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WP4 Urban Programming
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Urban Agenda in KAVALA
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
Version 01
Prepared by:
Municipality of Kavala
http://www.kavala.gov.gr
Reviewed by:
STATUS Content
Management
URBASOFIA
www.urbasofia.eu
Urban Planning Institute
of the Republic of Slovenia
www.uirs.si
Workpackage 4 Urban Programming
Activity 4.2 Definition of planning scenarios:
prioritization design of urban strategic agenda
D4.7 Integrated Strategic Urban Agenda in
Kavala
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
2/72
Project number: SEE/D/0297/4.1/X
Project acronym: STATUS
Project title: Strategic Territorial Agendas for "Small and Middle-Sized Towns" Urban Systems
Instrument: INTERREG IV B SEE
Call identifier: South East Europe Call D
Activity code:
Start date of Project: 2012-12-01
Duration: 24 month
Deliverable reference number and title (as in Annex 1): D4.7 Integrated Strategic Urban Agenda
in Kavala
Due date of deliverable (as in Annex 1): 2014-11-30
Actual submission date: see “History” Table below
Revision:
Organisation name of lead contractor for this deliverable:
Municipality of Kavala
Project co-funded by the European Commission within the INTERREG IVB
South East Europe Programme (2007-2013)
Dissemination Level
PU Public PU
PP Restricted to other programme participants (including the
Commission Services)
RE Restricted to a group specified by the consortium
CO Confidential, only for members of the consortium (including the
Commission Services)
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
3
Title:
D 4.7 - Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
Author(s)/Organisation(s):
LOCAL TEAM
Io Chatzivaryti, Elena Samourkasidou, Ilias Giarmatzidis, Anna Ntouiapilen, Vasileios Kalpakis
EXPERT TEAM
Pietro Elisei (Urbasofia), Sabina Dimitriu (Urbasofia), Cristina Tartari (Tasca Studio), Derek Martin (independent
intl. expert), Joep de Roo (Eurodite), Daniela Patti and Levente Polyak (Eutropian), ), Rick Bleumink (Eurodite)
Working Group:
WP4
References:
STATUS Final Application Form (INTRA-5108827)
STATUS Project and financial management handbook
Short Description:
Output 4.2, 4.5 and 4.6 are going to be combined and presented as the final Strategic Territorial / Agenda.
Content manager coordinates. Scientific and technological partners provide methodologies and techniques, tools
necessary to facilitate the exchange of ideas, knowledge and expertise in the activated participatory planning process
leading to the final Agendas design.
Keywords:
Strategic territorial agenda, strategy, workshops, participatory tool, geoblog, stakeholders, working groups, solutions,
problems
History:
Version Author(s) Status Comment Date
00 Barbara Music (UIRS) 1. Draft Template of the report 16/09/2014
01 Expert team)
Final Draft Draft of the report 03/12//2014
Review:
Version Reviewer Comment Date
01
Pietro Elisei (CM) Review of Report Template 23/09/2014
xx/xx/2014
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
4
Table of Contents
Table of Contents................................................................................................................................... 4
Table of Figures ..................................................................................................................................... 5
Abbreviation List ................................................................................................................................... 6
1 The importance and purpose of the Strategic Urban Agenda in the Kavala Municipality .... 7
2 Scope and vision of the Kavala Strategic Urban Agenda 2030 ................................................. 9
3 The process leading to design of the ST/UA in Kavala Municipality ..................................... 13
4 Goals and projects of the ST/UA ................................................................................................ 27
5 Implementation of the ST/UA .................................................................................................... 48
6 Project Fiches: Priority projects corresponding to each goal / objective of the ST/UA ... Error!
Bookmark not defined.
7 The Poster Plan ............................................................................................................................ 70
8 Conclusions .................................................................................................................................. 71
9 References .................................................................................................................................... 72
10 Annexes.............................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
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Table of Figures
Tables
Table 1- Summary of main challenges identified in the desk analysis for the Municipality of Kavala 18
Table 2: List of prioritized projects ....................................................................................................... 42
Table 3: ST/UA´s Action Plan of TPs area ............................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 4: ST/UA´s Action Plan of TPs area in a timeline ....................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 5: Risk assessment ........................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 6: Monitoring and evaluation framework of the ST/UA .............. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Figures
Figure 1 - Concentration tendencies: relative general accessibility in the EU. Source: ESPON ............ 7
Figure 2 - Illustration of the vision. Source: Kavala Poster Plan, TASCA Studio ................................ 12
Figure 3 - The process of designing the Kavala Agenda (adaptation from source: UIRS Ljubljana) .. 13
Figure 4 - Timeline of the process of ST/UA design (Adaptation after source: UIRS Ljubljana) ....... 13
Figure 5 - Initial stakeholder list ........................................................................................................... 14
Figure 6 - Kavala Municipality and the main intervention areas .......................................................... 15
Figure 7 - Kavala plan used in the operational analysis and stakeholder discussions ........................... 16
Figure 8 - Detailed area of intervention 1 - Kavala city and main areas of focus ................................. 16
Figure 9 - Public Participation in Kavala (October 2014) ..................................................................... 19
Figure 10 - Preparatory meeting attendance by stakeholder status ....................................................... 20
Figure 11 - 1st Workshop attendance by stakeholder status ................................................................. 20
Figure 12 - Workshop 1 working groups .............................................................................................. 21
Figure 13 - The cross-domain priority problems of Kavala. Source: D4.2 Kavala ............................... 22
Figure 14 - Geoblog proposals from the workgroups in Kavala ........................................................... 24
Figure 15 - Workshop 3 attendance by stakeholder status .................................................................... 24
Figure 16 - Final design presentation workshop attendance ................................................................. 25
Figure 17 - Kavala Strategic Territorial Agenda Pillars ........................................................................ 30
Figure 18 - Development of four-season, alternative tourism ............................................................... 32
Figure 19 – The historical city from the sealine .................................................................................... 33
Figure 20 – View of the waterfront from citadel ................................................................................... 35
Figure 21 - Existing areas of regeneration ............................................................................................ 37
Figure 22 - New proposals for regeneration areas ................................................................................. 38
Figure 23 - The four-leaf clover model ................................................................................................. 40
Figure 24 – Zoom plan on the city center (Source: TASCA Studio) ...................................................... 44
Figure 25 – Mobility plan (Source: TASCA Studio) .............................................................................. 45
Figure 26 - Main tourism and landscape proposed interventions (Source: Sabina Dimitriu) ............... 51
Figure 27 - Eastern Access priority project localization (Source: Daniela Patti, Levente Polyak) ...... 53
Figure 28 - Rendition of possible uses for existing building stock (Source: Daniela Patti, Levente
Polyak) .................................................................................................................................................. 54
Figure 29 - Western Access priority project localization (Source: Daniela Patti, Levente Polyak) ...... 55
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
6
Figure 30 - Upper Downtown priority project localization (Source: Daniela Patti, Levente Polyak) .. 56
Figure 31 - Rendition of possible uses for existing building stock (Source: Daniela Patti, Levente
Polyak) .................................................................................................................................................. 57
Figure 32 - Aqueduct Panorama regeneration area (Source: Daniela Patti, Levente Polyak) .............. 65
Figure 33 - Illustration of Aqueduct Panorama path (Source: Daniela Patti, Levente Polyak) ............ 66
Abbreviation List
CKP - cities knowledge platform
ST/UA - Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda
TP – Territorial Partner
SEE – South Eastern Europe
UC – Urban Centers
UTF – Urban task force
KUC – Kavala Urban Center
ROP – Regional Operational Plan
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
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1 The importance and purpose of the Strategic Urban Agenda in the Kavala Municipality
The Dutch have a saying: “Standing still is going backwards”. This is very true for Kavala.
As the world is changing rapidly around us, most stakeholders agree that continuing to
approach the development of the town in the same way as in the past is not an option. If
Kavala wants to avoid stagnation or even decline, it has to adapt to the demands of the
contemporary world.
One of those “demands” is the well-researched fact that, with globalisation, there is a strong
tendency to concentrate investment more in bigger, more centrally located cities (Fig 1.). 1st
and 2nd tier cities have no fundamental problem in this respect; 3rd and 4th tier cities,
depending on their specific circumstances, usually have to work at making good development
strategies, but their challenge is mostly “surmountable”. Lower tier cities however, such as
Kavala, again depending on their circumstances, have to work hard on counteracting these
concentration tendencies by developing their own assets, sources of income and developing
new ones by attracting new investment.
Figure 1 - Concentration tendencies: relative general accessibility in the EU. Source: ESPON
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
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Kavala has the added disadvantage of being really peripheral in the European territory (Fig.
1). Although its isolation has been reduced with Bulgaria and Romania joining the EU, and
the somewhat better (economic) relationship with Turkey than in the past, its hinterland is not
strong. Also recent developments in the Middle East and Ukraine have underlined its
vulnerability from negative developments in not-too-distant parts of the world. For towns like
Kavala, good connectivity is therefore of vital importance, starting with the accessibility to
Thessaloniki, it’s “gateway to the rest of Europe” and beyond that Athens, but also to Drama
and the North and to Thassos and the other islands. Its own airport and port therefore remain
vital.
Fundamental messages
Against this background, the fundamental messages running through this strategic agenda
proposal can be summed up as follows:
1. Governance and not government:
We have to involve organised stakeholders and citizens in the development of their own town.
These days they have to permanently “co-own” their town together with their elected
representatives.
At the same time, we have to convince them that:
- obstacles they may have regarded for a long time as insurmountable can be broken
down with a different approach
- they have to “give and take”, be prepared not to defend their own demands to the very
end, to accept the realistic wishes of other stakeholders and adopt a “you help me, I
help you” attitude.
Such a shift in thinking and attitudes can build on recent first positive steps, such as the
merger of Kavala and Philippi into one municipality, the improved co-operation between the
municipality and the port authority and the pro-active positivism of major stakeholders such
as TEI and Egnatia Aviation
2. A flexible process, not static plans.
This allows the adaptation to change, to take on board new, unpredicted opportunities (who
would have predicted the establishment and growth of Egnatia Aviation in 2004?) and
“impositions from above” (e.g. the Transadriatic gas pipeline)
3. Step-by-step, gradual change.
We need a gradual behavioural shift from a problem-orientated to a solution orientated
approach. However, people must be given time to get used to change and “another way of
doing things”. Quite rapidly implemented, initial, small-scale and visible improvements can
help that process enormously.
4. It’s only a proposal, but it’s feasible
What is put forward in this report and accompanying presentation is a number of proposals for
a Strategic Agenda. It does not have the character of a “take the totality, or leave it”. It is up
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
9
to the stakeholders – or to follow the proposal, the Urban Task Force operating from the
Urban Centre – to decide which elements of the Agenda will be implemented and which will
not, and which will be implemented first and which later. The timeline and phasing of the
implementation of the key action projects has not been elaborated, although the general
framework is the next Structural Funds period 2014-2020. Given the inherent spatial and
functional interaction between the key actions and of course the availability of financing,
clearly much consideration still has to be given to their timing and prioritisation. However,
having said this, the team considers all elements of the proposed Agenda to be in principle
implementable.
Aim of the report
The task of the expert team is fourfold:
1. Elaborate the key elements of a Strategic Agenda for Kavala using the excellent
analytic work done by the Kavala team within the framework of the STATUS project.
2. Identify four key areas of action which, in the opinion of the team, are vitally
important supportive pillars of that Agenda with which the process can be started.
Other important elements of the Agenda, such as energy, waste management,
Festivals, will be mentioned as part of (one of) these key areas of action
3. Identify tools for implementation, from local to European
4. Identify the next steps to be taken.
2 Scope and vision of the Kavala Strategic Urban Agenda 2030
The City of Kavala (“the heart of Eastern Macedonia” or “the cyan city”) represents the
principal seaport of the region and a historic, cultural and religious center with ample traces of
Byzantine, Venetian and Turkish influence. From the 1st January 2011, in accordance with
the Kallikratis Plan (Law 3852/2010), the Municipality of Kavala fused with neighboring
Philippi and the opportunity appeared for integrating and jointly developing the potential of
the two former administrative units. In order to re-establish and strengthen the connections
between Kavala City and the territory, including the Philippi historical site, the area of
intervention is represented by the entire Kavala Municipality.
In its recently-established whole, the Municipality encompasses historical sites from the
Neolithic Age (Dikili-Tash, 2850-2250 BC), ancient Antisara (700 BC) and the ancient city of
Philippi (ca. 360 BC), where the Apostle Paul taught the message of Christ in 52 AD. Lydia’s
baptistery, the point where Paul baptized the first Christian in Europe, as well as metal mines
(including gold) used in the construction of Alexander’s fleet and the heritage left behind by
Muhammad Ali add to the remarkable heritage of the Municipality, a true pinnacle of multi-
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
10
continental culture and history. Considering its outstanding attractions, in order to compose a
concrete and viable strategy, the Agenda’s core focus will have to be based on the area’s most
dynamic economic branch, the high-potential tourism sector.
