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Synopsis

Just like almost every Greek city since the 60s, Larissa, an industrial, administrative, cultural and transportation centre in the middle of the Thessalian plains, is subject to the "evils of growth" and the dominance of the automobile. The first serious attempts for a correct urban planning started in the 70s and continued through the 80s, when major studies were carried out. The conclusions of these projects led the City Council to take important decisions, that contributed to the formation of a new policy for reshaping the centre of Larissa. Tackling the mobility issues was one of the basic elements of this policy, setting as primary goal the increase of modal split for walking in the city. The final result was a functional and organic proposal, which gave form to the entire pedestrian streets network, with a projected total length of 15 km. The Plan proposed by the Urban Development Department was divided into two important phases:

• Phase A, 1990-1995, including:
  • an area of 200,000 m², some 25 city blocks together with 3 squares pedestrianised, crossed by only one vehicle artery,
  • pedestrianisation of the second largest square of the city, 8,000 m²,
  • three new parking lots for off street parking, holding approximately 600 cars, which correspond to the total number of legal and illegal places 'lost' by pedestrianisation,
  • completion of a study for a bicycle network covering the whole city,
  • studies carried out to improve the public transportation system,
  • awareness raising campaigns, etc.
• Phase B, 1995-2001, based on all previous studies, researches, conclusions and experience drawn from the first phase, and including:
  • a new area of 95,000 m² of quality public space added to the renovated city centre and 2 km of pedestrian streets to complete the central network,
  • development of the bank of Pinios River which runs through the perimeter of the city centre and the Frourio Hill: 2 km of pedestrian and bicycle paths and 3 new bridges provide options for pleasant walks and rides to the citizens,
  • reconstruction of sidewalks on 2 km of two main streets in the city centre after reorganising the available space by allocating more space for pedestrians.

Target groups: all citizens
Fields: walking / pedestrians

This case study is one of 175 projects from the Smile Project Local Experiences Database listed on this website.