Athens Co Creation Project: The Progress of a Communicative Lean Start up Model for Branding Athens
1. Athens Co-Creation is a postgraduate platform for curating and sharing sources
and ideas on city branding as well as a co-learning and collaborative social lab.
We work on smart, sustainable and startup cities. We focus on lean startup model,
as well as co-creation methodologies to co-create Athens as a global smart and
startup city brand.
Standing at a distance all the familiar shapes are losing their form.
The shapes become different,
The new forms produce different connotations
The philosophy
I N S I D E T H I S
I S S U E :
Project Phase 1 2
Project Phase 2 3
Project Phase 3 4
Our Proposal 7
References 21
Preview of the progress
Athens Co-Creation
project
J U N E 2 0 1 3
Postgraduate Studies:
Cultural Management
Course:
Cultural Marketing and
Communication
Athens
Co-Creation Branding
Project
Course Instructor :
Betty Tsakarestou
Assistant Professor and Head of
Advertising and Public Relations
Lab,
Department of Communication,
Media and Culture, Panteion
University
http://twitter.com/tsakarestou
http://gr.linkedin.com/in/
bettytsakarestou
http://panteion.academia.edu/
BettyTsakarestou
Team:
Katerina Vlassopoulou
Akrivi Giouleka
Maria Kourassani
Vivi Kopsia
Christiana Neokleous
Katerina Vaimaki
Exploring the corporate visions about cities
The 9 axes of investments
Overview of City Brands
The strategies involved, a philosophy of
forming an identity
Athens like a puzzle: searching out actions
&
linking all the parts a new form of identity
is arising
2. P A G E 2
The market
philosophy
The 9 axes of
smart city
Project 1: Exploring the corporate visions
about cities
When we are referring to large companies with international repu-
tation in the global economy the link between Vision and Projects
is undisputable. Through their intentions and the ways that com-
panies invest in cities arise their own proposal for current and fu-
ture infrastructures. The guide courses of action thus distin-
guished by nine pillars: sustainability, solutions for energy and
transport, applications, green lifestyle, smart technologies, dia-
logue platforms, aesthetics and infrastructure related to health.
Also we can see that a complementary and a very important fea-
ture of the corporate vision exists; the concern for humans.
Though in all cases that have been reported not all companies
promote active participation, they are implying the importance and
an interest on the best way of living.
A T H E N S C O - C R E A T I O N
Aesthetics
Dialogue
Energy solutions
The ecological footprint
3. Project 2: Overview of City Brands
The strategies for forming an identity
P A G E 3J U N E 2 0 1 3
How cities communicate their identity? Following our interest to detect communi-
cative practices we chose three cities. We chose Rome and Constantin-
ople as competing examples from West and East and Moscow, because it
is in the process of creating an identity.
From our research we ended up with the following conclusions.
Starting from Moscow our observation showed us that the particular char-
acteristics of the city do not overlap the inability of finding solutions for im-
portant problems of the city. In this context, the authorities of Moscow find
it difficult to form a communication policy, despite the goodwill and
participation of agencies and organizations in the city.
The Rome identity is based on the 'eternal' characteristics for
which the city has received prestigious awards. The archaeologi-
cal monuments, the architecture and design culture, the history
of Catholicism and the dynamics in tourism, are stable objectives
of the promoting Brand name.
Istanbul is a unique city because it connects the West with
the East, but also because of its long history and its multiculturalism. The identity
makers are leaning on to the previous characteristics to shape the city's image.
The particularity of this example consists of two factors. Firstly, the fact that the
strategy is carved by the central authority, i.e. government in direct cooperation
with the city authorities, secondly they have developed a strategic plan where
incorporating actions form and strictly enforces a parallel nation branding strat-
egy.
The axes of their strategy are focused on society, environ-
ment, economy and relative various actions. Besides the
modern reconstruction of the city, a great number of con-
ferences take place that are focusing in sectors of technol-
ogy, economy and the environment. Almost the entire city's
institutions are involved in this identity forming, such as
universities, private organizations and NGOs’. Neverthe-
less not all the data elements are met in this strategy. The
contradiction between government vision and social policy
exists and the results of this are the recent events of the
violent demonstrations in squares of Constantinople, which
took global dimensions and caused a particular blow to the city's identity.
In the light of what has been reported, in order for a city to develop a successful
communication strategy, a narrative is needed, based on specific existing com-
ponents, a strategy of solving specific issues - otherwise what kind of an image
to promote -and based on a strategy that re-wraps when specific incidents af-
fect negatively the image.