Rather than aim for the classical “sea, sand and sun” trio that Greece has mostly been known
for, in order to consolidate itself as a terminus destination and touristic regional capital (rather
than gateway to more attractive beaches), Kavala should define its own identity and brand.
One of the aims of this document will thus be to facilitate Kavala’s distancing from the highly
unsustainable seasonal mass tourism model which creates congestion in the city,
environmental damage, a limited amount of preponderantly low-end jobs and an under-
utilization of available resources, and redevelopment of an endogenous four-season tourism
model, by promoting in a concerted way all assets that the Municipality possesses.
Yet apart from tourism itself, the Municipality also possesses a large array of opportunities to
broaden its economic base, in order to further increase the output of its economic production
factors and become more sustainable, moving towards new cooperation and business models.
Therefore, a second aim of the Agenda is supporting the development of local
entrepreneurship within the most promising economic sectors.
A city is only as attractive as it is distinctive, livable and innovative. Another aim of the
Agenda is to support putting an end to outmigration and transit point status, to assist Kavala
to become more attractive for its inhabitants, youth and touristic base. In order to achieve this,
the Agenda will focus on keeping educated youth in town, diversifying local opportunities
and creating an attractive, interesting place to live and visit. Urban regeneration is a key tool
to achieve the above, as it represents a cost-efficient intervention.
Lastly, it is beyond any doubt that in order to survive on the rapidly-evolving map of port and
leisure cities, Kavala will have to reinvent its landscape and interface with the sea. The
waterfront represents the starting point for reimagining the urban structure of Kavala,
a key – and ambitious! – aspect of the present Agenda.
It is the aim of this document to not only provide the city with a strategic development agenda
endorsed by all stakeholders and based on the above-mentioned key pillars, but to also to
generate the next line up of transversal, large scale projects to be implemented in the
2014-2020 programming period, pursuing the use of structural funds as well as the
development of partnerships and favorable conditions for private investment. For the
STATUS Agenda to reap the desired benefits in Kavala, its foreseen initiatives will need to:
1. Ensure seamless integration of existing and new proposed urban functions (e.g. public
open spaces, the Urban Center, existing and proposed touristic facilities);
2. Provide the instruments, temporal and financial framework for Kavala to achieve its
goals and develop its cultural, heritage, touristic and economic potential;
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
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3. Ensure that development happens concomitant with the protection and valorisation of
the ample natural resources within the Municipality (especially in the Eastern area)
and the outstanding cultural heritage at Philippi, for which a UNESCO application has
been submitted recently;
4. Provide the mechanism for direct participation of key stakeholder groups, in a process
of co-design rather than of consultation or informing, for a long-term good governance
construction in Kavala.
The Vision for the 2030 Integrated Strategic Agenda of Kavala has been defined as the
following:
In 2030, the Kavala Municipality represents a world-renown touristic destination,
encompassing heritage of multi-continental importance, including the northernmost
UNESCO site in Greece. A year-round active touristic hub, the Municipality
distances itself from other destinations as a polyvalent destination with an ample
offer in what regards cultural, religious and archaeological heritage, therapeutic
and wellness, lifestyle, event and blue tourism.
Through the creative use of its local natural and cultural assets, Kavala has
managed to position itself as a highly liveable city, benefitting from an increase in
population – especially youth and qualified graduates – reflected in a steady
economic growth and a very well ranked technical university.
Its broad economic base and innovative approach to new business models have
aided the creation of a smart community with a strong identity, encouraging spill-
overs between its main economic sectors. Developing endogenously, Kavala has
invested mainly in tourism, but also in agriculture, energy, healthcare and
wellness, transport and logistics, an aspect which transformed the city into a stable
local economy, very attractive to foreign investors.
The waterfront is the city’s strong point, and its touristic port, walkable public
spaces and multipurpose buildings (including the Kavala Urban Center) represent
a point of convergence for tourists and inhabitants alike. The regeneration of
Kavala’s waterfront has reshaped the relationship of the city with Thassos, now a
secondary pole of attraction in the area.
Towards the north, the city keeps a strong relation with its hinterland, not only
through the endogenous economic connection of consuming local produce from
farmers and family-run agricultural businesses, but also through its touristic and
agritouristic activities. The network of local producers, which helped position
Kavala in the region as a quality agricultural product generator, is continuously
developing under a unique local brand selling internationally through the tourism
network.
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
12
Within the city, liveability is apparent through the platform of public spaces and the
quality of the town’s regenerated areas: Western access, upper downtown and
eastern access, not long ago struggling neighbourhoods, are now thriving
residential, industrial, creative areas. The Tobacco Warehouses and other
industrial heritage have been successfully redeveloped, making Kavala a city that
does not deny its history, but valorises every facet of it.
Last but not least, in 2030, Kavala represents a city where good governance,
collaboration and community engagement represent the pillars of development,
where dialogue is ensured through creative spaces for social convergence and
where long-term vision and continuity have aided in the reversal of the urban
exodus characteristic of small and middle-sized European cities.
Figure 2 - Illustration of the vision. Source: Kavala Poster Plan, TASCA Studio
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
13
3 The process leading to design of the ST/UA in Kavala Municipality
Based on the STATUS Methodology, the process of designing the Strategic Urban Agenda of
Kavala followed three major steps, to which a fourth one added in order to provide
instruments for implementation and measures for sustainability to the construction of the
Agenda (the WP5 activities – Urban Centers):
Figure 3 - The process of designing the Kavala Agenda (adaptation from source: UIRS Ljubljana)
3.1 Timeline of the overall process of the Strategic Agenda in Kavala Municipality
Figure 4 - Timeline of the process of ST/UA design (Adaptation after source: UIRS Ljubljana)
Kavala Municipality has had a continuous process of stakeholder engagement, going beyond
the 3(WP4) + 1(WP5) workshop methodology of STATUS. Kavala has acknowledged the
difficult task of shifting the paradigm of planning and engaging local stakeholders, therefore
organizing not 4, but 6 stakeholder meetings, including a preparatory workshop, as well
subsequent meetings with the Urban Center core group roughly every two weeks.
3.2 Operational Analysis
Kavala’s operational analysis has been conducted at the local level and has represented a
multilevel assessment of the key actors holding a stake in the city’s strategic development, the
urban/territorial state of art, including availability of data and Geodata, as well as the local
context in what concerns plans, policies and pre-existing investments.
Stakeholder analysis and involvement
Identifying development
problems
Finding and prioritizingsolutions
Designing the Strategic
Integrated Agenda
Creating the necessary
implementation tools
Feb. 2013WP3 Inception
3-4 Dec. 2013WP4 WS 1
17-19 Mar. 2014
WP4 WS2
16-18 Sept. 2014
WP4 WS 3WP5 UTC + UC
8 Oct. 2013WP3
Preparatory workshop
3 Oct. 2014WP4WS 4
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
14
One of the goals of the 3.1 Activity has been to diagnose the local state of the art of main
players and actors within the Municipality (institutions, associations etc.), stakeholders which
usually shape the agenda for interventions and projects in the urban realm.
In this context, the municipality of Kavala surveyed the main local stakeholders and identified
the ones mostly related to its proposed strategy and principles for the STATUS project as
presented in the kick–off meeting. Within this survey, it was important to delineate the actors
able to act within the Municipality of Kavala and, if possible, the ones having authority and
responsibility both within the urban web as well as the rural areas (from both former
Municipalities – Kavala and Philippi).
The key steps for stakeholder
involvement have been their
recording, classification,
evaluation and final selection of
stakeholders to be included in
the SIF. The result of the
analysis is shown in Figure 5:
an initial total number of 17
stakeholders identified, of
which 15 public institutions and
two are civil society and
education and research
institutions, with variable levels of power and interest.
In what concerns the initial identified stakeholders, the aim was to generate a core group
crystallized around the Kavala Municipality, in anticipation of the creation of broader "action
teams for the city”. The group has been further developed, and economic data from the
Operational Analysis has helped in identifying the key private and civil society stakeholders
to be further involved as well.
Operational Analysis
When starting the operational analysis in the STATUS project, the Municipality firstly aimed
at concentrating the most effort on delineating problems, solutions and proposals in the area’s
most dynamic sector – tourism. As most of the contribution within the city’s tertiary sector
(which itself represents 71% of Kavala’s GDP) comes from touristic activity, the initial
strategy aimed at planning for unified and four-season tourism, subsequently focusing on the
areas with the biggest potential: Krinides and Philippi, Kavala city center, the Water route.
At a later stage in the project, the focus shifted both in terms of site and subject prioritization:
15
11
Initial Stakeholder Involvement Form
Public institutions
Civil society
Private stakeholders
University, R&D
Figure 5 - Initial stakeholder list
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
15
1.
2.
3.
1. Kavala City
2. Water Route
3. Krinides and Philippi area
from an acupunctural delineation of touristic “spots” within Kavala’s territory to the
transversal unification of tourism possibilities within a network and under a local
all-encompassing brand;
from a solely tourism-driven strategy to the acknowledgement of the importance of
liveability in Kavala’s city center and making the city more attractive to its
inhabitants, youth, investors and tourists alike.
Area of intervention
The STATUS Agenda covers the whole municipal area, stemming from the merger of former
Municipality of Kavala with the Municipality of Philippi in 2011. Covering 350,61 km² and
having a total number of 78.454 inhabitants (2011 census), the municipality represents a peri-
urban, agro-industrial area, settled along the primary development corridor of international
and national importance (Via Egnatia, E-90). Traditionally recognized as a tourism and
transport hub, the area’s economic and administrative center is represented by the City of
Kavala.
Figure 6 - Kavala Municipality and the main intervention areas
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
16
While there aren’t
currently any pre-existing
urban development
projects in Kavala’s
pipeline, for the
Operational Analysis it
was important to also take
into consideration two
scenarios for the future
railway connection of the
City of Kavala with 1) the
City of Thessaloniki
directly and 2) the
Toxotes station in the City
of Drama.
1. 2. 3.
1. Old City – the Kavala Peninsula
2. Kavala Port
3. Waterfront
Figure 8 - Detailed area of intervention 1 - Kavala city and main areas of focus
Figure 7 - Kavala plan used in the operational analysis and stakeholder discussions
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
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In order to diagnose the state of the art of development in Kavala Municipality, the analysis
has been conducted both qualitatively and quantitatively, based on several criteria such as: the
strategic importance of the area in a larger context, influence and dependencies, accessibility,
demographics, basic socio-economic magnitudes, quality of urban and natural environment,
local economy, R&D and higher education.
The several challenges identified in the 3.2 SWOT analysis, for the whole region of
intervention, can be summarized as follows:
Location, Accessibility
and infrastructure Kavala has an important geopolitical position, but the terrain is consisting of
46% mountainous causes accessibility problems
Lack of a railway station. Potentially higher freight and passenger
accessibility if the railway connection scenarios become reality (medium-long
term), otherwise good accessibility provided by the E-90;
Poorly developed public transportation network, old and polluting transport
fleet;
Traffic congestion and pollution within Kavala City, particle pollution and
urban space taken over by cars and parking lots, especially on the waterfront;
Population, social
processes, workforce and
unemployment
Aging index is above the national average;
“Brain drain”: Leakage of young people looking for more and better job
opportunities in metropolitan Greek cities and across Europe
High unemployment rates (official around 18,5%, unofficial over 20%).
Natural resources Environmental problems and landscape deterioration due to extensive
historical quarry operations;
Significant natural resources, like mud baths, forests and an extensive
coastline, yet in a fragile balance: Potential boom in tourist numbers must be
controlled to avoid negative impact on natural resources;
Cultural heritage Many significant cultural resources are in the area, like the archaeological site
of Philippi and religious monuments. The problem is the inability to properly
promote them;
Economy High GDP per capita (around €16.578) with a competitive agricultural sector,
although there is a low percentage of exploitation and inclusion of new
technologies at the entrepreneurial activity of the area.
Dominance of traditional family-owned business model.
Absence of clusters and incubators
Primary reliance on tertiary sector (mainly tourism) and gradual abandonment
of primary sector;
Deterioration of market conditions for the local entrepreneurs and
professionals. Significant drop in land and real estate prices, yet low degree of
internationalization of the local economy with very low levels of
specialization.
Tourism There are scattered efforts for tourism development and there is a lack of
highly specialized human resources and workforce in the hospitality sector;
Although Kavala is a known summer destination (tourism contributes around
35% to GDP), the capacity of the regional administration to promote tourism
and to attract tourists from abroad needs to be more effective.
Inertia and inward attitude impede the development of new resources in the
tourist sector and the culture sector.
Highly competitive tourism infrastructure is developing fast in other area of
northern Greece and external markets such as: Turkey, Croatia, Albania etc.
Social infrastructure Problems equipping health infrastructure in small settlements;
Quality of living The area has extensive green with sport and leisure facilities, but there is
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
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limited green space in the city center of Kavala.
Traffic, noise and emissions are leading to negative impacts on the quality of
life in the City of Kavala.
