Page 160 - ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL 2022

ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL
architecture

Green Interventions

Acclaimed landscape architect Karolos

Chanikian of Greenways writes about all the

new techniques that provide solutions for the Karolos Chanikian is a National Technical University of Athens

urban fabric, improving our quality of life. architect, landscape architect MLA and founder of Greenways.

G reek cities are in considerable need as the mountains of Crete. Unlike with other vertical

gardens, these plants do not need to be in water con-
of green zones. In densely built Ath-
ens, in Thessaloniki and almost every
stantly. Even in the heatwaves of the Greek summer,
city in the country, green architecture
the garden in question requires only three minutes of
has been called upon to provide solu-
to this system, in addition to a green oasis in the very
tions that are eco-friendly and improve
daily life. When we founded Greenways in 1997, watering in the morning and three at night. Thanks
limited space of the capital’s center, the application
the value of landscape architecture was not widely is friendlier to the environment.
known in Greece yet. It was a huge challenge for us It is important to note that green architecture and
to demonstrate in practice why this sector is nec- landscape architecture are not a luxury and do not
essary, and to change perceptions. Combining the have mere beautification as their primary goal. On
knowledge and know-how of architects, engineers, the contrary, even on a small scale, such projects bring
landscape architects, designers, agronomists and immediate benefits to the environment and the health
specialized technicians, the landscape is significantly of local residents. The urban heat island phenomenon
improved today. is observed when urban areas – usually at the center
There are now several examples of the improvements of a city – consistently record higher temperatures
that green interventions bring to the urban fabric. At than rural areas of the same city due to building ma-
the heart of this approach is the element of nature. terials, energy usage, emissions and anthropogenic
Neither a building nor a small or large cluster of activities. The city does not “breathe,” the air does
buildings, such as a city, exist in a vacuum. The way not flow, and heatwaves are more intense. If we add
a building adapts to its environment does not only greenery to these neighborhoods by creating roof
change its aesthetic and financial value but can bring gardens or planting trees in the sidewalks, we increase
about significant benefits for local residents. Tradi- evapotranspiration levels, helping the temperature
tional or innovative in its form and infrastructure, to remain lower. Even small green lungs help lower
ILIANA PSILOGALANI , ILLUSTRATION: VLADIMIR RADIBRATOVIC
the garden constitutes an extension of the building carbon emissions, contributing to the fight against
and ought to constitute a sustainable extension of its global warming.
interior. From the creation of eco-parks to green atri- Green architecture and landscape architecture also
ums and green walls, multiple opportunities exist to provide opportunities for people to work together
add more greenery to our everyday urban life. Today, with their neighbors via creating groups who tend to
we see new methods for plant cultivation on balco- green spaces, and via community gardens of ornamen-
nies, green paving and rooftop farms. For example, tal or edible plants. It is telling that the World Health
vertical gardens are one of the most popular trends Organization calls urban green spaces “a fundamental
in architecture, and they continue to be adopted in component of any urban ecosystem” and highlights
PRIVATE JOURNAL NO3 behalf of a downtown Athens business. We planted tal health inequalities, contribute to citizens’ well-be-
that access to green spaces can reduce health and men-
our country too. We completed such a project on
approximately 1,000 herbs and plants of 80 differ-
ing, and aid in the treatment of mental illness. 
Greenways Hellas
ent species and lawn vertically on the approximately
40m2 façade. This project made use of my personal
Tel: +30 2107295237
patent, based on a real-life natural landscape reminis- Iridanou 4A, Athens
cent of plants growing through rocks in places such greenwayshellas.gr

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