P19 Developing a brand new multifunctional green park outside Kalamata, Greece

Abstract Background Parks and green spaces are an integral part of daily life and contribute to all aspects of health and well-being both of urban residents and visitors. Especially during times of economic crisis the range of freely available activities and opportunities provided by organized green parks becomes particularly important. Furthermore, landscape management is closely related to open spaces and residential green spaces and it is acknowledged to be important for sustainable development. However, urban landscape management is a complex process that includes a number of different elements and relationships, mutually affecting each other. Methods The purpose of this paper is to present the development of a brand new multifunctional park outside Kalamata in Greece. The area is bounded between two rivers, Pamisos river and Aris river and it is located 10 km outside Kalamata and the main objective is to act as a multifunctional park for the temporary residents and tourists of Messinia area. Results The park will be consisted of a variety of sport activities, local industries, scientific activities and most of all “green” activities for educational purposes such as wind and solar energy production. Everyone, will be welcomed to get around the area, by foot or sustainable transportation, such as rented bicycles and a local train which will be getting rounds on the area. Cars will not be permitted except a small part of the area which will serve the industries. The new “green park” is seaside, for this reason, in order to reinforce this direct relationship with the sea, a jetty has been designed to protect the marina which is formed and be available for strolls for the public. Photo realistic presentations, diagrams and urban plans of the area have been rendered in order to show the way this small green society will be organized. Conclusions The present research describes how a total new park can be part of Kalamata city while at the same time can be acting as an independent area with it׳s own rules. This park, is aimed to provide the city with a hall new model of living with the hope of learning the residents the importance of living in a more environmentally sensitive way. Pollution, over consumption and waste of resources and goods will have no place in this park.