Table 1- Summary of main challenges identified in the desk analysis for the Municipality of Kavala
In order to prepare the stakeholder workshops and to facilitate the maximization of dialogue
results, Kavala Municipality outlined all relevant challenges listed in the SWOT Analysis,
which represented a starting point in the discussion on Urban Problems (first local workshop).
Validating the initial premise, the conclusion established using the “highest potential”
criterion has been that the tourism potential represents the most relevant instrument for
local economic development. The overarching goal, in this stage of the project, has thus
addressed planning of an integrated and unified tourism product based on culture
(archaeological and religious sites and monuments) and natural resources, through:
motivating and committing local actors and stakeholders,
further incorporating strategic and participatory approaches in the planning process,
improving the quality of life and extending the “living space” of the city,
enriching the tourism product and planning for alternative – “4 season” tourism.
Based on these key focus points, the following main domains of discussion have been
delineated for the first two workshops:
interventions within the urban web of the City of Kavala: implementing Urban
Regeneration plans,
interventions on cultural monuments: creating and promoting cultural routes,
interventions on heritage sites and natural resources (Krinides Mudbaths and Spa,
“Water Route”): preserving and enhancing existing sites, planning infrastructure
interventions.
3.3 Urban programming
The participatory process conducted by Kavala in STATUS aimed at the co-design of its
Strategic Agenda, representing an instrument for creating sustainability through a negotiated,
better informed and long-term involved urban and territorial dialogue.
The key issue that the partner aimed at addressing through this process was the generation of
the most accurate picture of the actual development of Kavala and its obstacles,
subsequently the best supported set of realistic priority actions for the next years in order
to foster competitive development in the area.
Kavala Municipality foresaw the organization of a set of stakeholder workshops following the
STATUS principles which, apart from providing the necessary input for the Agenda, helped
contour a group of active stakeholders, able and willing to be further involved in the
implementation phase of the Agenda’s proposals. Urban Programming in Kavala has
developed the STATUS methodology further, in order to ensure the best results and uptake of
project activities at the local level:
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
19
1. A preparatory meeting has been held before Workshop 1 with the core group of the
Urban Task Force, hosting an open discussion on the topic of the workshops in order
to get important input for planning the local events in the most effective way.
2. The first workshop on local governance and urban problems introduced and engaged
local stakeholders in the project, in order to identify key issues in the area’s
development and to initiate a bilateral interaction between decision makers and the
local community. Within this workshop, the use of the Geoblog by local stakeholders
has been encouraged.
3. The second workshop aimed at determining the most realistic and applicable
solutions to the important issues defined beforehand, at providing new ideas, selecting
the necessary implementation tools, methodologies and techniques and strengthening
public awareness on the project and its contribution to the local areas.
4. The third workshop focused on the application of strategic agendas derived from the
two previous workshops through the finalization and implementation of selected
strategic planning projects with major interventions (creation of strategic agenda and
poster plan).
5. The results of the workshops have been used afterwards within an intensive 1-week
planning session, where international experts have worked in Kavala at finalizing the
Agenda and presenting it within a fourth workshop.
6. Finally, the results of the Kavala Strategic Agenda process have been publicly
presented by the local and expert team on 12.12.2014
At the time of the Agenda’s presentation within the Kavala Planning Week, the STATUS
project had already produced an encouraging number of activities, meetings and outputs:
Figure 9 - Public Participation in Kavala (October 2014)
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
20
Phases of stakeholder involvement
The Preparatory Meeting was held
with 16 participants representing the
core gorup of the Kavala UTF: The
Municpality and its development, EU
projects and planning departments,
experts, planners, surveyors and
STATUS local management. The aim of
this meeting was to introduce the future
workshop objectives, agenda and to open
a discussion with the stakeholders
interested in the participation to the
workshop.
The first STATUS Stakeholder workshop held in Kavala on December 3-4 based its
organization on the results of the preparatory meeting and produced important input in regards
to the urban and territorial problems in Kavala Municipality. The total number of participants
was 23, representing 21 stakeholders (Figure 11), from all stakeholder categories. The initial
identified group identified in the Inception Workpackage (Figure 5) has been completed with
private stakeholders as well, such as the Hoteliers Association, following the conclusions of
the Operational Analysis.
Successful dialogue developed during the
meeting, however initial level of interest
from the stakeholders has been average.
The main lesson learnt is that
participatory planning is a constant and
built up process which requires
continuous and consistent effort and thus
actions must be taken towards keeping the
interest of stakeholders alive.
Based on prior STATUS studies and
8 Oct. 2013Prep. Meeting
3 Dec. 2014 WP4 WS1
18 Mar. 2014
WP4 WS2
16 Sept 2014
WP4WS3
3 Oct 2014 WP4WS4
8 Oct. 2013Prep. Meeting
3 -4 Dec. 2014 WP4
WS1
18 Mar. 2014
WP4 WS2
16 Sept 2014
WP4WS3
3 Oct 2014 WP4WS4
12
4
Meeting attendance by stakeholder status
Public institutions
Civil society
Privatestakeholders
University, R&D
Figure 10 - Preparatory meeting attendance by stakeholder status
17
41
Workshop attendance by stakeholder status
PublicinstitutionsCivil society
PrivatestakeholdersUniversity, R&D
Figure 11 - 1st Workshop attendance by stakeholder status
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
21
Tourism & Culture
Environment
Urban Dev. &
Accesibility
Entrepre-neurship
meetings, 4 workgroups have been formed
tackling the most problematic subjects for
the development of Kavala.
The environment group
Aspects concerning over-consumption of
resources, inadequate protection of natural
heritage with limited human and economic
resources, inadequate environmental planning
and the lack of a Masterplan for the Philippi area,
water infrastructure problems.
One of the main concerns of the group has been the
expansion of Kavala’s urban area, having a negative effect on the landscape and
especially on coastal erosion.
The conclusion of the group is that the environmental problems discussed are of medium
concern and can be addressed with a relatively low cost through soft interventions and
proper planning;
The tourism and culture group
Main concerns were the poor destination branding, tourism infrastructure and
accessibility, as well as the lack of funding for tourism investments.
Lack of destination visibility, support structures, disorganized rural amenities and
generally underdeveloped tourism infrastructure (not sufficient, not diversified, not
connected and not “smart”).
While there is a remarkable tourism product, the conclusion of the group was that it
requires proper planning, integration, common branding, all issues which require a
moderately low investment cost.
The urban development and accessibility group
Aspects concerning public infrastructure have been discussed: lack of well-developed
connections with the airport, modest port facilities, inadequate and insufficient public
transport. Also main problems of concern, the uncontrolled parking, city center
congestion, pollution, lack of sidewalks and cycling lanes have been debated as well.
Regarding the unstructured, not valorized public space, its low quality has been deemed
in need of regeneration, and so has the ample heritage of abandoned places and
buildings. The need to redefine the city-sea relation and to improve the quality of the
seafront is considered key;
Improving the quality of urban space and accessibility has been considered a difficult
priority, as the problems identified require urban interventions and financing of technical,
high-cost projects.
The entrepreneurship group
Figure 12 - Workshop 1 working groups
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
22
Topics of discussion: high unemployment, deterioration of rural economy, nonexistent
agri-tourism infrastructure, low competitiveness of agroindustry SMEs, lack of
entrepreneurship support structures (clusters, incubators) and outmigration.
Due to the current economic climate, the group problems are considered to be a very high
priority, and private initiative and state funding are needed to overcome current obstacles
The main multidimensional problems defined as a priority, according to the results and
outcomes of the 1st workshop, have been the following:
Figure 13 - The cross-domain priority problems of Kavala. Source: D4.2 Kavala
The 2nd STATUS Workshop was held between 17-19 March 2014 in Krinides and Kavala
City, continuing the involvement of the defined stakeholders in order to determine the most
realistic and applicable solutions to the important issues defined in the 1st workshop, to
provide new ideas, under alternative points of view, regarding the solution of these problems
and to set specific projects and areas for the strategic agenda.
The meeting successfully strengthened the bilateral interaction between decision makers and
local community and the public awareness on the project and its contribution to the local
areas. The stakeholders (36 in total) activated within the initial 4 Workgroups (Figure 12) and
discussed potential solutions to the following problems:
Management and promotion of archaeological and religion sites – absence of
strategic marketing plans and the poor destination branding and cultural promotion.
With the UNESCO candidacy for the Philippi in submission, the following have been
considered priority actions: protection of the pre-historic archaeological sites,
improvement of the accessibility to the Philippi site (roundabout), promotion of
archaeological heritage.
8 Oct. 2013Prep. Meeting
3 -4 Dec. 2014 WP4
WS1
17-19 Mar. 2014
WP4 WS2
16 Sept 2014
WP4WS3
3 Oct 2014 WP4WS4
1. Tourism resources and services: poor destination branding and promotion activities, absence
of strategic marketing planning, inadequate infrastructure and services, accessibility,
marketing and support structures;
2. Inadequate elements in urban planning (public transport infrastructure, lack of sidewalks and
walkways for easy access, no infrastructure for people with disabilities)
3. Port Infrastructure (both trading and passenger port infrastructure is considered to be poor
and of low capacity)
4. Connection to airport (public urban transportation to the airport is inadequate and without
frequent service) and absence of railway connection
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
23
Tourism Infrastructure – lack of technological support to tourists, insufficient access
to information, absence of an organized network of tourism enterprises and a network
to support tourism professionals. Already-deployed actions consist of the development
of a master plan for tourism (SEE INTOURACT and STATUS-based). Proposed
activities: interconnection of archaeological sites and improvement of accessibility
and visibility, exploitation of existing survey regarding the restoration of
archaeological sites.
Alternative and Spa Tourism – low economic profile of tourists, lack of support
structures for the promotion of alternative tourism of the region, disorganized existing
ecotourism infrastructure. Solutions in development include the initiation of the
Krinides mud bath master plan and a market survey on standardization and promotion
of mud as an end product. Identified priorities: improvement and valorization of the
“water route” and new sport venues.
Cultural Activities – poor marketing and organization of cultural events. Solutions
proposed: upgrading existing festival quality and marketing approach,
development of an integrated cultural calendar, re-use of the elderly center in
Krinides to host also recreation activities
Public Infrastructure and public space – lack of sidewalks and walkways,
insufficient urban public transport infrastructure, low public space quality. Proposed
interventions: regeneration of public space in Kavala city and Krinides, development
of a detour road for Amygdaleonas, development of a touristic bus route and better
connection with the airport in Thessaloniki.
Water and Waste Management problems due to poor system conditions, dumps and
unfit sewer network. Several solutions are already in development (technical
reparation works and construction of water tanks), while proposed future planned
activities have been a better environmental planning (incl. restoration studies) and
expansion of existing water network towards Kefalari.
Environmental Pressures on the countryside – inadequate forest protection, small
scale environmental destructions by breeders and the insufficient planning in the area
of the Philippi. Several solutions have been proposed, of which the definition of new
planned livestock zones and the establishment of a collaboration framework for the
delineation of hunting zones and demarcation of archaeological sites (Krinides).
Agro-tourism & Agricultural Economy improvement. Proposed solutions: constant
oversee and alert for public and EU fund opportunities, further use of existing Easy
Trip platform, further development of local producer exhibitions, online promotion,
etc.
Entrepreneurial Networks .Proposed intervention: development of surveys and
business plan to create a business incubator for the local enterprises in tourism to
further develop spa tourism and extend the “wine routes” project.
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
24
Figure 14 - Geoblog proposals from the workgroups in Kavala
Between the second and third workshop, the local administration in the Kavala Municipality
changed and the accession of a new mayor presented the opportunity of validating the
strategic direction of the Agenda with different stakeholders as well. The third workshop, held
16-18 September 2014, targeted the new institutional framework for spatial planning, the
provisions regarding design for the region, a summary of already existing results, consultation
with interested parties and possible funding sources.
During this meeting, four alternative
scenarios were realised and each
scenario was analysed under four pillars
(economic base, model of spatial
organization, environmental strategy
and feasibility):
1. Development without intervention,
2. Priority to tourism,
3. Emphasis on the environment and
the primary sector
4. Promoting the development model
of the Kavala-Krinides dipole.
8 Oct. 2013Prep. Meeting
3 -4 Dec. 2014 WP4
WS1
17-19 Mar. 2014
WP4 WS2
16 -18 Sept 2014
WP4WS3
3 Oct 2014 WP4WS4
13
17
1
Design WS and UTF Formation workshop attendance
Publicinstitutions
Civil society
Privatestakeholders
University, R&D
Figure 15 - Workshop 3 attendance by stakeholder status
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
25
The conclusion of the workshop is that Kavala should pursue the tourism-centric approach,
and that there is an urgent need to select the appropriate financial tools to support the
implementation of the chosen scenario.
The STATUS operational Planning Week held in Kavala 29 September - 3 October witnessed
a team of international experts creating the city's Integrated Strategic Agenda for 2030. The
Romanian-Italian-Dutch-Hungarian team lead by Urbasofia and Eurodite focused on four
major pillars of intervention, supported by innovative implementation tools consistent with
2014-2020 European opportunities:
1. Tourism and Heritage
2. The Waterfront
3. Urban Regeneration
4. Entrepreneurship
The solutions have been presented to the
stakeholders of Kavala Municipality and
have received positive feedback.
