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Synopsis

The city of Thessaloniki and its surrounding municipalities constitute the second largest urban complex of Greece with one million inhabitants. The city has the particularity to be largely spread along the sea: the approximate distance of the city's front side along the sea is 18 km while the approximate 'depth' of the city varies from 3 to 5 km (*). Serious traffic problems are observed on the longitudinal axis since only four main axes cross the city. Also, while the east-south part is primarily residential, the business-industrial areas are massively situated to the northwest. In fact, it was estimated that 70% of the morning traffic on the main axis east west (Tsimiski road) is due to vehicles crossing the city, in spite of the existence of a peripheral road.

Apart from the new metro of Thessaloniki, two other important projects are planned in the near future to improve this situation: a) Creation of a seashore urban transport service (expected to function in 2004). The departure points and the 5 stops of the first stage from Nikis avenue in Thessaloniki to Sofouli street in Kalamaria (*) will be built in order to ensure safe and comfortable embarkation-debarkation conditions of passengers. b) Development of the 'New quays', the 'Old quays' and the area of the 'White Tower', and upgrading of Nikis Avenue (avenue along the sea): extension of its sidewalks in relation with the works at the 'White Tower' area (1st phase), and complete pedestrianisation of this avenue under the condition of the creation of an underwater road artery (2nd phase)

Target groups: all citizens
Fields: traffic calming / living streets - public transport

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