Haidari

The municipality of is the biggest in Western Athens. With 48.494 inhabitants, it constitutes the western gate of the capital. Infrastructures such as the big National Roads (Holily Road, L of. Athens) cross the municipality and split its urban structure. There are no suitable underground infrastructures. In this region there are the 2 biggest psychiatric clinics in Athens, two institutions of Chronic Diseases, as well as three camps. At the boundaries of Haidari there is also the shipyards called Skaramanga. Haidari's plan is to make coherence between the metropolitan urban development project and the city's development process; as well as to develop the participation of the local stakeholders in the definition of the city identity. Haidari has worked during the last 15 years to improve the sustainable development. The city strategy is focused on quality of life and housing. The municipality is testing some integrated local actions in order to take into account healthy "approaches" in designing and implementing urban regeneration projects. Haidari expects to exchange experiences and good practices between all partners and with other European cities in order to develop coherent, responsible and sustainable local strategies.

The main challenges in witch the city has to give a concrete response are the following:

1.- Overcoming physical barriers. The probable construction of underground passages of National road as well as the reformation of corresponding surfaces.

2.- Elevated bridges (Pedestrians) aiming at making easier the National road’s crossing, with elevator facilities for the disabled people.

3.- Development and exploitation of downgraded areas in order that each of the 5 neighbourhoods of the municipality obtains its relative autonomy and to reduce its internal transports.

4.- To increase the homogeneity of the city (in order to cease the picture of 2 speeds’ city) as well as to facilitate city’s accessibility so that the crossing of National Road becomes friendlier for all citizens.

5.- Upgrading and maintenance of the urban and suburban green spaces.

6.- To improve the understanding and the dissemination of historical and cultural elements of the city and actions for the maintenance and safeguarding of cultural heritage

Haidari is confronted with this situation and the need to connect the urban planning with socio-economic and territorial tendencies of their region, and consequently the growth of city model process of change. This means, the transformation to a central city, from city of residence to city of total living.