Following the presentation, the proposals
have been detailed in the following
chapters of the Kavala Strategic Agenda.
3.4 Kavala’s Urban Task Force and Urban Center
The Urban Task Force (UTF) of Kavala will be a constant generator of proposed solutions for
the problems faced by the Municipality and its local area. After the workshops, an incipient
group of stakeholders, citizens, experts and sector representatives has been identified, together
with those experts and local decision makers dynamic enough to enable the Municipality to
create a representative UTF for the area.
The Kavala UTF will be the result of an ongoing process of stakeholder pool distillation,
as for the municipality the process does not end with STATUS but rather begins with it,
through the constitution of the Kavala Urban Center. The Urban Task Force initially
crystallized in the STATUS stakeholder workshops represents thus a first step in providing
the city with an active group supporting the capacity building of the local urban system as a
whole to define, evaluate and apply solutions for pressing problems. On the other hand the
KUC group represents a task force in itself, and while common grounds and parallelism exist
between these two groups both overseen by Kavala Municipality, the relation between them
will need to be defined in the following period of implementation.
8 Oct. 2013Prep. Meeting
3 -4 Dec. 2014 WP4
WS1
17-19 Mar. 2014
WP4 WS2
16 -18 Sept 2014
WP4WS3
3 Oct 2014 WP4WS4
11
318
2
Final design presentation workshop attendance
Publicinstitutions
Civil society
Privatestakeholders
University, R&D
Figure 16 - Final design presentation workshop attendance
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
26
Kavala chose not to draft a formal collaboration document between the current members of
the UTF due to the ongoing nature of the group’s consolidation process. However, the
principles of the STATUS Partnership Agreement still apply: dialogue and communication,
collaboration, coordination, continuity and consensus.
The objectives of the UTF are to plan, coordinate and monitor relevant activity of the
stakeholders and to implement the Strategic Agenda in line with local needs, existing
planning documents and feasibility studies. The purpose of the informal agreement in Kavala
has been to create the good practice of open and recurring discussion between the Urban Task
Force members.
With regard to the appointed coordinator for the UTF, the Kavala Municipality will hold the
role, functioning together with the Technical Chamber as the “institutional core”. Starting
configuration of the Kavala UTF:
Function / Actor type KAVALA UTF STAKEHOLDERS
Core Urban Task Force
group
1. Municipality of Kavala
2. Public Benefit Organization “DIMOFELIA”
3. Technical Chamber of Kavala
Territorial / Regional public
authorities and institutions
for development
4. City Council of Kavala
5. Technical Works Department of the Municipality of
Kavala
6. Tourism Department of “DIMOFELIA”
7. 18TH Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities Ephorate
Public service companies 8. Clay SPA & Therapy Centre of Philippi
Research and development
institution
9. Technical Educational Institution of East Macedonia
and Thrace
Private company 10. EGNATIA AVIATION
11. Economical Chamber of East Macedonia
12. Agricultural Club of Kavala
13. Cycling Club of Kavala “CYCLOTRON”
14. Hellenic Trekking Club of Kavala
15. Skiing & Trekking Club of Kavala
16. Architects’ Club of Kavala
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
27
The Urban Center will be the result of the constant effort of the City Hall and the UC Core
group, a group of institutions and individuals with the main attributions of:
1. Coordinating the Urban Task Force of Kavala in the implementation of the Strategic
Agenda
2. Creating ownership within the Urban Task Force through the designation of
responsibility and working groups
3. Deciding the programme of the Agenda implementation process;
4. Coordinating the activities of the Urban Center, as a key tool for supporting public
participation in municipal decision making.
5. Keeping a direct link with the local, regional, national and European levels on matters
of urban development and ensuring the continuation of redevelopment process in
Kavala through implementation of new projects with new funding.
Figure 17 - Roles and relations of the Urban Center in Kavala
In STATUS Project, the UC is defined as a megaphone for the decision makers, an antenna
for public opinion and needs and, lastly, an arena for urban development negotiation. In
Kavala, the Urban Center will essentially keep the same model, following the best practice of
the Urban Center in Bologna. The Kavala UC is a venue for hosting the meetings &
workshops of the Urban Task Force; a working/conference/exhibition space as well a venue to
facilitate the open dialogue with the public urban development intervention.
The Urban Center is essentially a platform and a forum for bringing the citizens together and
share their ideas and views on the development of the region.
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
28
Operation mode, including personnel and funding
The Kavala Urban Center will function between the working hours 10:00-14:00 and 17:00-
21:00, Monday to Friday, and will be coordinated by the Urban Center core group, a team of
8 key stakeholder representatives from the Urban Task Force:
One full time employee will be accompanied by an member of UC during the morning shift,
and one part-time employed person will be active during the evening shift.
Chosen location
The Kavala Urban Center has been established within the Municipal Tobacco Warehouse,
operating now as the City’s Cultural Centre. The former warehouse is a city landmark, easily
accessible, geographically located at the very center of Kavala. The building is owned by the
Municipality, and open space available for, plenty of space for exhibition and workshops, currently
hosting cultural uses which attract people to visit.
The Center is located in a first phase at the ground floor, easily accessible for visitors, but
plans are to expand the function within the building to the upper stories as well. Today, it
operates with the support of the Municipality and is coordinated by a committee consisted by
the Planning and Development Direction of Kavala, the Development Department of the
Public Benefit Organization of Kavala and the EU Program Office of the City.
Implementation and achieving first steps
Core Urban Center group 1. Municipality of Kavala – Department of
development and planning
2. Public Benefit Organization “DIMOFELIA”
3. Municipality of Kavala – EU Programme Office
Figure 18 - Urban Center
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
29
The implementation of the Urban Center will be achieved in two phases, first of which has
already been conducted and is detailed in the previous chapter. The Operational function is
provided through the Municipality of Kavala’s Department of Development and Planning,
with content management ensured by the three Core Group stakeholders.
In a second phase, the Urban Center concept and function will move away from direct public
management and the constitution of an NGO coordinating its operation will be considered.
The team in charge will be expanded based on results and stakeholder involvement within the
previous phase, to encompass a consortium of dynamic actors in the city which proved their
active participation to matters of urban development.
One of the most important aspects to consider regarding the way the Urban Center will work
is how to consolidate its position within the city as a space for public participation, proposal
and production of the citizens’ own urban development projects. Consequently, its marketing
strategy will be strongly linked to the public consultation activities for City Hall’s planning
documents in preparation. As part of this strategy, the first activities to be organized within
the Kavala Urban Center after its opening will be the public hearings on the Municipality’s
new Operational Plan for the next 5 years, as a way to establish and demonstrate the scope of
the Urban Center.
Sustainability
The sustainability of the Urban Center in Kavala relies on its ability to target a wider range of
stakeholders in the region, which in turn will ensure a wider range of topics will be addressed,
fostering the ability to tackle more complex projects.
The Urban Center will consolidate itself based on content and activities in order to continue.
In a first step, the content will be provided by the Strategic Agenda, which will represent the
tool of the Urban Center to implement a long-term Structural Plan for the city. Translating
this novel instrument into practice in Kavala will be a challenge since the city does not draft
planning instruments for longer terms than the Operational Plans, but it can be achieved
through the Urban Center acting as a liaison between the Urban Task Force and the local,
regional, national and EU levels and shifting the paradigm of planning through consistent
participation.
The sustainability of activities will be ensured by the additional role of the Urban Center and
its Core Group to constantly search for opportunities and new sources of funding to
implement new projects designed together with the Urban Task Force.
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
30
WA
TER
FRO
NT
REG
ENER
ATI
ON
ENTR
EPR
ENEU
RSH
IP
TOU
RIS
M
KAVALA’S STRATEGIC TERRITORIAL AGENDA
PLANNING TOOLS: COHESION POLICY FUNDS, CLLD, ITI, PPP/PPPP,
NATIONAL/REGIONAL PROGRAMMES, LOANS, PRIVATE
4 Goals and projects of the Strategic Agenda
The elements of the proposal can be perfectly portrayed a Greek temple:
Figure 19 - Kavala Strategic Territorial Agenda Pillars
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
31
A. PILLAR 1: THE DUAL LANDSCAPE AND DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM
Rationale
The issues that Kavala is confronted with in regard to its touristic attractiveness and
relationship with the adjacent territories (either challengers, like Thassos Island, or supporting
territory of interest, like the northern natural landscape of the Municipality) lies in the lack of
a coherent and integrated touristic strategy to encompass all its vast attractions. Rather
than aim for the classical “sea, sand and sun” trio that Greece has mostly been known for, in
order to consolidate itself as a terminus destination and touristic regional capital (rather than
gateway to more attractive beaches), Kavala should define its own identity. This would mean
moving away from the highly unsustainable and unbalanced seasonal mass tourism model,
which creates congestion in the city, environmental damage, a limited amount of
preponderantly low-end jobs and an under-utilization of available resources, to an
endogenous tourism development model, by promoting in a concerted way all assets that
the Municipality possesses.
The sustainable redevelopment of tourism in Kavala should creatively reinterpret attractions
(cultural, religious, natural, etc) into immersive, 5-sense authentic experiences, which can be
offered year-round. In order to achieve this objective of the Agenda, the tourism of Kavala
should be built on collaboration, integration and interconnection of services and products,
creativity, quality and authenticity, but also on preservation and protection of the
extraordinary-value heritage.
Objectives and priorities:
1. DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM. Kavala as an all-season touristic capital of the
region –endogenous and sustainable tourism by transforming the Municipality into a
terminus destination rather than a gateway:
a. Transforming seasonality into year-round attractivity and expansion of the
tourism period through flexible and innovative touristic products
b. Upgrading, integrating and promoting the existing tourism services, through a
common brand approach and the creation of targeted packages
c. Expanding target markets through the development of creative alternative
products and activities
d. Developing sustainable tourism businesses through the exploitation of
“distinctive competency” niches: cultural heritage, archaeology and religion,
touring and path tourism, therapeutic and wellness, special group tourism (elderly,
sports veterans)
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
32
2. THE DUAL LANDSCAPE. Kavala as an attractive, diverse and productive
environment:
a. Structuring the agrarian landscape and connecting the touristic nuclei of
European importance in the plain area
b. Developing soft infrastructure for wellness, outdoor activities and Greek
culture experience tourism (agri-tourism, gastronomy, authentic lifestyle) in
the mountainous area of Kavala
Figure 20 - Development of four-season, alternative tourism
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
33
B. PILLAR 2: THE WATERFRONT AND THE PLATFORM OF PUBLIC SPACES
Rationale
Kavala is a seaside town.
The sealine represents the main landscape in and of Kavala. Kavala is mainly perceived
from the sea (maritime traffic) and one of its main potentialities is represented by tourism. For
these reasons, the waterfront represents the starting point to think about the future
urban structure of Kavala. Treating about public spaces (street, passages, promenade,
parking places, squares, sidewalk, etc.), their platform starts from the waterfront, which is the
main front not only for Kavala city centre but also for the all territorial structure of Kavala,
including the Philippi archaeological settlement, after the reunion of the two municipalities.
Figure 21 – The historical city from the sealine
The specific waterfront of Kavala is mainly significant for different reasons:
1. The compacted dense city and the historical city of Kavala gravitate around the
waterfront, which could represent the ‘vertebral spine’ of the city and of the
surrounding areas;
2. It represents one of the main income sources of the GDP Kavala system;
3. Accessibility. Rethinking the waterfront means to reconsider the way to enter into
Kavala and to move in Kavala. The very special topography of the city (from the
very sloped hillside to the sea line), the structure of the regional area (connection
Drama-Kavala-Thessaloniki) and the urban mobility in and out Kavala towards the
‘dual landscape’ should be thought structuring a hierarchy in the mobility
management and classifying the waterfront as an environmental and special area.
In 2016 the master plan of the coast has to be renewed by the Port Authority. This
could be an opportunity to invest in strategic decisions on the mobility scheme of the
city, seeing how Kavala is on the tenth EU corridor;
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
34
4. It appears necessary and strategic to strengthen and structure the relationship
between city and port. Kavala’s identity also depends on it;
5. Because of its linear structure, the waterfront represents an opportunity to establish
sustainable and ‘soft’ connections between different parts of the city (from the western
to the eastern regeneration areas is 5 km) crossing its linear front;
6. Waterfront could represent the main environmental artifice to protect the city from
southern winds;
7. To regenerate waterfront should represent an opportunity to extend touristic season
in Kavala (more than 6 months) and to implement different forms of
entrepreneurship (receptivity, energetic sources, sports, trade fair, business
incubators and support centre);
8. Actors involved and interested in the waterfront are both public and private
(Municipality, Port Authority, Ministry of the maritime transport, shipping companies,
real estate investors, etc.). Their action should be coordinated in order to have a unique
strategic vision. Also for this reason, a Waterfront Task Force, as a part of the Urban
Task Force, should be created in order to manage all the different interests on it.
