Creation of a new city partnership in Greece and Cyprus for future smart city developments
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Energy Cities was invited to participate to a networking meeting last March in Athens between the Municipalities of Aradippou (Cyprus) and Nafplio, Elefsina and Rafina-Pikermi (Greece).
The aim of the meeting – at the initiative of our member city Aradippou – was the creation of an inter-municipal partnership enabling the participating Municipalities to develop as Smart Cities within the wider region of Greece-Cyprus at the Southeastern corner of Europe.
The Municipalities presented their existing infrastructures and applicability of Smart City concepts including Harbor Applications with Smart Parking for large flows of travelers (in Rafina-Pikermi) and Energy, Education and Culture applications (in Aradippou, Nafplion and Elefsina). Aradippou referred more specifically to its Smart Grid investment programme which is expected to exceed 50 million EUR. Aradippou develops this programme in cooperation with the Co-operative Central Bank, the Larnaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Electricity Authority of Cyprus. Special reference was also made by Aradippou to the educational actions the Municipality develops in cooperation with the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute.
In presence of Mayor of Aradippou Mr. Evangelos Evangelides and Mayor of Nafplion Mr. Demetrios Kostouros, discussions highlighted the necessity and vision of Local Authorities for a coordinated effort for a better access and investment of available European funds. All the participating elected representatives confirmed the political willingness for the creation of a permanent strategic partnership.
Read the official press release
Mayor Evangelos Evangelides and representatives from Aradippou will particiapte to Energy Cities’ annual conference this week in Stuttgart (Germany) and attend our Wednesday side-event on “Smart Cities & Communities”.
Energy Cities – the network of European local authorities in energy transition – will be very happy to bring its support to this inititiative!
