One of the key actions of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan Greece 2.0 is to be implemented. In particular, the Information Society, in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Governance, published the invitation to submit proposals for the “Smart Cities” programme, with a total budget of 90,000,000 euros.
It concerns 16 large municipalities with a population of over 100,000 inhabitants, plus the municipality of Trikala, as a model of “smart municipality”. The Municipalities are invited within the next two months to submit a strategic plan for their transformation into “smart cities”, according to the proposal for submission of proposals sent to them by the Information Society. The guide includes a wide range of “smart” actions depending on the priorities and needs of each municipality in key areas of everyday life such as: mobility, safety, health, energy, civil protection and environment, waste management – water resources, economic development and construction, participation and connectivity.
The 17 municipalities are the following: Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Heraklion, Piraeus, Larissa, Volos, Peristeri, Rhodes, Ioannina, Chania, Acharnes, Nikaia – Ag. Ioannis Rentis, Chalkidae, Kordelio – Evosmos, Kallithea and Trikala.
The main objective of the project is the development and use of new technological tools that will improve the management and functionality of the urban environment in Greek cities. The intervention also aims at the gradual transformation of Greek cities into “smart cities” through the development of new infrastructures, digital platforms and information systems. The proposed solutions allow cities to use technology and data to improve urban infrastructure, electronic services and to stimulate the local economy.
The implementation of the action of “smart cities”, as in the whole of Europe, will mean the following for the citizens, among others:
- Increasing the efficiency and accessibility in municipal and public services
- Facilitating mobility and creating safety conditions against natural and other disasters
- Reducing the pollution and any environmental impacts
Furthermore, as shown during the period of COVID-19, the transformation of cities into “smart cities” has a positive impact on the daily lives of individuals, employees and businesses through a series of changes, related to teleworking, e-democracy and transparency, and enables citizens to participate more actively in the decision-making process.
The Managing Director of the “Information Society” S.A., Mr. Stavros Asthenidis stresses in this regard: “Investing in smart cities brings to the fore a national, European and global challenge, related to the digital and green transition. In this direction, smart cities are a key project for the development of digital applications and the installation of “smart equipment” in the municipalities of the country with the aim of upgrading the quality of life of citizens, improving their daily lives, increasing their civic participation, protecting the environment, responding to climate change and reducing the energy footprint.”
