Introducing the “Smart Commercial Triangle”: An Interview with Athens’ Chief Digital Officer, Konstantinos Champidis

Something big is happening in the Athens Commercial Triangle (Trigono): An area of ​​110 acres is reversing years of urban decline in an effort to change the everyday mindset of citizens towards their city, testing a new way of living in the city center. The Trigono project is delivering more public space to citizens, developing a “smart” lighting system, piloting a “smart” mobile notification system for garbage collection, and adding new benches, bins, and greenery.

Last month, Trigono’s “smart” garbage collection system was publicly launched by Mayor Kaminis, Haris Broumidis, CEO of Vodafone Greece, Konstantinos Champidis, Athens’ Chief Digital Officer, and Elina Dallas, Project Manager for the Athens Commercial Triangle Revitalization Program. With this new service, business owners will be notified when the City’s garbage truck is about to pass by the neighborhood—removing the need for fixed bins and avoiding garbage concentration in this historic part of the city.

Marios Danilopoulos, a journalist from www.kathimerini.gr sat down with Athens Chief Digital Officer, Konstantinos Hambidis, and the “smart” Trigono launch to talk about “smart” cities.

Marios Danilopoulos: What makes a city “smart”?

Konstantinos Champidis: It is not just about investment in smart lamps, smart parking, digital technology or free WiFi access—the key question is whether smart city services are truly beneficial to residents.  What is most needed is that city ‘users’, from municipal employees to shopkeepers and residents, are involved and are offered tools that can improve everyday life.

MD: Why have you chosen Athens Trigono to pilot these smart city applications?

KC: The implementation of this plan is a part of the City of Athens’ Digital Roadmap. I don’t think we could’ve started this pilot elsewhere because of the level of interaction with the community it requires. Because the Athens Trigono project team interacts with residents and shopkeepers daily, they understand their problems, expectations, and needs. This provides the necessary reality check for our ‘smart’ plans. The Trigono team will tell us whether an idea will work on the ground or not, and whether it truly addresses neighborhood concerns.

MD: Can you tell me more about the new “smart” garbage collection?

KC: The City of Athens is not the first city to use telematics in garbage collection; but what is innovative about this initiative is that for the first time, it turns garbage collection into a service for shopkeepers. Users get a message on their mobile phones about the exact time the garbage trucks pass by their shops.

Business owners in the Trigono area receive a text notification to take out their garbage.

MD: How does “smart lighting” work and how will it benefit the area?

KC: Smart lighting is in effect remote-controlled LED lighting. While most the old lamps are controlled by one central switch, with this new system, we can dim, light, and extinguish each of the new lamps individually. This means we can adjust lighting according to the needs and of each part of the neighborhood. Furthermore, this new network of lamps can be used as a basis to install sensors for data collection or to expand Wi-fi networks in the future.

MD: What’s the private sector’s role in all of this?

KC: Unfortunately, the public procurement system does not allow us to test new technologies. But in this case, thanks to our private sector partners in “smart” Trigono (namely Vodafone)  we were able to pilot their system on four garbage trucks in Trigono. With Vodafone’s support, we tested and refined the program according to our needs, and then expanded to another eight vehicles. It is these impactful collaborations that the Municipality seeks with the private sector.

MD: How would you evaluate the City of Athens’ Trigono interventions?

KC: In Trigono, we see a best-practice model of local government, which is based on the fact that, thanks to the Trigono project team, we are in constant contact with the neighborhood. Trigono is an emblematic project, the first one to be realized in cooperation with stakeholders. Now, we have a model that we know works and can be replicated elsewhere.

The City of Athens’ Commercial Triangle Revitalization Program is a public-private partnership, coordinated by the Athens Partnership, based on an exclusive grant by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)..

Restoring the Commercial Triangle’s unique character: An interview with Trigono Project Associate, Nancy Klampatsa

Nancy Klampatsa is a Project Associate for the Commercial Triangle project. As a part of her work, she interviews business community members for “Humans of Trigono,” a historic and cultural preservation effort.