Nascent Moscow
Eternal Rome
Constantly in Progress
Istanbul
4. P A G E 4
Project 3: Athens like a puzzle
Searching out the actions &
linking all the parts, a new form of identity is
arising
A T H E N S C O - C R E A T I O N
According to global ratings Athens is not focusing on innovation and is in
the lower position as a green city. But It allocates the 10th position in the
power of the Brand comparing to 72 examples.
In the crisis phase of the country the city of Athens as the capital, is in the
center of developments and reactions.
It’s indisputable. The crisis has affected the city. The public image is di-
rected to the negative side, with the promotion of demonstrations as a form
of disorganization and dissatisfaction, and the German experts as teachers
that instruct on organization issues to a country that fails to take the helm
using its own forces.
But if one looks more carefully and explore what happens in the city, the
center of this country, he or she will face a different reality.
Plenty of start up businesses supporting creative entrepreneurship *.
Architectural plans for re- launching Athens, that upgrade several and cru-
cial points of the city center and the periphery, with Green Logic .
The emergence of a different culture in the people’s relation. The boost of
the Volunteerism. What is the value espoused? Solidarity.
In such a context the creative people of the cultural sector with the dynam-
ics of NGOs form different partnerships and innovative cultural events.
So if you look at Athens more carefully, it looks like a puzzle. All you need is
to unite the scattered pieces of the city and then united them. Then a differ-
ent picture is formed.
urban renaissance:
Reconstruction
of Urban Environment
entrepreneurial action:
The start- ups initiative
Towards
a new system of values:
solidarity
a new business trend ?
new and innovative cultural
actions and synergies
5. The Role of the Municipality:
An actor for Re– Launching Athens
P A G E 5J U N E 2 0 1 3
Re-launching Athens' initiative
The recent 'Re-Launching Athens Initiative', received €84m from the ERDF
aims to revive the city centre to make it more attractive to investors.
The project is based on 5 priorities: competitiveness, improving quality
of life, regeneration of urban areas, handling the social crisis, sustain-
ability, Athens underground revitalized
This project has dramatically changed urban transport in the Attica basin. It
has raised the standard of living for Athens residents and improved air qual-
ity. Further work (extending a metro line) is continuing to improve life in the
city: in particular on the line linking Piraeus and Kifisia in the north.
The EU is co-financing the project to the value of €50 m (of a total investment of
€79.2m) with 205 jobs directly created during its implementation. Some 440 000
commuters are benefitting from improved traffic flow, safety and comfort.
The goals
Competitiveness
Improving quality
of life
Regeneration of
urban areas
Handling the
social crisis
Sustainability
Elaionas a metropolitan transportation center and sports facilities
Alexandras Avenue a sport museum/parking place
Kerameikos area a cluster creative entrepreneurship/KM Pop-up Market/serviced
studios/co-working spaces, studio housing
Academia of Plato a museum/shopping mall
Reconstruction of derelict buildings
Cycling networks/ social support hub (Larissa Station)
Reformation of the Varvakeion Market and Athena’s Street
«Rethink Athens»
6. P A G E 6
Conclusion & Challenges:
Exploring the possibilities
A T H E N S C O - C R E A T I O N
In Athens, many things happen. We started our syllogism stating that Ath-
ens is like a puzzle, each piece of which has particular value not only eco-
nomic but also social. There is no doubt that Athens is moving toward a sus-
tainable future.
But how many of our citizens are aware of this puzzle?
How many know that despite the economic crisis there are both public and
private initiatives that promote the regeneration of the city?
And if they know all that what opinion will be formed?
Can the perception of our people be influenced towards their own city?
We have to consider that the crisis has brought psychological depression
and the feeling of pessimism.
So there are pieces of a puzzle, there isn’t a clear picture, but there are
many remarkable actions.
What is missing then, is a connecting element that will unite the pieces of
the puzzle in order an image to be formed and also a raised awareness.
Why anyone must be interested in raising the awareness of citizens and
why also in forming a picture?
Citizens need to know that Athens is heading to a change. This change
needs ambassadors who will support and will enhance the process by par-
ticipation.
The development of a coherent and not fragmented image will demonstrate
at the international market that Athens is not diluted place, but a place that
is being reformed, and thus is offering diverse opportunities for investment.
