Cooling Havens at the European Urban Initiative Capacity Building Event in Athens.

On 3–4 June 2026, Athens hosted the European Urban Initiative (EUI) Capacity Building Event, entitled “Designing and Delivering Green and Blue Infrastructure for Climate-Resilient Cities”.

The event brought together representatives from cities, European institutions, national authorities, urban practitioners and innovative projects from across Europe to exchange knowledge and experiences on planning, implementing and financing climate adaptation interventions.

As part of the event, the Cooling Havens project was presented as an example of integrated urban climate adaptation that combines water, green infrastructure and citizen participation to create cooler and more resilient neighbourhoods. Through presentations and interactive workshops, the project showcased its approach to addressing urban heat stress and increasing climate risks through nature-based solutions and community-driven urban design.

The presentation positioned Cooling Havens within the broader climate resilience and climate neutrality agenda of the City of Athens. Particular emphasis was placed on connecting technical interventions with the everyday needs of local communities and on ensuring that residents play an active role throughout the design process.

Through participatory activities such as co-creation workshops, neighbourhood walks and open community discussions, local knowledge and lived experience become essential planning tools. In this context, Cooling Havens approaches participation not as a complementary consultation process, but as a form of infrastructure that helps shape more effective and inclusive climate adaptation solutions.

During the thematic workshops, participants were introduced to the project’s intervention areas across Athens and the ethodology used to develop cooling havens that utilise water and greenery to improve urban microclimates and enhance quality of life. The discussions also highlighted the challenges associated with implementing green and blue infrastructure in dense urban environments, from coordinating multiple stakeholders and administrative processes to maintaining continuous engagement with local communities.

One of the key messages shared throughout the event was that climate adaptation cannot rely solely on technical solutions. Building resilient cities requires the combination of evidence-based planning, innovation, cross-sectoral collaboration and meaningful citizen engagement. Within this framework, Cooling Havens was presented as an initiative that connects environmental resilience with social cohesion, local identity and the reimagining of public space.

Participation in the EUI Capacity Building Event provided an important opportunity to disseminate the project’s experience and exchange knowledge with cities and organisations from across Europe. At the same time, it reinforced Athens’ role as a city actively contributing to the European dialogue on climate adaptation by promoting approaches that place water, nature and people at the centre of urban transformation.

Through Cooling Havens, Athens continues to explore innovative ways of making neighbourhoods cooler, more sustainable and more resilient to the impacts of climate change, while generating knowledge and practical experience that can inspire and support other European cities facing similar challenges.