What is "Cooling Havens"
Cooling Havens is an innovative European project that brings water and greenery to the center of the effort against urban overheating, through the active participation of citizens.
6 Cooling Points—permanent interventions that utilize water, as well as two mobile, low-cost structures—will be created in central Athens neighborhoods, offering immediate relief from high temperatures and strengthening the city's long-term resilience.
The interventions will add over 8,000 m² of new water and green-based works and aim for a reduction of approximately 2-5°C in microclimate temperature during heatwave days.
Beyond infrastructures, the project cultivates a new water culture: through schools, educational workshops, artistic installations and the public Open Data Portal, connecting cooling with daily life and public space design.
The project is co-financed by the European Urban Initiative (EUI) with €4.99 million from ERDF (80%) in a total budget of €6.25 million and duration of 42 months (12/2024—05/2028).
The lead urban authority is the Municipality of Athens, with Develop Athens S.A. undertaking financial management and communication actions, within the framework of a consortium of 14 partners from public bodies, universities, civil society organizations and city businesses.
Objectives
Creation of a network of 6 Cooling Stations
Permanent water-sensitive interventions and two mobile, low-cost stations. In total, more than 8,000 m² of new water and green-based works are created, aiming for a reduction of approximately ≥ 5°C in microclimate temperature during heatwave days and retention of >70% of rainwater during periods of intense rainfall.
Innovation in managing extreme thermal conditions
Mobile stations costing ≤ €30,000 each, 25 data collection stations and IoT sensors for temperature, humidity, air quality and water consumption. Operation optimization with artificial intelligence support.
Education
25 municipal employees will be trained and will use the new digital infrastructure.
New relationship of residents with water and greenery
Creation of 6 educational centers around water, with participation of 200 students. 60% of participants will develop a positive water culture. More than 2,000 active users will participate in the Digital Water Memory Lab.
Participation and co-design with the local community
Meaningful participation of residents is the foundation of Cooling Havens. It is not simply a consultation process, but a systematic co-creation journey that starts from the initial design and continues until the operation of the Cooling Points.
Participatory workshops per neighbourhood
At least 120 residents will participate in co-design workshops, where plans will be presented, feedback will be collected and interventions will be adapted to local needs. In total, approximately 4,000 citizens are expected to be involved, i.e. 13% of the local population.
Interactive forms of communication
Stories around water, narratives of local memory and artistic actions will be incorporated to strengthen the sense of common identity and ownership.
Cross-sectoral involvement
Residents, schools, small businesses, artists and NGOs will connect with technical bodies and the Municipality in an open dialogue. Thus, participation goes beyond the level of consultation and becomes a collaborative process.
Creation of new job positions
Alongside participation, the project creates 10 "green" maintenance jobs, strengthening local employment and transferring skills within the communities themselves.
In this way, Cooling Havens does not simply introduce new water and green-based infrastructures; it builds networks of trust, strengthens social cohesion and creates a new culture of responsible water use that belongs to the citizens.
Expected Results
Relief from extreme temperatures through solutions that utilize water and greenery in a sustainable way.
Improvement of microclimate and quality of public space, with cooler, more comfortable and safer neighbourhoods.
Strengthening of water awareness and education of residents around climate resilience.
Creation of a pilot model that can be extended and replicated in other European cities.
The project in numbers
6
Cooling Points (Stations)
1
Municipality
Athens (Major Urban Authority)
14
Partners
11 implementation partners + 3 transfer cities
42
months of implementation
01 Dec 2024 → 31 May 2028
100
communication/participation actions
by 2028
4000
citizens
directly involved in workshops & co-design, 35,000 beneficiaries from the new cool parks
8000
m² of new blue/green infrastructure
25
data collection stations& IoT sensors
6
million (6,25)total budget (80% ERDF)
Involved Entities
Cooling Havens aims to attract and involve a wide range of entities so that every stage—from design to operation and transfer—is based on collective knowledge and social acceptance.
Residents & local communities
Participation in design workshops, use of cooling stations, provision of feedback
Vulnerable groups
Direct access to cooling points, priority in training for green jobs
Municipality of Athens
Policy coordinator, owner and manager of infrastructures
Develop Athens S.A.
Responsible for communication, project management and organization of participation actions
Academic Institutions & Research Centers
(NTUA, NKUA, etc.)
Technical studies, IoT sensors, data analysis, impact assessment
NGOs & Social bodies
(ELLET etc.)
Educational programs, awareness raising and connection with schools
Artistic community
Creation of artistic installations
Green technology businesses & start-ups
Provision of equipment, know-how and services
Tourism sector & cultural organizations
Promotion of sustainable itineraries, collaboration on thematic events
Political bodies / Transfer Cities (Roeselare, Budapest, Sofia)
Transfer of know-how, testing of scalability and joint development of “Innovative Solution Model”
Media
Dissemination of results and good practices
Engagement mechanisms: Stakeholder Engagement Observatory (Deliverable D 3.2.2), open workshops