Forming a clear city identity, a new brand narrative
Taking into account the emerging dynamics
Lean-ing up and setting down all the pieces of the puzzle:
Creation of value
Coordination & methodology for integrated action
We challenge ourselves for:
8. THE NEW LANDSCAPE FOR CITIES: OVERVIEW OF
GLOBAL TRENDS AND EUROPEAN STRATEGIES
P A G E 8J U N E 2 0 1 3
The 21st
century is characterized by a strong, global trend. Cities become the cor-
nerstone for the social development and social cohesion. Cities can be highly pro-
ductive, innovative, and green and hence desirable for our future. However the
rapid influx of new citizens presents overwhelming challenges to their governments
that have to deal with the positive benefits and the negative aspects of such a
fact. The demand for services, the tax revenues, the traffic congestion, the waste
management, and the access to resources and crime are some of these great
challenges. At the same time, globalization has connected cities in forms of com-
petition previously unknown –for capital, for resources, and for the Creative Class.
Some of these approaches are related to emerging roles of information technology,
and cities need to attract creative people to produce innovation and deal with ex-
periments related to urban planning, open governance, sharing and collaborative
economy, urban infrastructure.
Saskia Sassen suggests that ‘’It is the need to design a system that puts all that
technology truly at the service of the inhabitants—and not the other way around." O
Richard Sennett draws the attention,'' the smart city of today should not be the
nightmare of tomorrow.'' Finally, the Corporate Visions of companies that invest in
smart cities infrastructure and development, also propose a balance in the use of
technology in the urban environment emphasizing on the citizens needs . The de-
gree of technology’s physical involvement in citizen everyday life varies considera-
bly from company to company.
A T H E N S C O - C R E A T I O N
9. The current economic crisis, on the other hand, combined with growing citizen ex-
pectations, also is placing increasing pressure on cities to provide better and more
efficient infrastructures and services, often at minimum cost. This trend has contrib-
uted to the growing popularity and use of the term ‘Smart City.’ Definitions of a ‘Smart
City’ vary widely – ranging from the use of discrete new technology applications such
as RFID and the Internet of Things through to a more holistic conception of intelligent,
integrated working that is closely linked to the concept of Living Labs and user-
generated services. The former definition is widely used by ICT companies of all
shapes and sizes. The latter definition, albeit with more emphasis on user generated
services than ICT, has been loosely adopted by the European Commission. Since
early 1995, the European Commission has attempted to improve government ser-
vices, transactions and interactions with European citizens and businesses through
the funding and deployment of a wide variety of strategic ICT initiatives. The Net-
work of European Smart Cities, the Smart Cities Innovation network, the APOL-
LON, the International network of Mayors and High Political Representatives, the
Digital Cities, the CoreLabs CA are just a few of the initiatives that express this
P A G E 9J U N E 2 0 1 3
10. P A G E 1 0
The competition
to attract
investment,
tourists,
business
establishment,
major events and
natural
inhabitants.
Challenges & Competitiveness
The city is a concept with many dimensions and expresses
and includes aspects of the wider society. It is a place of resi-
dence, production and consumption, according to Lefebvre,
history site, with social conflicts and contradictions, a place of
unique natural and eco-logical characteristics and cultural
values. The city is neither static nor given, and urban devel-
opment is associated with global economy and its relation-
ships with other cities.
The model for a creative city can be regarded as a modern
tool for city strategic planning and a tool for achieving city’s
competitiveness. The cities participating in an international
competition to attract investment, tourists, business establishment, major
events and natural inhabitants. Their aim is to rise on the urban hierarchy
system.
Different approaches to the creative city concept, summarized in a typol-
ogy defined by three main components: a) focus on creativity as a tool for
urban development, b) supporting the concept of creative city in the use
of creative activities / industries ( expanding cultural activities), c) a
framework that supports the ability to attract creative city creative abili-
ties, the creative class.
The competition if you look it under a global perspective is great. How-
ever we want to focus on a smaller range and achieving at this, in the fu-
ture we will broaden our horizons. With the philosophy that success is
being achieved climbing one step at a time we see as main competitors,
the cities of Istanbul, Berlin, Barcelona, Rome.
Istanbul, based on a national strategic planning, makes large investments
in city branding, in host-
ing conferences of
worldwide importance
and in cultivating entre-
preneurship. The recent
political instability, and
social problems, are the
only black spots in this
transformation of Istan-
bul into a dynamic and
smart modern city.