Nowadays, the waterfront includes some strategic points (abandoned swimming pool, bus
station, etc.) and services (the marina, the merchant port, commercial and leisure facilities, the
cruises ships to Thassos, Limnos, Lesvos, having +30% traffic in 2013 compared to 2012,
etc.) which are not sufficiently used and enhanced. They need to be regenerated and/or
rethought through a logic system. This logic should be extremely correlated with the inner
part of the city and its potentiality in terms of territorial development.
If it is true that the waterfront represents ‘the neglected part’ of the city, the urban
regeneration of Kavala should start from there, pointing out objectives and priority
projects of this redevelopment.
Objectives and priorities:
1. A NEW SEALINE (like a new skyline) of Kavala starting from setting and building new
public services on it:
1.1 The realization of the programmed touristic port;
1.2 Renewal of the waterfront (public spaces connected from the sea to the city
urban structure) and building an underground parking place in order to avoid traffic through
the sealine;
1.3 Multipurpose buildings on the waterfront containing services for ‘four seasons
tourism’, culture, health hospitality and business (e.g. Urban Center Kavala possibly
integrated with a business support centre for ‘start up’, a new covered swimming pool, trade
fair building, ecc).
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
35
Figure 22 – View of the waterfront from citadel
2. MOBILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY items:
2.1 to implement and complete the inner bypass road (EO Drama Kavala) as it is
already previewed in planning tools;
2.2 to create a penetration loop for private mobility inner the city that avoid the
sealine and connects to the inner bypass road. The underground parking place along the
waterfront should represent the condition to boost the city and to make a very strategic
operation of urban regeneration for a touristic city like Kavala;
2.3 to transform the coast in a long bicycle path (7 km), protected from traffic cars
connecting Batis beach to the extreme part of the historical centre, a very panoramic point, a
sort of ‘Punta della Dogana’ in Venice;
2.4 to move the touristic bus station outside of the city centre (one possibility is on
the inner bypass road), in order to accomplish environmental objectives and to make more
efficient connections between it and the city centre (e.g. electric shuttle bus);
2.5 to move the urban and sub-regional bus station outside of the city centre
(western part). It should be close to the penetration road in order to have a fast connection to
Filippi archaeological settlement and Mud Baths and there should arrive the shuttle from
regional airport (Kavala and Thessaloniki) and to Batis beach;
2.6 because of the very hard topography to provide a funicular cable from the
waterfront to the hillside, with could be connected with the touristic bus station or the Region
of Cross (from 0,8 to 1,5 km long). This kind of transport should be very efficient and
spectacular to also appreciate the natural environment and landscape of Kavala.
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
36
3. THE PLATFORM OF PUBLIC SPACES:
3.1 All the mobility projects should be accompanied by interventions on public
spaces in order to get them accessible and livable (e.g. the new bus station could be an
opportunity to regenerate part of the area, even with commercial services; above the
underground parking place, there could be a very structured platform for a green park and
passages, etc.);
3.2 To transform the city center in an environmental zone 30km/h (0,3 sq km),
where pedestrians (older and younger) should feel safe while walking and cars are strictly
ruled. This part of the city should be connected with the institutional part (e.g. Town hall
square, etc.);
3.3 The commercial and touristic regeneration of the historical city should be
accompanied by transforming it in a pedestrian zone, where only resident cars are admitted.
C. PILLAR 3: URBAN REGENERATION
Rationale
Urban regeneration is not a goal on its own, but rather a tool helping larger strategic goals to
unfold:
Keeping educated youth in town (providing diverse and affordable housing, jobs)
Diversifying economy and stimulating local initiatives (incubation)
Connecting to the surrounding region (markets and fairs)
Opening the waterfront (restaurants and leisure services)
Creating new attractions for tourism (public spaces)
Regeneration is a cost-efficient intervention, building on existing resources. It is therefore
important to identify the resources that represent potentials in the development of the city and
the region, taking into account current local processes:
1. The city suffers from “brain drain”: educated youth, an important resource, are
leaving the city for better job opportunities. It is crucial to keep this youth in town, as
qualified graduates can turn around the city’s economy and demography, making it
more attractive and economically more viable.
2. Kavala’s Technical Institute (TEI) is an important player in addressing youth,
having a great potential for the city and being able to play an important role not only
in providing opportunities to its graduates, but also in acting as a catalyst in the
development of the city’s unique energy sector. This sector, besides being a growth
engine in its relationship with large energy companies, might also enable small
enterprises to connect with each other and to grow into stable local businesses.
3. Family-run agricultural businesses are an important link to the region’s food
production: based in the city’s hinterland region, they represent a quality that is a
strong attracting force for tourists and other consumers. A structure or network to
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
37
showcase regional products can highlight the quality of local agricultural production
and reposition the city in the larger region and beyond.
4. Kavala’s seaside and topography are a spectacular magnet for the city’s tourism:
better access to the sea and a richer infrastructure to help mobility in the city and the
region will certainly increase the number of visitors.
5. The city’s existing architectural heritage, unused buildings and spaces offer high
quality environment for new activities, to create another dimension in the city’s offer
for residents, entrepreneurs and tourists.
The moment of economic stagnation also represents a unique opportunity to rethink Kavala’s
development strategy. Gradual development, instead of large investments, allows soft
rehabilitation, experimentation and a better understanding of both demands and the city’s
resources.
Figure 23 - Existing areas of regeneration
Kavala’s current strategic plan identifies residential and industrial zones which represent
critical regeneration areas. Their renovation will improve the quality of life as well as the
attractiveness and productivity of the targeted neighborhoods. Beside these areas though,
there is a set of additional potential regeneration zones which are decisive for creating better
access to the city’s most important asset, the waterfront, and for developing links between
various neighborhoods. These additional regeneration zones include the areas of Western
Access, Upper Downtown and Eastern Access, and are included in the Agenda as long-term
proposals for the next Strategic Plan. As part of this latter area, this Pillar contains a special
tool for regeneration, the Aqueduct Panorama Path.
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
38
Figure 24 - New proposals for regeneration areas
D. PILLAR 4: ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Rationale
Kavala’s economy can be characterized by its potential for growth. Many economic
‘production’ factors are inside, or in the direct vicinity of, the city: skilled labor, agricultural
land and touristic sites with global attractiveness. However, the full potential of these
production factors are not exploited to the full. In economic terms: there is a lot of unused
capacity.
Currently, the economy is characterised by a huge dependency on services. Ca. 71% of the
city’s economy is based on services which mostly connected to tourism.
The tourism industry is mostly active from April until September, so ca. 6 months per year.
Currently there are 1500 hotel beds in Kavala. During high season this often proves not
enough and off season too much, asthe occupancy rate is very much lower. Exact data about
the number of beds and occupancy rates in Kavala is not available.
Visitors to one touristic site area are not automatically visiting other sites in the area. The mud
baths in Krinides attract 50.000 visitors per year. The baptistery of Lydia only 2 km further
along the road attracts only 7000 visitors per year. An increase of 30% in cruise shipping last
year did not lead to any significant increases in other parts of the local economy.
Creating cross connections between tourism sites and services seems a magnificent
opportunity to create more added-value services.
Across the board, the companies in the Kavala area are traditional – family oriented
businesses. For seizing the opportunities that the Kavala area is posing the entrepreneurial
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
39
spirit in the area needs to be further directed towards new cooperation and business models.
Of course there are already good examples, such as Egnatia Aviation that seems to combine
the potential of the climatic conditions with the attractiveness of the Kavala area for clients to
spend a significant time for training. However, across the board innovation and spill-over
effects within and between sectors are on too low a level.
In order to further increase the output of the Kavala economic production factors we propose
to invest in four economic actions.
1. Broaden the economic activities of Kavala based on present resources;
2. Create clusters that will encourage cooperation and innovation within the sectors;
3. Stimulate development of new business models in the area;
4. Create smart communities.
Kavala has many opportunities to broaden its economic base. Many assets connected to
economic diversification are already present in the area. Basically, the most promising
economic sectors are:
1. Tourism ( religious, sport, urban, culture)
2. Agriculture ( local foods / wines, bulk)
3. Energy (solar/ oil-gas / hybrid systems)
4. Health care and wellness
5. Transport and logistics (port: aviation)
Each sector is in a different state of development, with the touristic sector clearly being most
advanced in its development. Kavala is putting much effort into strengthening the touristic
sector. Rightfully so, however, the other economic sectors are posing great potential for
further development as well. For sustainable development of the city on the long run, it is
important to not be fully dependent on one economic sector. Better to have an alternative mix
of economic activities that, at best, cross-fed from each other. It is not the ambition of this
Agenda to go into further analysis of assets and the growth potential of each of these sectors.
However, the Strategic Agenda should clearly underline the need to diversify the economic
base and further invest in the potentials and spill-overs between these sectors.
Objectives and priorities:
1. CREATING CLUSTERS THAT WILL ENCOURAGE COOPERATION AND
INNOVATION WITHIN THE SECTORS
Kavala has several economic sectors that need further innovative input in order to reach better
valorization. A much proved model to create new activities and innovation within an
economic sector is to set up a cluster.
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
40
Clusters can be defined as geographic concentrations of interconnected businesses, suppliers,
and associated institutions (like universities, associations) in a particular field.1
Development of clusters can support the economic success of a region. The best known
example of a cluster is ‘Silicon Valley’ in the San Fransisco Bay area. However, there are
thousands of clusters all over the world focussing on many different economic (niche) sectors
often bringing much innovation and economic growth for the regions involved.
Well-developed clusters can influence decisions of companies to invest in an area. Basically,
companies base their decision on several factors:
availability of resources;
access to information,
objectives of each company;
pressure upon firms towards innovation and investments.
Generally, clusters consist of the following organizations (four leaf clover model):
1. Universities, research institutes – as suppliers of
innovative products, technologies, processes and services;
2. Industry, especially SMEs – which represent the
innovation demand and in an ideal case they should
determine and absorb the offer mentioned above;
3. Authorities responsible for the process facilitation
(ministries, regional, local authorities, etc.).
4. The fourth actor being the catalyst organizations –
consulting firms, specialized in the technological transfer
and innovation field, technological transfer centers, etc.
2. STIMULATING DEVELOPMENT OF NEW BUSINESS MODELS IN THE
AREA, ESPECIALLY FOR TOURISM
In order to attract new investors and creative entrepreneurs to the Kavala area, innovative
initiatives and new ideas should be stimulated to be put in the market. Especially, the tourism
sector poses good opportunities for creating so-called ‘low hanging fruit’, easily achieved
projects and programmes requiring little effort from the City Hall or other involved
stakeholders. Initiatives in this field could produce spill-over effects into other sectors. Ideas
in this field are the creation of large events (e.g. on the Philippi site), touristic and historical
routes, communities around a certain topic, apps, etc.
1 *PORTER, M. E. (1998), Clusters and the new economics of competition, in: Harvard Business Review, Nov./Dec., Vol. 76 Issue 6, p. 77
Figure 25 - The four-leaf clover
model
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
41
3. CREATING SMART COMMUNITIES
We live in an information society. Innovative regions should collect and provide the right data
on a wide variety of topics so entrepreneurs will be inspired and enabled to create new
businesses on the base of that data.
Detailed data collection e.g. on target groups, economic input and
output flows, products sold, existing market gaps, etc. will create
incentives in various economic fields. For instance, if more data
becomes available on the number, origin and destination of
tourists, entrepreneurs can create custom-made services and
goods for these target groups. But also in the field of agriculture,
energy, health and transport there is a lot of information that is neither collected nor shared.
Information is an essential element for entrepreneurship.
How could the municipality of Kavala operationalize these economic action points? We
suggest three practical activities which are simple and will reinforce each other’s results:
1) Start a formal cooperation within the Kavala four leaf clover model
2) Start business incubators
3) Start a business support center
These three activities are closely related and could be initiated on a very short notice by the
municipality of Kavala as part of a local economic development programme. These activities
will kick-start the entrepreneurial and innovation cycles in Kavala. Once these processes are
started, innovation cycles will increasingly go faster in time, feeding into other
entrepreneurial activities of the region. All the suggested activities are low-budget initiatives
and could be co-financed out of the structural funds available for Greece. Additional
international expertise could be brought in via EU wide programmes, such as INTERREG,
Horizon 2020 or COSME. Within Chapter 6 – Project fiches, a more detailed description of
the proposed priority projects is given.
