to create a New Metropolitan Park at the Faliro Bay (“Aenaon – The Open Park of the Mediterranean”).

The coastal Mediterranean Park, covering an area of 540 hectares, will feature:

• 4,000 trees and 210,000 plants
• 250 hectares of new green spaces
• 73% natural environment
• Accessibility for all, implementing the principles of inclusion
• Aesthetic, energy, and functional upgrades to the buildings of the Olympic facilities, covering 14,000 m²
• Creation of 5,700 m² of new buildings for activities within the park area
• 3 new parking areas with a capacity of 850 spaces
• A continuous pedestrian and bicycle path, 1.4 km long, which will be part of the 17 km long pedestrian and bicycle path currently under construction, stretching from Kallithea to the Municipality of Vari – Voula – Vouliagmeni.

The Metropolitan Park, which is expected to attract 3.8 million visitors per year, will incorporate:

• Mild cultural activities with outdoor event spaces, a summer cinema, and outdoor exhibition areas
• Sports activities with six 5×5 courts, four squash courts, two basketball courts, two beach volleyball courts, a fencing area, and swimming pools
• Social and recreational activities, with dining areas and activities for children, educational and thematic in nature, including playgrounds, play areas, 3D structures, sand-based games, and more.

The 5 vertical thematic axes

The redevelopment will be based on the core design principles of the Renzo Piano Building Workshop. It has evolved with the contribution of the Faliro 2014 design team and adopts the principles of the New European Bauhaus (aesthetics, inclusion, and sustainability), creating 5 vertical thematic axes, each of which carries a distinct symbolism: These are axes that relate to:

• With nature and science
• With culture
• With sports
• With various artistic and cultural events
• And with water sports.

These axes will connect a series of areas, primarily Kallithea, with the Metropolitan Park. At the same time, the integration of the sea into the city is achieved through the enhancement of the Ilissos River, the Kifisos River, and, of course, the penetration of open canals within “Aenaon,” as well as the creation of swimming pools. “We want to highlight the area as a maritime destination,” as Mr. Hardalias specifically emphasized.

The reconnection of the city with its umbilical cord, the sea, is symbolically and functionally realized through:

• Linear maritime canals will create strong recreational hubs, reintroducing swimming (Swimming areas next to the Ilissos River – reintroducing swimming to Faliro Bay).
• Subterranean buildings will support recreational, wellness, and dining functions.
• The beach volleyball court will be transformed into an open amphitheater for events.
• At the same time, a “living” green promenade on the roofs of the linear buildings will connect the Park with the Esplanade and the closed Tae Kwon Do stadium.
• In the Olympic facilities zone, a core for social and cultural activities and a Sports Academy will be created.

A modern, inclusive, coastal Mediterranean metropolitan park will be established, open to society and citizens. The total cost of the project is 480 million euros. Of this, 110 million euros is the cost of Phase A, which covers infrastructure works (New coastal avenue and flood protection), which have already been completed, while 370 million euros will be spent on the park’s construction and accompanying support works.

The project timeline:

• Tendering: 2025
• Contract Signing: 2025
• Construction Start: 2026
• Construction Completion and Operation Start: 2028

The official presentation of the new Metropolitan Park took place last November at a special event under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, with the participation of the Regional Governor of Attica, Nikos Hardalias. During the event, the project was named “AENAON.” As the Prime Minister emphasized at the time, it will be “a truly unique park, not only for Attica but, I dare say, for the entire Mediterranean, offering the citizens of Attica and the millions of its visitors an outlet for entertainment and sports, primarily for the residents of Kallithea, Moschato, and Palaio Faliro. We are a government that works harmoniously with local authorities. With Nikos Hardalias and the mayors, you know that we have an open channel of communication. We are all working for the same goal: to improve the quality of life for the residents of Attica, with small, medium, and large projects, leaving aside any local disputes, always thinking outside the box.

It should be noted that the project, as indicated by the relevant correspondence, was on the verge of being excluded from European Commission funding, a situation that would have had obvious damage and a negative impact on the country. It was saved only thanks to the government’s efforts and the decisive contribution of the new Regional Authority. In fact, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Ms. Elisa Ferreira, referring to the inclusion of the project in EU funding, stated two months ago that “as is the case with every ambitious project, there were technical obstacles that had to be overcome. This project would not have been possible without the creative work, under the joint leadership of the central government and local authorities, especially Regional Governor Mr. Hardalias, with the support of the creative community of the new European Bauhaus program.”

At yesterday’s meeting of the Regional Council, the following were present, among others, on behalf of the Region of Attica: the Executive Secretary of the Region of Attica, Giannis Selimis, the Special Secretary Elena Raptis, the General Director of the New Metropolitan Attica, Effi Filiopoulou, the Head of the Attica Operational Programme, Dimitris Drosis, and the Director of the Regional Governor’s Office, Giorgos Chalkias, as well as Deputy Regional Governors.

Also present were the leaders of the regional council factions of Attica: Giorgos Ioakeimidis (“Attica Circle of Cooperation and Trust”), Giannis Proutoulis (“People’s Unity of Attica”), and Giannis Sgouros (“Independent Attica Administration”).

For more details and the complete article in Greek, click here