Berlin, is referred as
"the Silicon Valley of
Europe" and "the new
Mecca of Internet", and
A T H E N S C O - C R E A T I O N
11. P A G E 1 1J U N E 2 0 1 3
lures a lot of experts who influence policy, entrepreneurship, education, plan-
ning, society and culture. The intense creativity of the city, attracts many artists
in Berlin, and the city is turning into the one of the most exciting cities in Europe.
It is clear that Berlin is a strong competitor for Athens and certainly an example
for emulation.
The city of Barcelona, belongs to the "cities of knowledge", is a "cultural capital"
of Europe and has built a strong infrastructure in the creative sector. The suc-
cess of the 1992 Olympics, led the government gradually in a shift to a strategic
planning and implementation of policies related to the model of creative cities.
The exemplary use of tourist development and cultural heritage, seems to be
one path the city follows.
Hosting events such as the annual report GSMA Mobile Word Congress that at-
tracts more than 65,000 visitors each year and is considered as the "showcase"
of global technology in the field of mobile communications and the wider digital
communication, is the other path. In Barcelona, the creative industries have be-
come one of the key features of the city with a long history of innovation and
creativity (Mascarell, 2006) and are associated with the cultural sector. It's safe
to say that today Barcelona is culturally strong and dense, mainly thanks to the
fact that culture has been at the center of urban development through cultural
policies that are committed to innovation, creativity and coexistence (Crossa et
al., 2010). Some examples of creative industries in the city are the 22 @ Barce-
lona Project, the Business Center Glories, the Hangar, the MACBA, the Torre
Collserola, the Primavera Sound Festival etc. (Acre 2007).
Rome because of its geographical proximity is also among the cities with an
emerging competing to Athens. The stable city branding, as the eternal city, a
historic city with prestige and stability among the assets, whereas some actions
to become a smart city, despite the bureaucratic shortcomings, gives a clear im-
age that the city moves forward and tries to deal with the emerging problems.
12. P A G E 1 2
Think Big
and
Start Small
Methodological approach
The Lean Start up model
A T H E N S C O - C R E A T I O N
Which is the appropriate method in order to be able to follow the con-
tinuous changes and at the same time maintain the viability of a city;
Which model is capable to be able to incorporate all of the aforemen-
tioned parameters and be able to absorb setbacks and transform them
into opportunities for change? The Lean start up model.
As Steve Blank mentions “It’s a methodology which favors experimen-
tation over elaborate planning, customer feedback over intuition, and
iterative design over traditional “big design up front” development. Al-
though the methodology is just a few years old, its concepts—such as
“minimum viable product” and “pivoting”—have quickly taken root in
the start-up world, and business schools have already begun adapting
their curricula to teach them.
Lean Start up, provides a scientific approach of creating and managing
start ups and get a desired product to customers hands faster. The
lean start up method teaches you how to drive to start up how to steer,
when to turn, and when to persevere and grow a business with maxi-
mum acceleration. It is a principled approach to new product develop-
ment.
Principle: Think Big and Start Small
4 steps: Eliminate Uncertainty, Work Smarter and Harder, Develop a
Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Validated Learning
Following a list of the famous universities as Stanford and Harvard
that have made the switch to the lean start up business model, Blank-
states “The first hundred years of management education focused on
building strategies and tools that formalized execution and efficiency
for existing businesses. Now, we have the first set of tools for search-
ing for new business models as we launch start-up ventures. It also
happens to have arrived just in time to help existing companies deal
with the forces of continual disruption. In the 21st century those forces
will make people in every kind of organization—start-ups, small busi-
nesses, corporations, and government—feel the pressure of rapid
change. The lean start-up approach will help them meet it head-on, in-
novate rapidly, and transform business as we know it”.
13. Branding Athens:
Unveiling the Difference
P A G E 1 3J U N E 2 0 1 3
We need to form a new identity, the real one that will promote confidence to the external en-
vironment in order to invest to our future.
Creation
Praxis
Delight
The three branding pillars
People
feed the
history
Τhe economic crisis in Greece in recent years, combined with the weakness or
non-selection for a form of a national strategy that is consistent with international
developments, has negatively affected the Athens role in the international trend,
that is followed by most cities abroad. But the emerging initiatives like the Re-
launching Athens project, the Re- think project, the Niarchos project, the awarded
start ups, the volunteerism, the creativity of the cultural sector are elements and
actions which reveal that Athens is following global trends and starts to form a
role .
