The City of Athens is responsible for a total of 1,346 separate green spaces, covering more than 3.9 square kilometres with around 3.35 sq.km. of actual vegetation, distributed throughout the city. Urban green spaces are the most efficient way of confronting climate change and the phenomenon of urban heat islands. Moreover, they offer a major opportunity for recreation, to both residents and visitors to the city.
The updated and integrated Action Plan for adaptation to Climate Change presented by the City of Athens, indicates the city’s absolute commitment to the fight against climate change. This plan will protect the citizens of Athens from the effects of the rapidly occurring climate change, while at the same time leading to the necessary reduction of airborne emissions, thus ensuring a sustainable future for the city.
Preparedness against climate change, together with the management and expansion of the city’s green spaces, are priorities for the City of Athens, which manages the urban flora, trees and flowers, while at the same time increases the amount of green space per resident, by creating so-called “pocket parks”.
Green spaces in Athens are directly linked to the city’s urban history, one typical example being the bitter orange trees, which are an integral part of all Athenians’ daily lives. Various such landmark species are scattered around the city; from the jacarandas on Rigillis street to the mulberries on Vasilissis Sofias avenue, to the oleanders on Ermou and the washingtonias making up the monumental tree line at the entrance to the National Gardens.