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
42
Table 2: List of prioritized projects
no. Name of the project Topic Funding
opportunities
Opportunities for
partnership
0 The Kavala Urban
Center
Governance and
ST/A
Implementation:
Culture, Heritage
and Tourism, Social
innovation
"Public Sector Reform"
Greek OP
Horizon 2020 – “Societal
Challenges”
URBACT III
Private funding / PPP(P)
KUC will be
established through
partnership
1 The platform of
public spaces
Pillar 2. Urban
development,
public space,
accessibility
"Transport, Infrastructure,
Environment &
Sustainable Development”
Greek OP 2014-2020
URBACT III
Grants and funds, PPP
2 Kavala Mobility Plan Pillar 2. Mobility,
accessibility, public
space, urban
development
"Transport, Infrastructure,
Environment &
Sustainable Development”
Greek OP
Horizon 2020 “Smart,
Green and Integrated
Transport”
Public Private Partnership
Kavala Municipality,
the Technical
Chamber, the Port
Authority, local and
regional transport
operators, other
investors
3 Urban renewal of
Kavala’s waterfront
Pillar 2: Waterfront
& Platform of
Public Spaces
"Transport, Infrastructure,
Environment &
Sustainable Development”
Greek OP and other state
and EU funding
programmes
Partnership with Port
Authority, Kavala
Technical Chamber,
Ministry of the
maritime transport,
shipping companies,
real estate investors.
Potential
Waterfront TF
4 E-Platform:
Formalization of
entrepreneurship
sector cooperation
Pillar 4:
Entrepreneurship
Direct funding from
entrepreneurs (very small
investment)
E-platform will be
established through
partnership
5 Upgrading and
expanding the
Kavala brand
Pillar 1: Tourism Local & national
funding;
PPP
COSME Programme
Creative Europe
Greek OPs: TIESD, RD,
ROP
INTERREG Europe
URBACT III
Local entrepreneurs,
Historical society,
local food and wine
producers, large
hotels and venues for
events, tourism
companies, sports
and wellness
businesses, places of
worship in the area.
6 Eastern Access 3: Urban Private small investment, Owners, Chamber of
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
43
Regeneration Structural funds: ERDF
for renovation spaces and
ESF for training and skill
development, H2020
Commerce, Port
Authority
7 Western Access 3: Urban
Regeneration
Private small investment,
Structural funds: ERDF
for renovation spaces and
ESF for training and skill
development, H2020
TEI, Owners,
Chamber of
Commerce
8 Upper Downtown 3: Urban
Regeneration
Private small investment,
Structural funds: ERDF
for renovation spaces and
ESF for training and skill
development, H2020
Owners, Chamber of
Commerce
9 Start a business
incubator
4: Entrepreneurship Structural funds for
Greece, special national
schemes for SME’s and
startups.
Cosme and Horizon 2020
TEI, business owners,
Chamber of
Commerce
10 Expanding and
diversifying available
in-city tourism
capacity and
infrastructure
1: Tourism ERDF and ESF funds
from national OPs
Erasmus + Programme
and ESF priority – Better
Education
Bilateral Grants,
PPP, private investments,
sponsorships
IEE, Horizon 2020
TEI, existing training
providers, tourism
accommodation,
restaurants and bars,
transport operators,
local IT companies.
11 Start Kavala business
support centre
4: Entrepreneurship Structural funds for
Greece, special national
schemes for SME’s and
startups.
Cosme and Horizon 2020
TEI, business owners,
Chamber of
Commerce
12 Agritourism,
authentic cuisine,
local produce and
traditional lifestyle
1: Tourism CLLD UTF, institutions,
agricultors, food
industry, traditional
farms, store owners
in Kavala city center.
13 Aqueduct Panorama
Path
3: Urban
Regeneration
Private small investment
ERDF and ESF
14 Redeveloping and
upgrading sports and
wellness
infrastructure within
a “4-season tourism”
overarching concept
1: Tourism Horizon 2020 European
funds, JESSICA, ERDF
funds through national
programmes, private
investments
Wellness
infrastructure
administrators and
tourism agencies /
companies
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
44
5 Project Fiches: Key projects corresponding to each goal / objective of the ST/UA
5.1 Priority Project 01: The platform of public spaces
The platform of public space includes small and medium interventions interconnected with
the mobility management plan in order to offer Kavala an urban sustainable and livable town.
It incorporates actions targeting the better regulation and, ultimately some limitation of car
traffic, creation of a pedestrian network and an environmental area of 30km/h, as well as the
regeneration of built public spaces.
Figure 26 – Zoom plan on the city center (Source: TASCA Studio)
Priority actions:
Transforming the city centre in an environmental zone 30km/h (0,3 sq.km), safe for
pedestrians walking. This part of the city should be connected with the institutional
part (e.g. Town hall square, etc.);
Transforming Street Mitropolitou Chrisostomou (where the bus station is now located)
into a promenade of connection between the waterfront and Street Eleftheriou
Venizelou in front of the Town hall. This action (subproject) should represent an
urban design model for public spaces;
Transforming the historical city in a pedestrian zone;
Renewal of Kapnergati’s Square and integration within the city’s pedestrian network;
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
45
Restoration and reuse of the Medrese (Muslim school of theology) of Hatzi Ali Pasha
located on the east of Kavala’s Medieval Aqueduct;
Urban development of an internal open space adjacent to Kavala’s land wall and
restoration of adjoining listed buildings.
Location
Kavala city centre
Status
Project to be implemented
Timeline
2015 (feasibility studies and technical projects)
2016-17 (implementation phase)
Investments costs estimation
Medium
Funding opportunities
Structural national funds, "Transport, Infrastructure, Environment & Sustainable
Development” Greek OP 2014-2020, URBACT III , Grants and funds, PPP
Opportunities for partnership (if applicable)
-
5.2 Priority Project 02: Kavala Mobility Plan
The Kavala Mobility Plan contains actions aimed at improving the accessibility both
towards and within Kavala city, as well as the system of public and non-pollutant transport,
taking into account the city’s difficult topography and the mobility needs expected as a result
of touristic afflux increase.
Figure 27 – Mobility plan (Source: TASCA Studio)
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
46
Priorities for the Kavala Mobility Plan:
Implementing and concluding the peripheral road (EO Drama Kavala) as it is already
previewed in planning tools;
Creating a penetration loop for private mobility within the inner city avoiding the
waterfront and connecting directly with the peripheral road. The underground
parking place along the waterfront should represent the condition to boost the city
and to make a very strategic operation of urban regeneration for a touristic city like
Kavala;
Transforming the coast in a long bicycle path (7 km), protected from traffic cars
connecting Batis beach to the extreme part of the historical centre, a very panoramic
point, similar to the ‘Punta della Dogana’ in Venice;
Moving the touristic bus station outside of the city centre (one possibility is on the
inner bypass road), in order to accomplish environmental objectives and to make a
more efficient connection between the station and the city centre (e.g. electric shuttle
bus);
Moving the urban and sub-regional bus station outside of the city centre (western
part). It should be close to the penetration road in order to have a fast connection to the
Philippi archaeological settlement and Mud Baths and it should also accommodate the
shuttle from regional airport (Kavala and Thessaloniki) and to Batis beach;
Because of the very hard topography, providing a funicular cable from the waterfront
to the hillside, with could be connected with the touristic bus station or the Cross
(from 0,8 to 1,5 km long). This kind of transport should be very efficient and
spectacular to also appreciate the natural environment and landscape of Kavala.
Location
Kavala city, from the peripheral road to the waterfront
Status
Project to be implemented
Timeline
2015 (feasibility studies and technical projects)
2016-17 (implementation phase for bus stations and peripheral road completion)
2016-18 (implementation phase for the penetration loop, concomitant with underground
parking place – PP3)
2018-2022 (feasibility study and implementation of funicular cable)
Investments costs estimation
High
Funding opportunities
Structural national funds, "Transport, Infrastructure, Environment & Sustainable
Development” Greek Operational Programme 2014-2020, PPP
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
47
Opportunities for partnership (if applicable)
Partnership opportunities exist between Kavala Municipality, the Technical Chamber, the Port
Authority, local and regional transport operators, other investors
5.3 Priority Project 03: The urban renewal of Kavala’s waterfront
The urban renewal of the waterfront includes renewal of public spaces connected from the
sea to the city urban structure and the realization of several buildings in order to offer
different private and public services both to local inhabitants and to tourists.
Priority actions:
to build an underground parking place in order to avoid car traffic through the sea line
(this operation should be included in the Mobility plan of the coast);
a new multipurpose building on the eastern shore bank, under the historical city. At
the moment of its realization this building could host the already consolidated Urban
Centre, possibly integrated with a business support centre for ‘start up’, spaces for
culture such as auditorium, ecc.
A new covered swimming pool, integrated with the underground parking place of the
waterfront. This structure should be accessible to everyone;
to renovate the public spaces around the waterfront (pavement, lighting, trees,
furniture, ecc) in order to make it more accessible and easier to reach;
the realization of the programmed touristic port.
Location
Waterfront in the city centre (about 1 km long)
Status
Project to be implemented
Timeline
2015 (feasibility studies and technical projects)
2016-17 (implementation phase – multipurpose building)
2016-18 (implementation phase – parking place, swimming pool)
Investments costs estimation
High
Funding opportunities
Structural national funds, private-public partnership
Opportunities for partnership (if applicable)
Municipality, Port Authority, Ministry of the maritime transport, shipping companies, real
estate investors, etc. Their action should be coordinated in order to have a unique strategic
vision. Also for this reason, a Waterfront Task Force, as a part of the Urban Task Force,
should be created in order to manage all the different interests on it.
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
48
5.4 Priority Project 04: E-Platform: Formalization of
entrepreneurship sector cooperation
Description
Often, there are many informal structures for deliberation in the city. Many key stakeholders
in cities regularly meet each other to discuss issues on a case by case base. We suggest to start
a formal discussion and deliberation structure following the four leaf clover model with the
objective to improve entrepreneurship and innovation in Kavala. ( Entrepreneurship / E
platform Kavala).
In the above graph, the first selection of key stakeholders is indicated. The municipality could
initiate monthly meetings with this ‘E-platform’ to discuss the implementation of the strategic
urban agenda and the spatial-social-economic strategy of Kavala. Regularly the public should
be informed and involved of the progress of the implementation. Objective advisors can guide
and feed the process of joint development and implementation.
Priority actions:
Inviting the stakeholders for an initiating meeting on the E-platform;
Appointing a governing council of the E-platform, consisting of the mayor of the
city, the director of the port, the director of TEI, a successful entrepreneur (Director
Egnatia for instance) and a director of a bank. Appointing a Chairman (mayor) and
a Secretary General (eg. Egnatia Director) that function as propellers of the
governing council;
Putting the working agreements in a (light) memorandum of understanding;
Organising one or two-monthly meetings that are prepared by working groups (linked
to the urban centre). Development proposals and conditions need to be discussed.
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
49
Make concrete agreements, appointments, outputs and activities related to
improvement of the business environment and innovation in the Kavala region.Work
on trust relationships and communicate successes,
If needed, appoint an objective process manager with good communication skills for
the first year that can function as central communication point and support the trust-
and development processes
Two key-project ideas to be worked on are: how to stimulate innovation in the area
(triple helix cooperation programme, longer term objectives of making Kavala a
healthy sustainable economy) and how to stimulate entrepreneurship (short-medium
term, setting up of incubator, next project proposal)
Location
Not applicable
Status
Project under preparation
Timeline
Start January 1st 2015. Concrete agenda ready by March 2015
Investments costs estimation
No large scale investments needed, some budget for meetings, possible external process
manager
Funding opportunities
Not applicable
Opportunities for partnership (if applicable)
Described above – the project is about creating a partnership
5.5 Priority project 05: Upgrading and expanding the Kavala brand
Main action packages for the priority project:
a. Redesigning, publishing and promoting the new Kavala Brand;
b. Telling the stories of the many historical events which left traces in the
territory
c. Setting up, enhancing and equipping a system of thematic routes
a. Redesigning, publishing and promoting the Kavala Brand
The merger between the municipalities of Kavala and Philippi, and thus the many strengths
that it brings, need to be evident in the way Kavala is promoted. A reconsideration of the
Kavala brand, currently “sea, sand and sun” centric, should broaden and include also the
newly acquired assets: a strong historical and religious heritage, local agriculture and wine,
and an important wellness and health sector already developed. The new brand should
encompass these considerations into the Kavala-5 sense experience that will target a much
wider group of users, aiming at being attractive all year round for tourists.
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
50
The action package is of high priority since it will form the back bone and the fil rouge for
new developments in tourism. It is important to integrate all of the area’s strong suites and to
create a platform for the different actors to communicate and cooperate. The new brand and
story will be disseminated continuously over the implementation of the strategy but it will
also evolve together with it.
Project actions to be undertaken, in order of priority:
Redesigning and publishing the new brand (UTF or citizen events can be
organized in this stage to shape the Kavala brand);
Promoting new brand through all channels; creating an official website, using
social media, engaging local accommodation retailers;
Developing products and packages as unified identification elements for touristic
products: info points, maps, thematic routes;
Setting up a map and info point of alternative activities in the main access points in
and out of the city (port for boats to Thassos, regional bus station) and in hotels.
Telling the stories of the many historical events which left traces in the territory:
o Publishing, promoting and selling books on: St. Paul’s route, water route,
architecture of Kavala, historical route, etc.
