New European Bauhaus Prizes

Identify the award category for which this concept is being submitted

Reconnecting with nature

Concept title

Back to Nature

Full concept title

Back to Nature: Exploring the Green Heart of Athens

Please provide a short, catchy description of your concept to be used in communication towards the public

Our project transforms Pedion tou Areos into an open-air environmental classroom, where guided tours, interactive storytelling, and digital tools help citizens rediscover the hidden biodiversity of their city. By blending education, technology, and community engagement, we inspire Athenians to appreciate, protect, and reconnect with urban nature.

Where was your concept implemented?

Greece

At which level is the concept being developed or/and implemented (e.g., does it cover the entire national level, one or several regions, cities etc?)

Local

Please indicate which city(ies)/village(s)

Athens, Greece

Does your project address mainly urban or rural issues?

Mainly urban

Does your concept refer to a physical transformation of the built environment or other types of transformations (hard or soft investments)?

It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)

Please indicate the current stage of development of your concept

Early concept

Has your concept benefited from EU programmes and/or funds?

Has your concept won an EU prize with a monetary value awarded?

Please indicate on whose behalf you are submitting the application

As an individual

Please provide a summary of your project, outlining the overall aim, target group(s), specific objective(s) and achieved outcomes in the context of the respective category you apply for

Urban Green Trails: Reconnecting with Nature in Pedion tou Areos" is an initiative designed to bridge the gap between urban living and environmental awareness. The project aims to reintroduce Athenians to the natural beauty of Pedion tou Areos, one of the city's largest green spaces, through guided walks, educational materials, and digital engagement tools such as podcasts and interactive maps. Targeting a broad audience, including students, families, and nature enthusiasts, the initiative seeks to foster environmental consciousness, community engagement, and appreciation for urban biodiversity. By making green spaces more accessible and meaningful, the project encourages sustainable urban development and collective responsibility for the environment.

Please indicate the main themes of your project with 5 key words.

Urban nature

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words

Environmental education

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words

Community engagement

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words

Green spaces sustainability

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words

Digital accessibility

Please describe the key objectives of your project in terms of sustainability and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context

The project promotes sustainability by enhancing awareness of urban biodiversity and the ecological role of green spaces. By educating citizens on local flora and ecological balance, it encourages responsible behaviors, such as preserving natural habitats and reducing urban pollution. The project's methodology is low-impact, utilizing digital platforms to minimize physical resource consumption. Additionally, partnerships with local environmental organizations ensure that the knowledge shared is based on sustainable urban planning principles, making this an exemplary model of grassroots sustainability efforts.

Please describe the key objectives of your project in terms of aesthetics and quality of experience for people (through design and cultural benefits) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context

The initiative transforms Pedion tou Areos into an immersive educational and aesthetic experience. Through well-designed guided tours, storytelling elements, and interactive media, visitors engage with the park beyond passive recreation. The use of visual elements such as artistic signage, QR codes linking to digital content, and creative nature-based workshops enhances the cultural and aesthetic appreciation of urban green spaces. The integration of local artists and designers in the project further elevates its aesthetic value.

Please describe the key objectives of your project in terms of inclusion (ranging from accessibility and affordability for all to inclusive governing systems, design for all principles or new societal models) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context

Accessibility is a key pillar of the project. The guided tours are designed to accommodate individuals with disabilities, with specific routes mapped out to ensure mobility-friendly access. Digital content, including podcasts and online materials, allows those unable to visit the park physically to participate remotely. The initiative also includes multilingual resources to reach a more diverse audience, making it a replicable and inclusive model of urban environmental education.

Please explain the way citizens benefiting from or affected by the project and civil society have been involved in the project and what has been the impact of this involvement on the project. Please describe their role and level of involvement.

The project engages citizens actively by involving them in interactive experiences rather than passive observation. Visitors can contribute to a digital database of biodiversity findings, enhancing their sense of ownership over the park’s preservation. Community workshops and volunteer participation reinforce collective responsibility, leading to a more engaged and environmentally conscious urban population.

Please explain how different stakeholders at various levels (local, regional, national European) were engaged in the design and implementation of the project. Please describe their role and level of involvement. Please highlight what the added value of their engagement was

Collaboration with local and regional environmental organizations, educational institutions, and municipal authorities strengthens the project’s impact. Schools benefit from structured educational programs, while municipal authorities receive valuable data on park usage and biodiversity. Engaging diverse stakeholders ensures a multi-faceted approach to sustainability and enhances the project's credibility and reach.

Please explain which disciplines and/ or knowledge fields were reflected in the design and implementation of your project. Please explain how representatives of these different fields interacted with each other, and what the added value of this process was

The project integrates knowledge from environmental science, urban planning, education, and digital media. By combining these disciplines, it offers a holistic approach to reconnecting people with nature, making urban sustainability an engaging and interactive experience rather than just an abstract concept.

Please highlight the innovative character of the project, when compared to mainstream actions in the field of the project

Unlike traditional conservation projects, this initiative blends environmental awareness with digital engagement. The use of podcasts, interactive maps, and citizen science platforms makes nature education more accessible and engaging for urban dwellers, bridging generational and digital divides.

Please describe the methodology or approach used in your project.

The project follows a participatory methodology, combining field research, citizen science, and digital media. Activities are structured in phases, from biodiversity mapping and content creation to public engagement through guided tours and digital platforms. This ensures continuous adaptation and improvement based on participant feedback.

Please describe which elements of your project could be replicated or transferred to other places, groups of beneficiaries and context. This may involve for example aspects of the methodology, technology, processes, products, learnings etc.

The methodology can be easily adapted to other urban parks and green spaces. The digital elements, such as educational podcasts and interactive maps, require minimal modification for application in different cities. The community engagement model, which includes participatory data collection and local partnerships, can be replicated in other municipalities seeking to promote sustainable urban green spaces.

Please explain what kind of global challenges the project addresses by providing local solutions

The project tackles issues such as biodiversity loss, urban heat islands, and environmental disengagement by offering a localized solution that enhances urban green spaces and fosters environmental stewardship. Through education and direct citizen involvement, it contributes to global sustainability goals at a community level.

Please describe the foreseen steps envisaged to further develop, promote and/or implement the concept with a particular focus on the year following the application

Following the application, the project will expand its digital content library, including additional interactive resources. Efforts will be made to collaborate with more local schools and community groups to increase engagement. The introduction of seasonal themed walks (e.g., spring blossoms, autumn biodiversity) will provide fresh perspectives and maintain long-term interest.

Please attach at least one high resolution image or visual representation of your concept to your application.

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