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Former military camp “Kodra” in Municipality of Kalamaria conceded to public use.
Published on 01 February 2022
Greece
Kentriki Makedonia
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About this good practice
The former military camp “Kodra” is located in the heart of Kalamaria, being near the center and the seaside of Kalamaria. The camp covers an area of about 200 acres and is no longer in use by the army.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, arose the necessity for extra public space, allowing the needed social distancing. This problem was further deteriorated by the restrictions posed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the area:
• Suspension of inter-municipal transportation
• No entry to the Thessaloniki’s seafront
• No entry to Thessaloniki’s suburban forest “Seih Sou”
• No entry to the schools’ yards & playgrounds
Therefore, Municipality of Kalamaria decided to concede the area of the former military camp “Kodra” in public use, giving space to the citizens of Kalamaria for walking, cycling, and athletic activities.
The Municipality of Kalamaria responded to citizens’ needs for more space, allowing the immediate licensing and implementation of this practice. The COVID-19 restrictions triggered this immediate licensing and implementation of the practice. This fact relates the practice to the additional activities of the REFORM project, and specifically the public space re-allocation emergency (due to COVID-19) that will be assessed under the Priority 5 of the ROP 2021-2027 (PI 1 (RCM)). Furthermore, the good practice leads to a decrease in carbon emission, since citizens of Kalamaria do not need to travel outside the Municipality limits for their athletic activities, anymore.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, arose the necessity for extra public space, allowing the needed social distancing. This problem was further deteriorated by the restrictions posed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the area:
• Suspension of inter-municipal transportation
• No entry to the Thessaloniki’s seafront
• No entry to Thessaloniki’s suburban forest “Seih Sou”
• No entry to the schools’ yards & playgrounds
Therefore, Municipality of Kalamaria decided to concede the area of the former military camp “Kodra” in public use, giving space to the citizens of Kalamaria for walking, cycling, and athletic activities.
The Municipality of Kalamaria responded to citizens’ needs for more space, allowing the immediate licensing and implementation of this practice. The COVID-19 restrictions triggered this immediate licensing and implementation of the practice. This fact relates the practice to the additional activities of the REFORM project, and specifically the public space re-allocation emergency (due to COVID-19) that will be assessed under the Priority 5 of the ROP 2021-2027 (PI 1 (RCM)). Furthermore, the good practice leads to a decrease in carbon emission, since citizens of Kalamaria do not need to travel outside the Municipality limits for their athletic activities, anymore.
Resources needed
The implementation of the practice was implemented by own resources of the Municipality of Kalamaria, with the cooperation the departments of the Municipality:
• Technical Services of Civil Protection & Environment,
• Services of Cleaning, Recycling & Green.
• Technical Services of Civil Protection & Environment,
• Services of Cleaning, Recycling & Green.
Evidence of success
The citizens of Kalamaria embraced the practice form the first day, enjoying the area and getting benefits from this practice. The former military camp is used for leisure and athletic activities, being full of people, especially during weekends. The great success of the practice can be depicted also by the fact that groups of volunteers participated in the cleaning process, as can be seen in relevant media releases (https://rb.gy/), along with a drone footage of the area enjoyed by many people.
Potential for learning or transfer
Taking advantage of the immediate licensing and implementation procedures applied for relieving COVID-19 adverse consequences, the project characterized by easy implementation, without remarkable delays and with a quite reasonable cost creating high potential for learning and transfer.
Considering that such activities are really time consuming because of the different departments engaged, the lack of resilient urban planning and bureaucracy, this practice met with great success.
Considering that such activities are really time consuming because of the different departments engaged, the lack of resilient urban planning and bureaucracy, this practice met with great success.
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Municipality of Kalamaria
Greece
Kentriki Makedonia
Contact
Project Manager