We have action with participative collaboration and we have values and we have
also cultural venues to enjoy.
That is now our story and we ought to promote it.
But is this the competitive advantage of Athens?
The advantage of the city is that it forms gradually a cluster of culture, of creative
start ups and of volunteering participation.
In order our story to be unfolded—and that will not happen in a glance– we need
our people to believe in it, because they are our ambassadors. According to
Charles Landry, “creativity is the backbone of the city, and the critical resource is
their people. It is the intelligence, the vitality, the imagination and most of all the
creativity of people that feed the history. Indeed, the intensity of this creative
power and its exploitation, is the key that will determine the progress and manage
the sustainability of each city”.
14. P A G E 1 4
Creating our
narrative
Creation
When we speak about creation we are referring to all those actions that create
value in the city. And these are the universities and their actions, the Start ups
and all those business activities such as the fashion designers.
Praxis
What could be defined as Praxis; Are all those operations that indicate that the
city is alive, is evolving, has vision and values. All those projects that are under-
way in the city for the change of the urban environment to a sustainable future,
belong here. The value of Athens is not only those players who dream to
change the city but also the people that in difficult times help others who have
problems of living, but also through initiatives that help the development at a so-
cial level, and the protection of the environment. Solidarity, the act of assisting
your fellows, to have and to offer the support for the completion of a project, is
what has characterized the Athenians and in the preset time has transformed to
a statute.
Delight
Athens is a city of pleasure. Plenty of café, bars, places to relax, corners with
small taverns, green spaces, all this and so much more are dominating the town
and the region, the beach. Also there are numerous cultural proposals for all
tastes. Each corner has its special character, its own story to tell.
A T H E N S C O - C R E A T I O N
Creating our narrative
Referring to our people, the Athenians of the center and of the pe-
riphery we provoke them to explore the possibilities of Athens. Explor-
ing this possibilities, we believe that they will create a new perception
about their city and gradually they will be much more involved to the
project, not only through volunteering actions but participate with the
completion of them, either working, either promoting the identity or pro-
posing further actions.
Referring to the global community, we invite them to explore the
possibilities of Athens, to observe the changes, to understand that
the city is open to opportunities for creation, for investments, for de-
light. Rome, Istanbul, Berlin and Barcelona are great places but Athens
is something more.
Anything could happen in this city.
15. Projects that push the image of the city
P A G E 1 5J U N E 2 0 1 3
Culture has always been a part of the identity of Athens. The challenge now is to inte-
grate convincingly into a modern city branding, avoiding the persistent reference to our
ancient past or the association of culture exclusively with ‘’big’’ professional productions
We do not underestimate the importance of the Parthenon, the Greek Festival or the
National Theatre.
But we are mainly interested in a mostly bottom up version of culture .
A version where citizen participation is crucial.
A version where we may test our ideas - using the lean start up methodol-
ogy at the lowest possible cost ,so if something will not evolve as imag-
ined then we will be able to modify it in time.
A version that raises the indicators of quality of life in the city and that the
options it offers make Athens more attractive to visit (cultural tourism) or to
live.
A version that creates business opportunities.
Our starting point was that one can notice that despite the very difficult times we
are experiencing, the Athenians still show remarkably increased interest in culture
and high creative activity. This is indicated by the hundreds of amateur art groups,
numerous cultural venues (theatres , galleries, cinemas, music scenes) which
have equally numerous fans, successful and inspiring educational workshops of-
fered at Athenian museums ,etc.
ACTIONS
1 . To fill the empty space (empty shops and buildings) in the center of Athens (with em-
phasis on the empty spaces at Panepistimiou street, see rethink Athens) in a partnership
with local young artists, professional or amateur groups, for a variety of events, rehearsals,
workshops, presentations etc. at lower-than-commercial rents As a result we create a
more vibrant and upgraded city center
2. To organize competitions between local artistic groups . The winners will have the
opportunity to present their work in key cultural sites (eg Technopolis) with the sup-
port of the municipality. The idea is to organize a quality Athenian "talent show" with
residents in a key role (whether as judges or as participants)
3. To collect and provide data on cultural activities in Athens through the platform we pro-
pose, making relevant information easily accessible
4. To promote the idea of locating together many cultural clusters, in a particular
area of Athens , for example along the Panepistimiou street, which will make it even eas-
ier to be visited by Athenians and tourists.