Athens Partnership: What makes the Commercial Triangle special?

Nancy Klampatsa: It’s a place with a strong sense of identity and history, a neighborhood with its own distinctive character, even though it’s part of the very center of Athens. In the course of interviews for “Humans of Trigono,” I am amazed to hear many fascinating stories that go back generations, and encapsulate the history of the center of Athens.

AP: Can this history be preserved while the area is being “revitalized”?

NK: This is one of the aims of the Commercial Triangle project: to revitalize the area, while maintaining, restoring, and showcasing its historical roots. We are recording the neighborhood’s history and highlighting it through cultural and community events, and making this history an integral part of the Commercial Triangle ‘brand.’ There is no other place in Athens where you can find traditional stores selling ribbons, cloth, and doorknobs, next to modern hotels and cafes. This is a treasure not only for tourists but for us Athenians too.

AP: What’s your favorite part about working at the Commercial Triangle program?

NK: It’s great to be able to immediately see the impact of our work in the neighborhood! As I leave our office, located in the heart of Trigono, I immediately see the results of our efforts – a wall that was vandalized and has now been restored, a new work of public art on display, new benches and LED lighting freshly installed. It is very rewarding!

AP: What does it take to change a neighborhood?

NK: I think building trust is key. Once you have a basis of trust, then all stakeholders can work towards a common goal. Residents and shopkeepers have gradually come to realize and value our project’s special role, as an intermediary between the municipal government, private sector donors and the neighborhood. They appreciate having a personal point of contact with whom they can voice their concerns. I think this project is really connecting all the necessary dots: the neighborhood, the Municipality, our donors and other partners. This idea, that the sum can be greater than its parts, is the underlying philosophy of all public-private projects coordinated by the Athens Partnership.

Business owners on the Commercial Triangle project: “We feel there is someone listening”

Interview with Trigono Shop Owner, Dimitris Hadjidimitrakis

For two years now, Trigono has undergone a lot of changes, and recently tested smart technologies. We talked with Dimitris Hadjidimitrakis, one of the oldest merchants on Vissis Street, about how he sees his everyday life during the interventions of the City of Athens.

Marios Danilopoulos: Has your daily contact with the Trigono team helped you?

Dimitris Hadjidimitrakis: Undoubtedly! When a project is run by the Municipality, there are often many stakeholders and therefore communication can be more distant and difficult. Whereas now, we feel that there is someone listening.

MD: What has been the most important change in your area?

DH: The cleaning of tags and graffiti from walls has been was a great relief! The Athens Trigono program has taken care of this pervasive problem, cleaning and shielding of Trigono surfaces with anti-tagging material. The same goes for illegally parked cars—especially on our own narrow street, the problem was unbearable—the situation was chaotic with cars parked uncontrollably; now the street is clear for pedestrians.

MD: What is your view on the new smart garbage collection initiative?

DH: Unfortunately, the smart garbage collection has not yet reached our street due to ongoing capital work. But, from what I hear from colleagues in other parts of Trigono, garbage collection has now become very easy. We look forward to getting it in our area.

The Athens Trigono project is implemented with the exclusive donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), with the exception of the capital works, which are financed by EU funds, according to the Partnership Agreement (PA) 2014-2020 (Regional Operational Programme “Attica”, Integrated Territorial Investment - ΙΤΙ).

International Women’s Day: Leaders helping to shape the future of Athens

In anticipation of International Women’s Day, three of AP’s Project Managers share their vision and love for Athens, in their own words:

Elina Dallas, Architect, Athens Trigono Project Manager

“My vision for Athens is of a vibrant, caring city, where public space is respected; a sustainable city with fewer cars, an inclusive city with happy citizens.

Elina in her beloved--and now even more beautiful--city center.

“Through our work on the Athens Commercial Triangle Revitalization program, we have managed to creatively transform the historical part of the city center, from the bottom up by building relationships and investing in its people.

