It was announced at the Onassis Cultural Centre in Athens that the OKRA team of OKRA in collaboration with Mixst urbanism and Wageningen University, has won the prestigious competition ReThink Athens, towards a new city centre. The team is supported by the Greek Architects of Studio 75 and Werner Sobek Green Technologies. In presence of the President of the Onassis Foundation, Mr. Anthony Papadimitriou, the Prime Minister of Greece, Mr. Antonis Samaras, the Mayor of Athens, Mr. Georgios Kaminis, and many high officials Martin Knuijt of OKRA landscape architects has speeched on behalf of the OKRA team.

courtesy OKRA landscape architects

+ Architect's statement by OKRA landscape architects

One step beyond

We are very proud of winning the important international design competition 'Re-Think Athens', towards a new city centre, organized in a very professional way by the Onassis foundation. The team of urbanists, architects and landscape architects of OKRA are very enthusiastic to work on implementing our ideas in Athens. The competition proposal is made by OKRA in collaboration with Mixst Urbanisme and Wageningen University, and supported by Studio 75 and Werner Sobek Greentechnologies. Within the next months the OKRA team will further develop their ideas into an approved design for the central area in the city centre. During the execution phase it will be an International-Greek collaboration, where the Greek architects from Studio75 and Greek engineers will take part in progressing the winning competition entry to an approved plan that can be realized via European funding.

courtesy OKRA landscape architects

OKRA, a prominent practice in The Netherlands, is driven by a vision to make cities better and is specialized in planning and designing of urban public spaces. The practice focuses on assignments within transforming cities influenced by urban programme. To date OKRA has experience in large international projects, including a vision for Moscow Brateevo, Metropolitan Zone Copenhagen, Innercity Basel and a vision Public Space Rotterdam City Centre, implemented in several projects in the city centre, and ongoing. In London OKRA has realized  Cutty Sark Gardens in Greenwich and is transforming the heart of the third central pole in London concerning the regeneration of the central spine in Croydon. The combination of conceptual planning and perfect implementation is central to OKRA’s core policy. In our opinion, the need is that new spaces are created, in which people can identify with themselves and occupy, both physically and emotionally.

courtesy OKRA landscape architects

Contributing to change of Athens

We have confidence that this project will strongly contribute to the change of Athens and improve the environment of the city plus activating the area economically. We have noticed that due to improvement of public realm in our projects this significant change is possible. Our urban transformation projects in Rotterdam and London have led to a revival and it is also to be seen in many European cities, such as Barcelona and Paris. We think Athens can even get more out of this than the cities mentioned, that is why we have called our entry 'One step beyond'.On the large scale there is much to gain from a clear framework of green and urban spaces. Athens' quality is the presence of the green hills and its connection to the sea. As the city grows it is not just about conserving these qualities but to discover a new layer of publicly accessible space at different scales. The new generation of projects should include green and water systems. A new constellation of public and semi-public spaces will be a catalyst for new developments, new routes will be linked to these places and there will be new places where people will enjoy their daily environment.

courtesy OKRA landscape architects

Challenges – Changing the heart of Athens into a true contemporary metropolitan city centre requires transformation of the city triangle into a lively part of the city. Newly gained space, as a result of the major step towards a walkable city by reducing car traffic in this area, can be transformed into a vibrant, green and accessible heart of the city. We will take contemporary ideas on climate control, reduction of vehicular movement and programming public realm one step beyond: into an integrated proposal, creating a resilient, accessible and vibrant city, not just limited by its project borders, but linking this area to its adjacent areas and being a catalyst for the whole city. Crucial part of the new transformation is that heat mitigation of public realm will be realized, which will be an issue in many European cities within the forthcoming years.

The project 'One step beyond' focuses on creating a resilient city, accessible city and vibrant city.

courtesy OKRA landscape architects

Resilient City – The city centre of Athens will be transformed into a green network, and Panepistimiou will be the central green spine, providing shade and shelter. The resilient strategy includes specific attitudes towards reducing the urban heat and improving thermal comfort). A greening strategy for Athens is combined with a water strategy, since a good condition of plantings is crucial to contribute to heat reduction. Capturing rainwater in underground basins, on top of roofs or elsewhere helps to keep the water in the area.

courtesy OKRA landscape architects

Accessible city – The green framework will be treated as a coherent network of public realm in all directions and linking the adjacent neighbourhoods, having its highlight on Panepistimiou. Restoration of the continuities of the crossing streets creates continuity in the walking experience. By making the new tramline clear and present and part of the grandeur of the space it contributes to the aimed cohesion. In fact, Panepistimiou provides Shared space 2.0, a new balance between slow traffic and motorized movement. The design has three characteristic places: Omonia Square and Dikaiosynis Square will become a green urban squares, with prominent lush water elements. In the middle of Panepistimou Street, a green ensemble ties the university together into an urban park.

courtesy OKRA landscape architects

Vibrant city – Panepistimiou will change from 'street' to 'boulevard', by adding inviting spaces to stay to the linear space. Occupying and transforming ground floors, we introduce the concept of the theatre of 1000 rooms towards vacant buildings, organizing cultural events and shift focal points who will create a new vibrant atmosphere. Small open-air podia for outdoor initiatives will be created in public realm. Programs are related to Greek philosophy, science, drama and art. An 'encroachment zone' will improve active frontages and create linkages between the built environment and public realm. Interactive decorative light in public realm will give the right atmosphere during evening hours. The detailing of the project is very careful and will turn Panepistimiou and its environs to a signature space. And even more than that; it will be a welcoming space for all. Public space is about creating space for people. It is where those masses meet the ground and interact with each other that is the binding element to a city. So it will be important to implement green public spaces linked to the urban network of public realm, and to retain and improve this space, however large or small it is within the city, it is precious commodity.

courtesy OKRA landscape architects

By doing this we believe that the project tackles the anonymous space in the heart of Athens and demonstrates that urban vibrancy can be combined with creating a green and pedestrian friendly spine, contributing to quality of life and living in Athens. We are happy that the Onassis Foundation, the City of Athens and the Greek State are putting many efforts on a very valuable contribution for Athens. It will make a change and it is an honour to be part of this process and helping Athens for a new future.

+ All images & drawing courtesy OKRA landscape architects