With over 1 million inhabitants, Thessaloniki is the second largest metropolitan city area in Greece. Thessaloniki has a vibrant culture that attracts more than 2 million tourists every year. The city has an active port and a respected university. After the 2008 financial crisis, Thessaloniki suffered a considerable economic recession, which affected the amount of resources available for infrastructure.
Following a €37.5 million EIB framework loan approval in 2015, the Municipality of Thessaloniki asked the Advisory Hub, under the URBIS initiative, to help implement the City's municipal investment programme. This included the finalisation of an investment programme and strategy, project prioritisation and technical assistance for specific investment areas.
The Hub helped identify suitable projects, establish prioritisation criteria and prepare two key projects: the revitalisation of the local markets in the historic district, including the bustling Kapani market, and the expansion and optimisation of the separate waste collection services in the city. Our experts helped the Municipality prepare the allocation of funds and develop better projects.
Revitalising the local market district
Thessaloniki's historic centre includes four markets, hosting more than 800 small businesses. Local markets are a crucial geographical, historical and economic asset in Thessaloniki. The Hub provided the Municipality with an analysis of several scenarios for the renovation of the Kapani market to create a long-lasting transformative impact, while respecting the unique cultural identity of the place. The proposal includes a comprehensive package of recommendations that will enhance the attractiveness of the historical market district for local residents and tourists.
Optimising Thessaloniki waste collection
The Hub helped Thessaloniki make its waste collection system more efficient, increasing the quantity and quality of separately collected recyclable wastes and introducing the separate collection of bio-waste. The idea is to increase material recovery and reduce landfilling.
Our experts proposed a 10-year investment plan to fully implement the separate waste collection schemes. The Hub also devised an initial priority investment project for the period 2021 to 2022. The priority project provides for the introduction of new kerbside waste collection schemes in pilot districts, a network of civic amenity centres (so-called green points) and recycling corners across the city. The green points will also include repair and reuse centres and facilities for training, capacity-building and awareness-raising programmes for the population and businesses.
This investment programme will enable the Municipality to reach its targets for the separate collection of recyclables and bio-waste.
Following a €37.5 million EIB framework loan approval in 2015, the Municipality of Thessaloniki asked the Advisory Hub, under the URBIS initiative, to help implement the City's municipal investment programme. This included the finalisation of an investment programme and strategy, project prioritisation and technical assistance for specific investment areas.