Xanthi

CHANGING A CITY'S IMAGE: THE CULTURAL FACE OF SUSTAINABILITY
Xanthi was the first Greek city awarded at a European level for its strategic plan and actions towards sustainable development and LA21 implementation. Through this initiative, it fosters a present strategy and actions towards the assurance of a better quality of life within an upgraded physical space and a change of the image of the city.
The rehabilitation programme for the Old Town, area of the former tobacco industry and Drosero concentrates on the social aspect of the areas’ complexity, supporting sensitive social groups, improving the social infrastructure, supporting professionals in the development of the typical traditional immigrant activities (handicraft, farm work), creating health centres and providing prefabricated housing items and encouraging participation against unemployment.
The spatial scale of the rehabilitation programme for Xanthi is local (improvement of the city structure, functions and image) as well as national (innovation example of the positive solutions for wide spread problems, attempt of solving the problems of informal immigrants settlement and social integration.) The redevelopment process has begun in 2001, the end completion is estimated for 2008.

Good practice and innovation:
1. Sustainable development understood as a crucial factor, building the political and diplomatic position of the city on international scene (regional centre of excellence)
2. Active participation in international network activities for the collection and exchange of the know-how
3. overall strategy aiming in application of the international standards on the local level