The vision in these actions is clear: the culture which is a part of Athenian life and history
could become our trademark, to highlight and strengthen what already exists at the lowest
possible cost and to create entrepreneurial perspectives. As potential partners in these
actions we consider the municipality of Athens, voluntary organizations, entrepreneurs and
of course the Athenians themselves. It is very important to benefit from the web develop-
ment which will allow promoting and organizing the entire project at low cost.
BRINGING CULTURE TO THE FOREGROUND
Our
trademark
16. P A G E 1 6
THE BICYCLE CULTURE
The main target of contemporary cities and their competitive advantage
at the same time is the degree to which they can evolve in order to be-
come more attractive, more sustainable, safer, healthier. Athens has be-
gun efforts to change its identity, formulating into a sustainable city and
also into an attractive in innovation and business—creativity place. In this
map of efforts the bike—use seems to be able to enhance these efforts
both in terms of improving the quality of life of residents, and attracting
new business activation and alternative forms of tourism.
What needs to be done? Reform of town’s planning and city’s landscape
exploitation; enhance the tendency for change in the resident’s culture,
regarding the use of the bicycle and its integration into daily life. It is also
needed to succeed cooperation of the private sector with municipal and
state agencies, will allow efficient exchange of knowledge and experi-
ence in order to effectively create the necessary infrastructure.
Athens, as the wider region of Attica, is in process of regeneration. There
have already been approved and in progress, there are plans for the re-
generation for municipalities of Attica, as is the program Re-Launching
Athens and Rethink Athens. While in 2013 and through programs of
"Green Fund", five municipalities of Attica have already adopted the mu-
nicipal police patrols with electric bikes, and action "Automated Shared
Bicycle". Actions that seem to be encouraging and innovative.
The city planner Jeff Risom stated in a recent interview in 2011: "I did a
bike ride in Athens and I think it's fantastic; core of the skeleton of the city
is great for cycling: the buildings have human scale dimensions, the
roads have the width you need, everyday life outside the home is full of
vitality, key destinations are close together and the climate is perfect.”
These elements make Athens the place to develop the use of the bicycle
as a primary means of transportation in the city. This use as part of exist-
ing operations to the formation of Athens, is able to convert it into an en-
ergy and environmentally sustainable and friendly city.
Within the city limits, there are already formulated bicycle routes, which
can meet the needs from a quiet stroll to even downhill rides. These
routes already utilized both individually and in terms of cycling clubs and
joining the center of Athens, the suburbs, as are the ex-royal estate at
Tatoi. The fact that the cycling clubs of Athens are increasing is the evi-
dence of a change of the people’s culture regarding to bicycle use. That’s
another value that the city already owns.
In recent years, Athens Bike Festival is held annually, with this
year's event to have included the part of cycling tourism. Visitors to the
exhibition were able to come into contact with companies that offer solu-
tions and options within the cycling tourism. The European Union, recog-
nizing the business opportunities that may arise to any country through
the cycling tourism, is already developing similar programs with the
global trend.
A T H E N S C O - C R E A T I O N
Urban Cycling
and
Sportsmanship
Cycling
17. For example, there is the application program "Biking the Iron Cur-
tain Trail", in which cyclists are crossing 20 countries of Southeast Europe,
including Greece, Hungary, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria and Serbia. The
Greece in general and the area in the suburbs of Athens could be a cycling
tourism destination, especially without costly actions to succeed it. Essen-
tially, what is needed at a first level is to clarify the responsibilities of or-
ganizations (particularly in the mountains, such as Mount Parnitha) and
communication and collaboration of professionals mainly cyclists of Athens
with public bodies for the soundest and most effective organization of bicy-
cle races (e.g. Downhill), attraction of the global populans and develop-
ment of the relevant business activity.
Urban Bicycling and Sportsmanship Bicycling
The proposal concerning the nomination of bicycle use includes 2
main areas: the urban cycling and sportsmanship cycling.
Urban cycling is implemented into the city limits. Athens has all the
geophysical characteristics that favor the development of bicycle use. In
recent years, moreover, the bicycle culture of the residents has been de-
veloped. What remains to be done is an urban reconstruction, where suit-
able bike paths will join into agrid, in order to make cycling principal carrier
of city residents and visitors initially. The program is part of the urban cy-
cling which is already included in the plans for remodeling Athens, and has
already been tested on a small scale appeal of the results to be very en-
couraging.