Engaging travel bloggers/writers to support in drafting the promotion materials;
Cooperating with hotels, pensions and alternative accommodation providers to
help disseminate the information;
Developing discount policies in cooperation with local entrepreneurs.
b. Setting up, enhancing and equipping a system of thematic routes
The many stages of historical and economic development of the area are visible in the
landscape and architecture, yet this heritage needs to be outlined, revealed, exploited and –
last but not least – connected. A complete historical experience should be viewed in an
integrated manner. Therefore it is important to show the link between the history, and story, at
both municipal (territorial) scale and that within the city of Kavala. The connection between
the routes that have been revitalised, or enhanced in the area (The themed historical routes;
Palia Egnatia inside the city, water route inside the city, architecture history route; trade route)
should be visible also through the city, up to the historical core.
Thematic routes will be set up and developed, keeping in mind the brand and new image of
Kavala. Priority actions:
Defining and setting up infrastructure on existing trails (Palia Egnatia and
redefinition of St. Paul’s Route through Greece, connected on a transcontinental level.
mapping, multilingual signalling, rest and camp sites, interventions into landscape,
etc.)
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
51
Creating secondary network of trails and cycling paths using pre-existing
agricultural roads and irrigation canals
Intervening in agricultural landscape and creating a grid of well-defined and easily
identifiable routes, enhancing agricultural potential of the municipality by including
it in the touristic cycle network:
Restoring historic routes: Water Way outside the city (Priority linked to PP XX of
Pillar 3)
Defining a thematic architectural route in the city of Kavala (including digital info –
QR codes, integrated in the KAVALA APP)
Figure 28 - Main tourism and landscape proposed interventions (Source: Sabina Dimitriu)
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
52
d. Using the opportunity of large scale events to promote Kavala and its hinterland
attractions.
With little investment into hard infrastructures, but by soft projects, promotion and bringing
activities to the sites of interest, Kavala aims at fostering cooperation on a larger scale and
increasing awareness of the huge potential of these places. Cultural programming of historical
heritage sites will, in time, convey a self-sustaining identity in the minds of locals but also,
potentially, on an international scale.
Priority actions:
Developing the Philippi Festival of culture and arts;
Developing religious special events - Saint Lydia's feast day Festival (May 20);
Engaging local artistic and cultural associations, even citizens into creating historical
re-enactment of the Battle of Philippi;
Internationally promoting the Wood Water Wild festival (including developing a
programme in English)
Partnering up with event organisers to:
Organise themed day trips: involve hiking and climbing association, NGO's, water
route association; religious sites;
Disseminate flyers and maps telling the stories of the different routes;
Promoting local food and wineries;
Location
Kavala historical districts;
Water way and aqueduct;
Kavala Municipality hinterland: arable / plain areas to the N-East between Kavala and
Philippi / Lydia and mountainous areas in the North-West part;
Status
Project under preparation.
Timeline
2015 – 2016 (Kavala Brand establishment and soft projects
2015 – 2018 (implementation of infrastructure interventions (routes, landscaping)
Investments costs estimation
Low-medium
Funding opportunities
Greek Operational Programmes 2014-2020:
Transport, Infrastructure, Environment and Sustainable Development
Rural Development
Regional Operational Programme
Public Private Partnerships
Creative Europe
COSME Programme
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
53
INTERREG Europe
URBACT III
Opportunities for partnership (if applicable)
Historical society, Trekking association, local food and wine producers, large hotels and
venues for events, tourism companies (both local and online international websites), sports
and wellness businesses, places of worship in the area.
Support from local hiking and climbing and historical associations may by elicited as
volunteering in waymarking and providing useful information about the routes; also the
interested parties may support in disseminating the information in targeted groups via their
online media channels.
5.6 Priority project 06: Eastern Access
Figure 29 - Eastern Access priority project localization (Source: Daniela Patti, Levente Polyak)
At the eastern side of the old town, the magnificent vacant tobacco warehouse buildings can
host a variety of activities related to the shipbuilding industry and other arts and crafts already
present in the neighborhood’s ateliers planned to be demolished. The relocation of some of
these activities, as well as the use of the warehouse space as a business incubator can bring
new economic vitality in the area. The vacant shops along the waterfront are natural sites for a
series of cafes and restaurants with a view of the sea, creating a stronger connection to the
water. The former hospital across the bay is a perfect building for affordable student and
graduate housing, bringing youth and new life in the neighborhood.
Priority actions:
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
54
reactivate warehouse
reuse vacant shops
clean bay
Location
Eastern Waterfront
Status
Project under preparation
Timeline
Beginning 2015: claning bay and accessing some shops
Mid 205: reactivation spaces and start renovation of tobacco warehouses.
Investments costs estimation
Low for bay and shops, medium/high for tobacco warehouse depending on status (to be
verified)
Funding opportunities
Private small investment, Structural funds: ERDF for renovation spaces and ESF for training
and skill development, EU Cooperation projects in the realm of H2020
Opportunities for partnership (if applicable)
Owners, Chamber of Commerce, Port Authority
Figure 30 - Rendition of possible uses for existing building stock (Source: Daniela Patti, Levente Polyak)
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
55
5.7 Priority project 07: Western Access
Figure 31 - Western Access priority project localization (Source: Daniela Patti, Levente Polyak)
Due to its relative proximity (less than a kilometer) to the Technical Institute, the former
industrial site at the riverfront offers itself as a perfect satellite site for industries related to the
energy sector, a specialty of the Institute. TEI Satellite is conceivable as an energy start-up
campus, helping small energy businesses to grow and create the region’s most important
energy tech hub. Expanding the regeneration area along the riverfront towards the north and
the east, the vacant historical buildings connected to unused green spaces carry the potential
of new public spaces and showcases of the region’s agricultural and arts and crafts products.
Priority actions:
- Reconnect waterfront promenade
- Improve trasversal passages across street
- reduce traffic on street
- Use abandoned buildings close to TEI for technological start-up companies
- Use abandoned properties for agri-food showcases
Location
Western Waterfront
Status
Project under preparation
Timeline
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
56
Beginning 2015: setup stakeholders
Mid 2015: Acessing some of the properties and improving the waterfront
Investments costs estimation
Low-Medium
Funding opportunities
Structural funds: ERDF for renovation spaces and ESF for training and skill development.
EU Cooperation projects in the realm of H2020
5.8 Priorty Project 8: Upper Downtown
Figure 32 - Upper Downtown priority project localization (Source: Daniela Patti, Levente Polyak)
In the area north of the centre, an integrated regeneration scheme has to take into account both
the empty tobacco warehouses and the vacant shops as workshops. Reused as small business
incubators, regional product selling points, and affordable student or graduate housing, these
spaces can contribute to the revitalization of the centre.
Priority actions:
- Map abandoned properties (shops and tobacco warehouses)
- Develop a program that can be attractive both to owners and potential renters.
Location
Upper Down Town
Status
Project under preparation
Timeline
Beginning 2015: Mapping
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
57
Mid 2015: piloting program in some areas
Investments costs estimation
Low (shops), medium (warehouses, depending on conditions).
Funding opportunities
Private small investment
Structural funds: ERDF for renovation spaces and ESF for training and skill development.
EU Cooperation projects in the realm of H2020
Opportunities for partnership (if applicable)
Owners, Chamber of Commerce
Figure 33 - Rendition of possible uses for existing building stock (Source: Daniela Patti, Levente Polyak)
5.9 Priority Project 9: Starting a business incubator
The municipality of Kavala could support the
development of business incubators. Incubators
support startup and early-stage companies in their
first stages of development. Incubation programs can
be co-funded by local, regional or national
governments as part of an overall economic
development strategy.
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
58
In the case of Kavala it would be a ‘natural’ choice to start an incubation programme for
tourism. There is much need to diversify the services in this sector and involve more starters
and young entrepreneurs. Offering startups the facilities, knowledge and in some cases capital
injections to start their own business, could provide the incentives to local and non-local
entrepreneurs and investors to come to Kavala. For a physical location for an incubator
several of the vacant building in the centre would be an excellent starting point.
Next to an incubation programme for tourism, also an incubator for agri/ local food would be
highly recommendable. All assets for a productive local agricultural sector are there, yet there
is a need for innovation and local entrepreneurship. An incubation programme in this sector
will be very complementary to the tourism sector. There are several incubator networks in
Europe that provide good examples on how to start up and maintain incubators.
Last but not least, the business incubator could address the technological aspects related to
energy (oil, wind, solar) and transport (aviation) in collaboration with TEI and local
entrepreneurs.
All these business incubators would benefit by the geographical vicinity, as they would be
clustered in neighborhoods, but they would also be supported and put in a city-wide network
thanks to the creation of a business support center.
Priority actions:
This action is strongly connected to the previous project (E-platform). The incubator
can be a first concrete project to be decided upon and supported by the governing
council.
Find and select a group of interested locally rooted companies in the field of tourism
that are interested in innovating their services and products
The city hall, TEI and the entrepreneurs have to develop a stimulation programme for
young entrepreneurs in the field of tourism. This stimulation programme ( see for
example www.yesdelft.nl perhaps inspiration for YES!KAVALA!) should support
young entrepreneurs with space, a network and some support from the government in
developing their ideas. It is relevant that the cluster of small companies are tight
together so they can learn from each other. Matchmaking activities with larger
companies need to be organised to facilitate seed money and follow-through of
innovative product ideas.
Involve EU management authorities. In the next EU programming period, much EU
funds are reserved for stimulating entrepreneurship, especially SME’s.
Location
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
59
- For instance one of the old warehouses. Provide the facilities that a team of local
entrepreneur can start to run the incubator facilities
Status
Project under preparation
Timeline
- Start in 2015, programme ready by May 2015 so that the summer season of 2015 can
function as first pilot summer for the incubator
- Ongoing: activities, festivals and local projects
Investments costs estimation
- Low to medium
Funding opportunities
- Structural funds for Greece, there are special national schemes for SME’s and startups.
Other possibilities are Cosme and Horizon 2020
Opportunities for partnership (if applicable)
- Municipality of Kavala, TEI, local entrepreneurs
5.10 Priority project 10: Expanding and diversifying available tourism
capacity and infrastructure
Description
The wide range and number of attractions within the administrative boundary of the
municipality of Kavala generates interest on very different scales. In order to support a more
balanced use of existing potential, the various sites – whether they are health, wellness,
religious or historic – should be connected and integrated, and proper attention should be
given to one of the most pressing problems revealed in the STATUS workshops: tourism
infrastructure improvement. For ensuring the best accessibility and information provision,
as well as attractivity for youth and users of modern technology, this integration needs to be
conducted both physically (through bus routes, markings, etc) and within an ICT-enabled
virtual environment network stimulating tourist interaction.
This project ties in with the themed system of routes and the upgraded brand of Kavala and
will ensure a balanced spill-over between touristic sectors and a heightened and more constant
distribution of touristic activity in the different periods of the year. The project also strongly
relates to the priority actions of the Waterfront/Mobility Pillar, as it will contribute to better
and more environmentally friendly transport in the Municipality.
The project aims at developing the following three priority subprojects:
a. An expansion of the accommodation existing offer through low-cost innovative
solutions
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
60
Evaluating the potential of creating a tourism and culture branch in the Kavala TEI, in
partnership – analysis, studies, discussions with TEI and other relevant actors;
Evaluating the potential of creating a Kavala Cultural Institute to specialize youth in
history, archaeology, heritage (discussions, feasibility study). Significant gain in
visibility of the KCI would be achieved by co-locating the center with the Kavala
Urban Center, the TEI or other culturally representative institutions or organizations;
Implementing the Kavala Cultural Institute and developing a curricula for training and
specialization programmes; contracting staff, establishing work programme;
Establishing partnerships and developing qualification and requalification courses for
the hospitality businesses; analysing the potential for developing apprenticeship
programmes in collaboration with main hospitality players: hotels, restaurants and
bars, travel. Developing a municipal programme for retrofitting unused buildings (for
hostels, hotels, seasonal renting) and creating camping sites;
Identifying potential sites for hotels, hostels, seasonal renting houses and camping
sites, including / inviting owners in the municipal programme, creating partnerships
and supporting interested property owners to develop tourism lodging.
Developing a funding application strategy for temporary use, low cost / low impact
touristic accommodations;
Application for funding and implementation;
b. An integrated local touristic transport system,
Developing a consortium / group of implementation: bringing local and regional bus
operators and private shuttle services around the table to define the best way to
cooperate and share responsibilities and benefits of creating Municipal touristic bus
routes; Including local accommodation providers and other tourism service providers
(incl. for example landmark administration staff) to support in disseminating
information but also providing necessary data in order to create cost efficient routes
Defining the routes, correlated with the municipal map of themed paths – point 1 and
7 and with the setting of the new touristic bus / shuttle station in Kavala (priority
project XXX of Pillar 2);
Regulating the provisions for touristic transport in the Municipality and conditions for
an environmentally friendly service;
Upgrading the existing transport fleets of bus operators;
Defining a schedule (for regular touristic transport services) and booking procedure
(for on-demand services) as well as a payment policy;
c. A city App integrating the municipality's complete touristic offer with GPS-enabled
location-based services,
Involving local IT companies in developing the best solutions and implementation
plan;
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
61
Commissioning locally the extension of free wireless service to the Kavala city center;
Engaging big companies into sponsoring routes; incentives; use and promotion of their
own equipment;
Developing web- and GPS- enabled access to:
Information on landmarks, using QR codes on sites to be provided with
additional details or augmented-reality displays of the landmark's appearance
through ages
Information on location of sights, info-points, souvenir shops, Kavala authentic
local products shops, etc.;
Information on transport, bus routes and schedules, etc.
