Urban streams as focal points of urban regeneration: The area of Konstantinidis stream in Toumba, Thessaloniki

Nowadays, the concept of Green Infrastructure (GI) is having a big impact when it comes to planning cities and to policymaking, due to the need for substantial rethinking of urban development and for a contemporary way to respond to the current environmental global challenges. Urban rivers and strea...

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Main Authors: Kastanidou Symela, Katsavounidou Garyfallia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: EDP Sciences 2024-01-01
Series:E3S Web of Conferences
Online Access:https://www.e3s-conferences.org/articles/e3sconf/pdf/2024/115/e3sconf_iced2024_09001.pdf
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author Kastanidou Symela
Katsavounidou Garyfallia
author_facet Kastanidou Symela
Katsavounidou Garyfallia
author_sort Kastanidou Symela
collection DOAJ
description Nowadays, the concept of Green Infrastructure (GI) is having a big impact when it comes to planning cities and to policymaking, due to the need for substantial rethinking of urban development and for a contemporary way to respond to the current environmental global challenges. Urban rivers and streams are important elements of GI and their ecological restoring can promote biodiversity and climate adaptation, while improving quality of life in cities. In the present research, the focus is on the Konstantinidis stream and its surrounding area, located in Thessaloniki, Greece. More specifically, the main research question of this paper is how a stream, currently in a degraded state, can be integrated into the current open and green spaces of an area, contributing to the formation of a multifunctional open-space network that will provide recreational opportunities for users of all ages. Methodologically, a combination of research tools was used. First, a spatial analysis of the existing condition of the study area was carried out, which resulted to a series of maps presenting the planning and physical attributes of the neighborhood around the stream and of the existing open spaces. Second, field observation documented the condition of open spaces and usage patterns. Furthermore, and for a better understanding of the physiognomy of the area, a questionnaire survey was conducted, where residents were asked to rate the open and green spaces of their neighborhood. Thus, insightful information was extracted on how the residents/users of the area evaluate and perceive green and open spaces and local landmarks, which physical spatial factors affect their quality of life most and how they prioritize problems regarding green space. Based on an overall evaluation of the problems of the area and considering also the residents’ suggestions for its improvement, an integrated regeneration proposal was designed with the scope of integrating the stream area and providing opportunities for multiple uses and activities in the proposed green and public spaces network.
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spelling doaj-art-15e271bcfb5143e29998108706b3bbd82025-08-20T02:13:03ZengEDP SciencesE3S Web of Conferences2267-12422024-01-015850900110.1051/e3sconf/202458509001e3sconf_iced2024_09001Urban streams as focal points of urban regeneration: The area of Konstantinidis stream in Toumba, ThessalonikiKastanidou Symela0Katsavounidou Garyfallia1School of Spatial planning and Development, Aristotle University of ThessalonikiSchool of Spatial planning and Development, Aristotle University of ThessalonikiNowadays, the concept of Green Infrastructure (GI) is having a big impact when it comes to planning cities and to policymaking, due to the need for substantial rethinking of urban development and for a contemporary way to respond to the current environmental global challenges. Urban rivers and streams are important elements of GI and their ecological restoring can promote biodiversity and climate adaptation, while improving quality of life in cities. In the present research, the focus is on the Konstantinidis stream and its surrounding area, located in Thessaloniki, Greece. More specifically, the main research question of this paper is how a stream, currently in a degraded state, can be integrated into the current open and green spaces of an area, contributing to the formation of a multifunctional open-space network that will provide recreational opportunities for users of all ages. Methodologically, a combination of research tools was used. First, a spatial analysis of the existing condition of the study area was carried out, which resulted to a series of maps presenting the planning and physical attributes of the neighborhood around the stream and of the existing open spaces. Second, field observation documented the condition of open spaces and usage patterns. Furthermore, and for a better understanding of the physiognomy of the area, a questionnaire survey was conducted, where residents were asked to rate the open and green spaces of their neighborhood. Thus, insightful information was extracted on how the residents/users of the area evaluate and perceive green and open spaces and local landmarks, which physical spatial factors affect their quality of life most and how they prioritize problems regarding green space. Based on an overall evaluation of the problems of the area and considering also the residents’ suggestions for its improvement, an integrated regeneration proposal was designed with the scope of integrating the stream area and providing opportunities for multiple uses and activities in the proposed green and public spaces network.https://www.e3s-conferences.org/articles/e3sconf/pdf/2024/115/e3sconf_iced2024_09001.pdf
spellingShingle Kastanidou Symela
Katsavounidou Garyfallia
Urban streams as focal points of urban regeneration: The area of Konstantinidis stream in Toumba, Thessaloniki
E3S Web of Conferences
title Urban streams as focal points of urban regeneration: The area of Konstantinidis stream in Toumba, Thessaloniki
title_full Urban streams as focal points of urban regeneration: The area of Konstantinidis stream in Toumba, Thessaloniki
title_fullStr Urban streams as focal points of urban regeneration: The area of Konstantinidis stream in Toumba, Thessaloniki
title_full_unstemmed Urban streams as focal points of urban regeneration: The area of Konstantinidis stream in Toumba, Thessaloniki
title_short Urban streams as focal points of urban regeneration: The area of Konstantinidis stream in Toumba, Thessaloniki
title_sort urban streams as focal points of urban regeneration the area of konstantinidis stream in toumba thessaloniki
url https://www.e3s-conferences.org/articles/e3sconf/pdf/2024/115/e3sconf_iced2024_09001.pdf
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