The actions for the development and utilization of cycling tourism
are at primary stage. Parnitha, Hymettus and Egaleo Mount surround Ath-
ens and are characterized by cyclists as ideal for downhill rides. Through
the exploitation Athens will be able to gain share of the global bicycle tour-
ism and will be able to integrate with the suburbs. Essential to this is the
collaboration of the Municipality of Athens with Municipalities jurisdiction of
such regions (Varimpompis and Aharnon Petroupoli, Kaisarianis etc.), with
cycling clubs (Acharnai Ride, Odysseus, PDO), the Forestry (to avoid any
obstacles jurisdiction or wrong path planning) and private entities. Particu-
lar attention should be given to the design racing routes, and the fact that
have not yet been clarified the properties of some parts of the mountain. At
the same time, it is necessary to find funds for the route planning and orga-
nizing matches mountainous cycling. The European Union could be a pri-
mary source of income, and in recent years developed promotes cycling
promotion programs, such as the Curtain Iron Trail.
P A G E 1 7J U N E 2 0 1 3
18. P A G E 1 8
Each piece of
the city's
puzzle has its
own value,
but together
we have
super value.
THE CITY LIKE A PUZZLE
Athens is not only the center but also the region with its suburbs. Each of
these has its own story to highlight, it is a smaller but significant cell of
creation, praxis and delight.
In collaboration with each municipality separately but with the assistance
of the authorities of the region, each suburb of Athens will have the oppor-
tunity of branding.
The formation of a space that ‘cities’ will emit the dynamics, with the par-
ticipation of all stakeholders in the area or the shops and the malls, to pro-
mote leisure time areas for adults and children or generally options.
We recommend the online platform as the ideal way to promote that im-
age. With the involvement of the organization of public transportation the
site will offer the how and the way to access them.
The aim is not only the city's public to know the choices, but also the tour-
ists who come to Athens. The formation of an area of shared display un-
fold not only the specificity of each municipality but as well the comple-
mentarily of town called Athens.
Each piece of the puzzle has its own value, but together we have super
value.
A T H E N S C O - C R E A T I O N
19. P A G E 1 9
Purposes of Application
Linking the citizen with the municipality,
increasing business in neighborhoods,
promotion of individual municipalities,
engaging citizens with public issues,
the increase of tourism in municipalities in order to have the opportunity
to explore all the unknown everyday-aspects of the city.
The narrative
Starting from the Athenian democracy's principles -in the 5th century- we will
use two elements of the past. The concept of city-state and the concept of
citizen.
As a city-state, we mean not only the center of Athens but also the suburbs .
We connect the term "citizen" with the concept of participation, meaning
people that involving themselves in the processes and decisions, and finally
with the citizen that feels the city as an extension of his identity.
Process of Two Programs
Show me your neighborhood
One citizen from each municipality undertakes to promote the image of his
neighborhood for a week. Thus, we can see activities in the Municipality re-
lating to all potential ages.
Every month, a neighborhood
A game of competition between the municipalities of Athens. For one month
the emphasis is on activities in each municipality.
Technical Requirements-Synergies among Municipal-
ties
The appearance of municipalities will be promoted through a Web platform
and social media.
An application that allows the user to follow the neighborhood action: A form
of a calendar
Extension of
Identities
City↔Citizens
20. THE CITY LIKE A PUZZLE
Athens is a mosaic of images, ideas and visions. It is a city that has its own
special history. This story will be emerged through a series of events (web -
series).
Objectives
To unfold the city's identity, the particular form, the true story.
Narrative
The city is the platform of action, the actors are the people of Athens that
divulge the rhythm. The ‘sites’ of the city will be areas from our communica-
tion pillars, the creation, the praxis, the delight.
Philosophy
The constant promotion of the city at the global audience and at the Athe-
nian public.
Promoting the image in order to increase tourism but also in order to form a
perspective of Athens.
Further action
Following the global trend of film tourism-namely promoting the country
through audiovisual media-, Athens will have the ability to boost tourism
tailoring tourist routes and visits to city’s places that are being projected
through the web-series.
Further Details
Online Promotion and Display
Subtitles in English (at the beginning, gradually in other languages) .
Promoting the Greek language.
Greek musical background. Particular emphasis on new Greek main-
streams(in English lyrics) productions and other musical paradigms .
A T H E N S C O - C R E A T I O N
P A G E 2 0
THE CITY AS A JOURNAL