Europe's largest smart city - Ellinikon

The site lay derelict for over 20 years after the international airport ceased operations in 2001. Within 15 years, the development company Lamda Development will completely transform the site. A picture-book smart city will be created on the Greek coast, where everything will be within 15 minutes walking or cycling distance, says a Lamda Development spokesperson: "This is unique, and we had the opportunity to create it because the site was empty and we were able to build everything from scratch."

Zipcode: paradise

The aim of Smart City is to redefine the urban lifestyle in Greece and Europe. The company calls it "Zipcode Paradise" and wants to harmonise all the needs of people, the environment and the economy.

This is to be achieved through various focal points that have been set in the planning and development of Ellinikon:

• Energy management: smart grid infrastructures to monitor and control energy consumption to reduce consumption and carbon emissions.

• Smart buildings: Internet of Things (IoT) applications make every building "smart" and improve the daily lives of residents.

• Connectivity: Nationwide 5G and public Wi-Fi and a state-of-the-art fibre optic network provide unprecedented connectivity.

• Greece's first "smart" park: The Ellinikon Experience Park has lighting systems that adjust according to the season and time of day, as well as systems to monitor environmental conditions.

• Electric vehicles: widespread use of electric vehicles

• 24/7: Intelligent sensors, AI algorithms and underground networks improve the efficiency of the infrastructure around the clock.

• Mobility: Intelligent parking aids and micro-mobility options such as bicycles and electric scooters ensure environmentally friendly transport.

• Resource efficiency: IoT technologies are used to manage water and waste, maximise recycling and support the integration of renewable energy. Intelligent lighting increases comfort, efficiency and safety.

• Accessibility: An AI-supported, user-friendly app bundles all digital and physical services in Ellinikon, from bike hire to bill payment, and makes them easily accessible via smartphone.

Living and working in Ellinikon

Many of the points emphasise the importance of creating a clean and sustainable environment for the future. Roads should therefore not be designed primarily for car traffic, but for pedestrians and cyclists. In this way, physical activity is encouraged, and CO2 emissions are reduced, emphasises the Lamda Development spokesperson.

The topic of nature was also taken into consideration in The Ellinikon, as the Greek capital Athens often lacks parks and green spaces - in the new Smart City, Europe's largest coastal park is being created on 2 million square metres, 1.5 times bigger than London’s Hyde Park. On the coast itself, there will be a sandy beach about one kilometre long, which will offer the people of The Ellinikon recreational opportunities by the sea.

The entire construction work and remodelling of the site is scheduled to take a total of 15 years. According to the Lamda Development, the first five-year phase will end in late 2026 or early 2027, by which time important infrastructure and utility projects should be completed. For example, the main road will be relocated underground, Greece's first green tower will be built, and numerous other residential projects will be finished. The aim is to create around 75 - 85,000 jobs in the smart city - which also includes two luxury hotels, two state-of-the-art retail and entertainment spaces and various sports, health and educational facilities.

At the end of 2023, the first building of The Ellinikon was completed - a centre for the care of people with disabilities, which is intended to serve as a model for care facilities throughout Europe in terms of its type and equipment. The spokesperson for Lamda Development emphasises that this project is clear proof that The Ellinikon will be a city for everyone.

The next few years will show how life will develop in the planned city and which people will live and work in Ellinikon in the future. The entire project is due to be completed in 2036. By then, Lamda Development will have invested around 8 billion euros in the smart city - the largest privately financed investment in Greece's history.