Conceptualising 'Smart' and 'Green' Public Open Spaces; Investigating Redesign Patterns for Greek Cities

Aspa Gospodini,Stella Manika

doi:10.13189/cea.2020.080322

Abstract

This paper deals with improving the quality of public open space in densely built and declining inner city areas. It investigates the potentials of 'smart' and 'green' redesign of public open space for enhancing public realm and the quality of life. Smart redesign of public open space entails the transformation of public open space into an inclusionary intelligent civic arena which allows citizens to have both face-to-face contact and interaction, and virtual communication by means of free community electronic equipment of space and e-services. Green redesign includes the refurbishing of public open space using green technologies and energy saving elements and equipment. The paper explores the amalgamation of 'smart' and 'green' design approaches and the development of a dynamic 'smart & green' public open space and networked communities as catalysts to handle declining inner city neighborhoods. The thinking behind this approach lies in the urgent need for transformation of unused and meaningless private plots into common semi-public open space within urban blocks in shrinking urban units. Accordingly, we argue that this need reflects a potential double gain, a win-win scenario for simultaneously (a) raising awareness of spatial disadvantages in central urban areas, and (b) enhancing quality of life. Thus, in a broader perspective, urban shrinking units will potentially become more attractive and will gain a stronger economic and social identity. The paper investigates redesign patterns for Greek cities and presents a pilot study for cities of Volos and Larissa.

Highlights

In the second half of the 20th century – in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s – the rapid economic growth of large Greek cities has been fueling extensive internal migration from agrarian districts towards urban areas
As far as public land is concerned, for many decades master plans have been providing Greek cities with minimum standards of public open spaces and public amenities. Such a process of urban development can explain many of the spatial disadvantages in contemporary Greek cities: That is, inner city areas, structured by the perimeter urban block system, are characterised by high built densities, the inefficiency of parking spaces, shortage of public open spaces and green spaces, neglected or underused public spaces,; and on top of these features, inner city areas frequently suffer from bad environmental conditions such as the ‘urban heat island’ effect [3]
In this context of recession and shrinkage, research conducted by the Lab of Urban Morphology, University of Thessaly, has surveyed the spatial allocation of closed commercial shops in the center of Thessaloniki, Volos, Larissa, and Trikala

Summary

Introduction

In the second half of the 20th century – in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s – the rapid economic growth of large Greek cities has been fueling extensive internal migration from agrarian districts towards urban areas. Such a process of urban development can explain many of the spatial disadvantages in contemporary Greek cities: That is, inner city areas, structured by the perimeter urban block system, are characterised by high built densities, the inefficiency of parking spaces, shortage of public open spaces and green spaces, neglected or underused public spaces, (see Figure 2); and on top of these features, inner city areas frequently suffer from bad environmental conditions such as the ‘urban heat island’ effect [3].

Results

Conclusion