Observatory for Sustainable Urban Development
About this good practice
The Sustainable Urban Development Observatory is an initiative of the Region of Central Macedonia aiming to promote sustainable urban development. The Observatory is the necessary mechanism for the preparation of policies and actions based on data (evidence-based policies/actions).
It is a mechanism for collecting, monitoring, evaluating, and exploiting data on the current situation and developments, in the metropolitan area of Thessaloniki, in the areas of Spatial Planning and Urban Renewals, Transport and Communications, Environment and Quality of Life, and Social conditions. It also promotes partnerships with public and private sectors in order to apply innovative solutions.
Moreover, the role of the Observatory is:
- To monitor the evolution of figures and phenomena, but also to support policies and interventions in each sector.
- To support the formulation of policies in all the processes: from the collection of primary information to the assessment of the effects and effectiveness of the measures.
- To produce the most reliable estimates and forecasts to support the redesign and harmonization of applied policies.
- To provide a platform for communication between experts, scientists, politicians, agencies, and the public, as a basis for decision-making by encouraging social participation.
Resources needed
The Observatory requires specialized technology for data analysis and urban planning, skilled staff trained in environmental science and urban development, and a good collaboration between local government, academic institutions and private sector. Online platform's total cost was 749.358€.
Evidence of success
The Urban Lab has demonstrated success through tangible improvements in urban planning processes and environmental metrics across Thessaloniki’s Metropolitan Area. Notably, most Local Authorities in the area have requested access to the platform to evaluate the available data and adjust future policies based on real-time information. This data-driven approach has positively impacted air quality, urban greenery, and climate resilience, with case studies serving similar regional initiatives.
Potential for learning or transfer
The Urban Lab’s Sustainable Urban Development Observatory offers a flexible, replicable model for sustainable urban policies in regions of any scale. By adapting data collection frameworks and prioritizing stakeholder engagement, the Observatory facilitates climate-responsive strategies and cross-border knowledge sharing. In Thessaloniki, it supports the Metropolitan Thessaloniki initiative, a strategy by the Region of Central Macedonia aimed at revitalizing the metropolitan area. The Observatory also draws from platforms like Horizon Scanning to track trends and the Social Inclusion Observatory for inclusive planning. Partnerships include Memoranda of Understanding with municipalities, enhancing its regional impact. Collaborative events, such as those with the Technical Chamber of Greece and Aristotle University, highlight its commitment to a participatory approach in shaping Thessaloniki's sustainable future.