Ellinikon Park Set One of Europe’s Largest Urban Green Spaces

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The Ellinikon Metropolitan Park is being designed as one of Europe’s largest urban green spaces, with more than 30,000 trees, around 3 million shrubs and green coverage exceeding 70% of its total area.

The park’s design incorporates advanced water-management, climate-resilience and biodiversity measures, including a wastewater treatment facility capable of producing up to 7,000 cubic metres of treated water per day, a 10,000-cubic-metre storage reservoir and a smart irrigation system that could reduce water consumption by up to 90%.

The plans also include a network of “cool routes” where temperatures could be up to 4°C lower than in neighbouring asphalt-covered areas.

These details appear in the study “Contemporary Parks in Greece – A Guide to the Design and Operation of Sustainable Green Spaces”, prepared by 1830 Lab for LAMDA Labs, the research and innovation initiative of LAMDA Development.

Architect and landscape architect Dimitra Theochari and Lenio Myrivili, Global Chief Heat Officer at the UN Environment Programme and the Atlantic Council’s Climate Resilience Center, formed the study’s editorial team.

The publication examines international practices in the design and operation of contemporary urban parks and presents the Ellinikon Metropolitan Park as an example of how these principles can be applied.

KEY ELEMENTS OF PARK DESIGN

More than 30,000 trees and 3 million shrubs

The design provides for more than 30,000 trees and approximately 3 million shrubs. Green areas will cover more than 70% of the park.

More than 520 plant and animal species

More than 70% of the plantings will consist of native and adapted species, with the aim of creating an ecosystem capable of supporting more than 520 plant and animal species.

Thermal design using digital simulations

The designers used thermal mapping and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) from the earliest planning stages to assess thermal behaviour, shading and air circulation.

Temperatures up to 4°C lower

The simulations underpin a network of “cool routes” where temperatures could remain up to 4°C lower than in neighbouring asphalt-covered areas.

More than 60% shade and natural ventilation

The strategy provides shaded areas with more than 60% coverage, unobstructed natural airflow and vegetation that uses natural transpiration to improve thermal comfort.

Water channels, misting systems and reservoirs

The park will incorporate water features including channels, misting systems and low-consumption water reservoirs. These elements will enhance evaporative cooling and help reduce surrounding temperatures.

Smart irrigation with up to 90% water savings

Sensors monitoring weather and soil conditions will control irrigation and allow targeted watering. According to the study, the system could achieve water savings of up to 90%.

Wastewater treatment facility

The park will feature a tertiary wastewater treatment facility capable of producing up to 7,000 cubic metres of treated water each day. The water will serve permitted non-potable uses, including irrigation.

10,000-cubic-metre water reservoir

A 10,000-cubic-metre irrigation-water storage reservoir will provide additional water capacity for the park and help meet demand during periods of high thermal stress.

100% on-site stormwater management

Green and blue infrastructure will manage rainwater within the park, allowing 100% on-site stormwater management and helping restore natural water flows.

The redevelopment also highlights the Trachones stream as a critical flood-protection infrastructure element.

Greek natural materials

The project will use Greek natural materials for paving and other surfaces, including Kavala marble, white Dionysus-Penteli marble, Karystos slate and Mandras sandstone.

The materials aim to provide durability and thermal comfort while connecting the park to the Attica landscape.

Reuse of existing materials

Concrete slabs from the former airport facilities will be reused for retaining walls, seating and structural elements. Crushed aggregates will also be used in gabions and earthworks, reducing the environmental footprint of construction.

Paths integrated into the natural landscape

The pedestrian network will form an integrated system with continuous shade and high accessibility. Local paths will follow the natural terrain and blend into the vegetation, creating microclimatic refuges and alternating areas of light and shade.

Continuous microclimate monitoring

The park’s operation will rely on systematic monitoring of air temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, soil moisture and shade.

The data will support the management of the park’s microclimate, irrigation and vegetation maintenance.

According to the study, The Ellinikon Park brings microclimate, water, vegetation, materials and pathways together within a single design model.

The study concludes that 21st-century parks should function as infrastructure that helps renew both the urban and natural environment. Under this approach, every tree, surface and water flow forms part of an interconnected system that responds to changing conditions and seeks to restore balance between people and the environment.

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