How can Athens—and major cities in general—move from merely enduring heatwaves to actively adapting to them?
With more than half of Greeks already significantly affected by extreme heat—and 9 out of 10 considering it a serious threat—the need for action is more urgent than ever.
The program brings to the forefront voices behind innovative, citizen-driven solutions:
- Alexandra Garani (Mindworks Lab) explains how the Heatwave Project is reshaping the narrative—from passive endurance to collective action—and how different communities can co-create meaningful, everyday solutions for urban life.
- Martha Gatsinou (Greenpeace Greece) presents #CoolRoutes, an award-winning idea: a participatory, real-time map of “cool spots” in Athens, showing how citizens can guide one another through the city during heatwaves.
- Iro Fokianou introduces “Houfta-la & Mamounia”, a proposal linking heat resilience with urban biodiversity—highlighting the role of pollinators, small-scale green interventions, and intergenerational collaboration in the city’s natural “cooling” processes.
From digital tools to living ecosystems and community networks, this episode explores how innovation, participation, and trust can redefine the way we experience climate change in our cities.
Produced and presented by Katerina Batzaki