“I truly believe that a person who never made a mistake never tried anything new, as Albert Einstein put it. In Trigono, this is exactly what we have been doing during these last two and a half years: experimenting and celebrating both our successes and failures. I think this is the way Athens can really change for the better.”

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Lida Aslanidou, This is Athens - Polis Project Manager

“I think the beauty of Athens is unrivaled! I want Athenians to regain a sense of pride for their city, and visitors to feel safe and to experience the unadulterated pleasure of strolling in the unique environment that the historical center of Athens has to offer; a harmonic blend of history and modern day life, a complete package of colours, aromas and simultaneous sounds of merchants trying to grab your attention, and buskers, luring you away from your routine-thoughts.“

Lida is all smiles when she’s out in the city she loves.

“This is Athens - Polis” has set a very clear mission: to bring out the beauty of the Historical Center of Athens, which is home to some of the city's architectural treasures, but also to a vast number of new, as well as traditional businesses.

“At the same time, we are setting out to find and invite like-minded individuals who draw inspiration from these surroundings, to create and engage with them. We aim to collaborate with visual artists, graffiti artists and musicians, in order to create and perform in the public space, with the ultimate aim being to revive the area and give it new life!”

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Irene Chazapis, Athens Open Schools Project Manager

“Athens is amazing as it is. I admire Athenians who dare to think outside the box and share their knowledge and skills with others.”

Irene excitedly introducing a free Open Schools event.

“Through the Athens Open Schools program, we create new public spaces in neighborhoods, new meeting and creative venues, by opening schools on weekday afternoons and all day on weekends. School buildings are being used as lifelong learning centers with a wide variety of activities geared to all ages and interests, including our most vulnerable community members.

“We are working to bring out the best in Athens by bringing people together and offering opportunities for everyone - without discrimination - to learn and grow.

“Our city is a puzzle of colorful neighborhoods and vivid stories, all of which have their place in the Open Schools.”

To support these program efforts of the Athens Partnership, click here.

"My child is happier, calmer, and more involved in everyday life"

Mothers of children with special needs talk about  Athens Open Schools

A significant portion of the 500 free Athens Partnership Open Schools activities, offered in 20 neighborhoods, are targeted to disconnected residents. Creative activities for children with autism and pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) include sports, painting, music and storytelling, aimed at children ages 7 to 14. At the 9th Special Primary School in Goudi, these activities are facilitated by special instructors from the Epilogi social enterprise.

We spoke with a newly formed group of 7 mothers from different neighborhoods in Athens, who bring their children each week to Goudi. Here are some words they shared over coffee in a neighboring café about their experiences.

AP: What brought you to Athens Open Schools?

Katerina:  Before my experience at Athens Open Schools, I had not come in contact with other parents of children with autism, despite the fact that my child attends a special school. As a result, I usually felt lonely and marginalized associating with other parents. Through my son's involvement in this activity, I have now met parents who face the same daily challenges as I do and, most importantly, my child is happier, calmer, and more involved in everyday life.

Anna: There are not many organizations that offer free activities for children with special needs, and it is difficult for parents to always pay for something that should be provided free of charge, such as Athens Open Schools. It is not easy for me to travel here from home, which is in another part of Athens, but honestly, this is of no importance, when I see my child enjoying himself, socializing and making new friends.

AP: What has your child gained from this activity?

Maralenda: My son is more tranquil, his obsessions and stereotypical behaviours have receded. He functions better within a team and has more appetite for play. As for myself, I also came out of my shell, because I had closed up a lot; I have met other moms and started socializing again.

Violetta: It is the third year that my child has taken part in this program and during that time he has opened up socially- he is trying new activities, such as exercise. I have also met other people and made new friends.

Christina: Through this activity, my son now expresses himself more with me as well as other people. In addition, I have gained some free time for myself.

AP: What else has the Athens Open Schools program brought to the neighborhood?

Aspasia: Because the school remains open late, there is a guard and the courtyard is filled with people, it’s safer for all of us walk around the neighborhood.

To support these families through Open Schools and other AP public programs, please donate now.