Hiking / biking trip planner and GPS-enabled trip assistant, integrated with
location-based alerts (i.e. For bad weather), SOS, etc.
Social media plugin and the possibility to "share" your trip experience
Incorporation of services into integrated mobile portal/app using open source software,
being delivered as freeware to tourists
Promotion of KAVALA APP on web (booking.com, trip planning websites, ticketing
sites, etc) and on site (QR codes in all hotels, info points, inside shuttle busses from
airports, etc).
Location
Municipality of Kavala
Status
Project under preparation
Timeline
Establishing partnerships and developing training / specialization programmes in tourism and
hospitality: 2015 – 2017
Supplementing available tourism infrastructure: 2015 – 2018
Kavala APP and transport system: 2015 – 2017
Investments costs estimation
Medium
Funding opportunities
European ERDF and ESF funds from national OPs
Erasmus + Programme and European Social Fund priority – Better Education
Bilateral Grants and other granting opportunities
PPP opportunities and stakeholder investments
Intelligent Energy Europe, by giving focus to sustainable transportation in the area to
the potential application for funding
HORIZON 2020: Societal challenge 4 “Smart, green and integrated transport” -
(research & innovation on European transport system, smart mobility)
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
62
Societal Challenge 3 "Secure, Clean and Efficient Energy" - smart cities
H2020 Pillar "Leadership in enabling and Industrial Technologies" (LEIT): LEIT
Information and Communication Technologies
Horizon2020 ICT-enabled societies calls;
Kavala APP: Private capital and sponsorships (service payment of small amounts by
companies who want to be included in the App)
Opportunities for partnership (if applicable)
Partnership for the development of skilled people in the tourism industry is important between
the Municipality of Kavala and the TEI, as well as with existing training providers, tourism
accommodation, restaurants and bars, transport operators, local IT companies.
5.11 Priorty Project 11: Start Kavala business support centre
This project is linked to the development of the E-platform and the incubator project. A
Kavala business support centre could channel and facilitate the businesses development.
Services that could be provided by the business centre are:
1. Collecting and providing access to business data
2. Support in accessing EU funds
3. Support in procedures and standardization.
For a well-functioning business support centre it is relevant to closely map the existing needs
of the entrepreneurs and cooperate with already existing business initiatives, such as the local
chambers of commerce.
Priority actions:
Appoint a business support manager
Analyse the existing business support structures in Kavala and determine which
services and products are missing for entrepreneurs. ( needs analysis)
Develop a business support proposal which will be discussed and approved by the E-
Platform
The BSC should function as a linking pin between the overall economic programmes
of the area ( tourism, agriculture, transport, health care and energy ) and the enormous
amount of EU funds available for economic development, poverty reduction and
innovative, export oriented entrepreneurship in Greece for the period 2014-2020 ( over
€ 20 billion EU support).
First serve as information and networking point. Gradually the centre can develop into
a real shared services centre and lobby instrument towards Athens.
Location
Anywhere in the city of Kavala. Preferably easy accessible, visible. Connected to the urban
centre.
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
63
Status
Project under preparation
Timeline
Start in 2015
Investments costs estimation
Low
Funding opportunities
- many. Structural funds for Greece, there are special national schemes for SME’s and
startups. Other possibilities are Cosme and Horizon 2020
Opportunities for partnership (if applicable)
Create business partnerships between companies in Kavala area.
5.12 Priority project no 12: Agritourism, authentic cuisine, local
produce and traditional lifestyle
Description
The food sector is an important industry of the Municipality of Philippi, particularly keeping
in mind the current trend of new entrepreneurs starting local agricultural farms. However,
within the city of Kavala, the importance of the agriculture and wine production on municipal
level is not yet evident, despite great potential stemming from the quality of the products.
The gastronomic and oenological experience of Kavala can be developed municipality-wide
through a concerted action of developing both in-city retail of staple products and territorial
development of agritourism farms and services.
By making use of the vacant shops within the city center – see Regeneration chapter – the
local agrifood-wine component can be brought within the city, showcased to locals as well as
tourists and thus supporting the expansion of the touristic interests beyond the immediate
inner city touristic attractions and Thassos. Within the territory, small producers of local
foodstuffs and wine can associate and be integrated into a network offering cultural
gastronomic and oenological excursions, tastings of wine and local products.
The project provides both horizontal and vertical linkages between sectors (economic and
public/private), as well as a strong urban-rural connection within the Kavala Municipality.
Priority actions:
Facilitating the start-up of cooperation among local producers: meetings, fairs,
workshops;
Setting up a platform for exchange of knowledge and information (specific section of
the geo-blog or designated website)
Setting up an institutional framework for local traditional producers – CLLD.The idea
is to redevelop productive agriculture in an urban-rural partnership with:
Kavala Municipality and the Kavala Urban Task Force;
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
64
Local farmers: promotion of small farms with low/medium intensity production
of high-quality products and encouragement of part-time farming, agricultors /
periurban agricultors, traditional farms and households in Kavala's hinterland
(Philippi, Palea Kavala, Krioneros, Zygos, Krinides etc.)
Existing and potentially interested food industries within the Municipality, local
entrepreneurs targeting the development of upper-echelon (premium, bio) products
for local use and export;
Logistics companies for distribution and export,
Tourism companies for strategic partnerships (agritourism and day-trips from the
city);
Preparation and agreement upon the CLLD Strategy in full detail (participative
process);
Preparation of action plan and funding application. Key investments for the CLLD
Strategy:
Establishment of a unique foodstuffs and animal product brand for the area;
Creation of a common platform and structure to manage the small producers’
needs, to enable communication and to foster synergy within the Kavala area.
Development of an incentive policy for commercialized production of fresh
produce, animal products, fruit crops by supporting farm enterprises and micro
farms (differentiated policies, start-up funds, etc) – both production and
commercialization;
Developing and supporting the creation of business plans for local entrepreneurs
to implement creation or expansion of agritourism facilities;
Jointly creating packages for Kavala rural experience: wine tasting / winemaking
experience, cattle farm experience / cheesemaking, traditional farming / travel
back in time, etc.
Expansion and rehabilitation of irrigation systems, investments in technology;
Operationalizing economy chain partnerships: incentives for using local
produce as feedstock for food industry;
Periodic review and monitoring of CLLD Strategy.
Location
Municipality of Kavala
Status
Project under preparation
Timeline
2015 – 2018
Investments costs estimation
Medium
Funding opportunities
CLLD instrument: Structural funds, European Social Fund, National agriculture funds, etc.
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
65
Opportunities for partnership (if applicable)
Partnership for implementation necessary between: Kavala, UTF, other state institutions,
agricultors / periurban agricultors, local entrepreneurs in food industry, traditional farms and
households in Kavala's hinterland, store owners in Kavala city center.
5.13 Priorty Project 13: Aqueduct Panorama Path
Figure 34 - Aqueduct Panorama regeneration area (Source: Daniela Patti, Levente Polyak)
One of Kavala’s most known attraction is the aqueduct. An iconic landmark and symbol of
the city, the aqueduct can also be a platform to discover the city from unknown angles. As a
matter of fact, at the bottom of the aqueduct lies a very pleasant and green pathway that runs
between the historical urban tissue. The aqueduct then terminates on both sides on the highest
points of the city, which provide a very nice panoramic view. This could become a tourist
attraction and bring flows of people in areas currently not very frequented by just having
some communication activities and the setup of a terrace and some cafe’.
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
66
Figure 35 - Illustration of Aqueduct Panorama path (Source: Daniela Patti, Levente Polyak)
Location
Eastern Waterfront
Status
Project under preparation
Timeline
Beginning 2015: claning pathway
Mid 2015: realisation of terrace, cafe’ and activities to attract visitors
Investments costs estimation
Low
Funding opportunities
Private small investment
Structural funds: ERDF for renovation spaces and ESF for training and skill development.
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
67
5.14 Priority project 14: Redeveloping and upgrading sports and
wellness infrastructure within a "4- season tourism" overarching
concept
Description
As stated before, one of the main objectives of the strategy for Kavala is to transform the
municipality into a touristic attraction year round. At the moment, the area is already a well-
known destination for sports veterans, large scale sports events and wellness tourism (albeit
only on a national level so far). In order to reap the maximum effects of these assets, they
should be considered as a whole, promoted and exploited as such – concomitantly with using
these ready-established activities as leverage for promoting the additional initiatives – local
culture, food, wineries and traditions.
Priority actions:
Rehabilitation of open space and development of adjacent services for the Kavala
sports hub (stadium, closed Olympic pool), including development of sports-themed
connections with the Kavala sailing ports and beaches and wellness/relaxation themed
connection with the Krinides Mud Baths; Feasibility study, masterplan and action plan
implementation for the extension of the mud baths wellness pole and of bath
infrastructure, including diversification of services (spa, massage, recovery therapy
after sports, kinetotherapy, etc.) and products (packaged mud, creams, gels, other
products) using the Kavala unique brand;
Creation of social / health tourism packages for the low season for target groups
(elderly, sports veterans, school class trips for children) and linking services together:
e.g. Creation
Creation of social / health tourism packages for the low season for target groups
(elderly, sports veterans, school class trips for children) and integrating the wellness
assets – eg. Offering special packages with kinetic therapy and mudbath sessions to
swimmers coming to train in the Olympic basin; Valorisation of existing built
facilities through the development of sports competitions and events: swimming
competitions, sailing, triathlon-type challenges, cross events for special causes,
Krinides spa week (in off-season), etc.
Location
Kavala – Krinides Mud Baths, Stadium and pool area, coastal area (beaches, ports / new
marina, etc).
Status
Project under preparation
Timeline
2015 – 2016 (soft actions implemented) – 2018 (infrastructure extensions)
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
68
Investments costs estimation
Medium-high
Funding opportunities
Horizon 2020 European funds, JESSICA, ERDF funds through national programmes, private
investments, etc.
Opportunities for partnership (if applicable)
Wellness infrastructure administrators and tourism agencies / companies
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
69
6 Implementation of Kavala Municipality’s Integrated Strategic Agenda
The implementation of the Agenda represents now a successfully started process and it will be
further conducted through the newly set up Urban Center. At this point, while a preliminary
prioritization has been discussed with the Urban Task Force, it is still early in the process to
delineate a specific implementation action plan.
As many South Eastern European middle-sized cities, Kavala is confronted with the problem
of lacking citizen participation in urban development. Without a consultative process in
planning, ownership of development strategies is limited to the administrative and political
factors, so it is difficult – if not impossible – to plan for more than 5 years, the period of office
for local administrations in Kavala.
Structuring an identity for the city is a long-term process which requires vision and a plan
transcending cycles of local political power and reuniting in its provisions the views and
needs of all stakeholders. The STATUS Process has produced this long-term vision for 2030,
which can be now used as leverage for discussion and creation (for the first time) of a
Structural Plan for 15 years. Yet in order for such a complex framework for implementation
to be successful, it has to rely on tools for public participation, consultation and support to the
local community. The Urban Center is the most important one of these instruments and needs
to be implemented for several reasons:
Facilitating the transition to a new system of long-term planning and providing the
framework for the 5-year Operational Plans of the city;
Creating ownership and implementing urban development projects responding to the
community’s needs;
Creating a link between projects and sources of funding, from European to local
private investments;
On a longer term, even influencing EU policy through local good practice concerning
the redevelopment of small and middle-sized (3rd and 4th tier) cities facing important
global challenges.
Considering these aspects and the difficulty of the task, the following months will be
dedicated to creating the framework for implementation, UTF work groups for specific
projects, action plan timeline, risk assessment and monitoring framework.
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
70
7 The Poster Plan
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
71
Output 4.7 Integrated Strategic Territorial/Urban Agenda in Kavala Municipality
ERDF LP Municipality of Kavala (GR)
72
8 Conclusions
PIETRO AND JOEPPLEASE HERE
9 References
STATUS Project Deliverables:
Output D3.1 Stakeholder Involvement
Output D3.2 Operational Analysis
Output D3.5 Report on Plans and Policies
Output D4.2 Report on Territorial Governance and Problems
Output D4.3 Draft Strategic Urban Agenda Kavala
Output D4.6 Poster Plan
General Urban Plan of Kavala (2010)
http://gis.ktimanet.gr/wms/ktbasemap/default.aspx (national cadastral office for orthophotos and
coordinates)
www.kavala.gov.gr/
www.kavalagreece.gr
maps.google.com/