An Integrated Territorial Investment – A flagship project for the Region of Attica.

Hadrian’s Aqueduct began operating in 140 AD, during the reign of Roman Emperor Hadrian, and is a remarkably resilient structure that constitutes a unique element of European Cultural Heritage (both Roman and later), in terms of both its length and type. It is the largest sustainable infrastructure of antiquity in Europe that is still functioning, showcasing not only its environmental and technical sophistication but also its long-standing economic and social significance. It is estimated that Hadrian’s Aqueduct remained fully operational until the period of Ottoman rule, serving as the primary water supply source for the Athens Basin. However, as it gradually fell into disuse, the first signs of infrastructural degradation began to appear. It was brought back into operation only upon intervention by Municipal Authorities during periods of acute water shortage, up until the early 20th century, when the aqueduct finally ceased to supply water to Athens. Since the mid-1990s, the Municipality of Metamorfosi began to reuse water from the historic aqueduct exclusively for irrigating green spaces, while in the summer of 2020, the Municipality of Chalandri made an effort to “revive” the Roman aqueduct not only as a cultural landmark but as an active element of the city’s daily life.

With a length of 23.5 kilometers (the majority of which is underground), beginning at the foot of Mount Parnitha and ending at Hadrian’s Reservoir in the Dexameni Square in Kolonaki, it passes through the areas of: Acharnes, Kato Kifisia, Metamorfosi, Irakleio, Marousi, Chalandri, Neo Psychiko and Ampelokipi.

An impressive contemporary repurposing of a historic component of Athens infrastructure.

• EYDAP

  At the initiative of EYDAP, a collaboration was launched with the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Region of Attica, and the interested Municipalities, aiming at the integrated promotion and utilization of a significant Roman-era infrastructure project. The expected benefits relate to the project’s environmental character, the irrigation of the area, and the creation of recreational and cultural spaces, which also include tourism prospects.

  During the cooperation of the involved institutions, it was decided to propose investments for the integrated exploitation of the aqueduct for inclusion in the new 2021–2027 Programming Period of the NSRF.

  Accordingly, both EYDAP and “New Metropolitan Attica SA”, the Development Organization of the Region of Attica, are jointly preparing studies for the promotion of Hadrian’s Aqueduct, with the goal of preparing a relevant strategic proposal and territorial investment actions.

  • η ανάπλαση της ζώνης που διανύει το Αδριάνειο Υδραγωγείο με στόχο τη μείωση της μέσης θερμοκρασίας στην πόλη,
  • η αξιοποίηση του νερού για τις τοπικές ανάγκες άρδευσης και η διασύνδεση του μνημείου με έργα πνοής των περιοχών που διανύει,
  • η προστασία του μνημείου,
  • η ενίσχυση της ανθεκτικότητας και της βιώσιμης ανάπτυξης, μέσα από τη διασύνδεση του έργου με τις ανάγκες της τοπικής οικονομίας, του πολιτισμού, της εκπαίδευσης κλπ.
• The Project:

  Environmental Impact

  The primary focus in enhancing Hadrian’s Aqueduct is the utilization of its water resources through the optimal irrigation of the aquifer and the coverage of the needs of the municipalities it passes through.

  The management of the aqueduct’s conduits and water falls under the jurisdiction of EYDAP, which has led the mobilization of the project, supported by existing studies and a range of actions over the years. It is worth noting that at present, Hadrian’s Aqueduct drains and discharges into the sea at least 800,000 cubic meters of the city’s groundwater annually, with  the Municipality of Metamorfosi setting the example for the future by successfully utilizing its share of the water resources. At the same time, the total demand from the eight municipalities for covering public space irrigation needs amounts to 854,000 cubic meters per year. By harnessing the aqueduct’s water resources, the estimated annual benefit for the municipalities in its course exceeds €170,000.

  Cultural and Touristic Benefits

  The promotion of Hadrian’s Aqueduct as a sustainable environmental landmark is also expected to yield cultural and touristic benefits; transforming the history of the structure into a ‘live’ experience, highlighting its central segment through innovative approaches to the natural environment and  therefore capitalizing on  the opportunity it brings to showcase and manage a prime example of the new style of cultural tourism being offered.

• The Preliminary Study

  With the signing of the programme agreement between the Region of Attica and the Development Organization “New Metropolitan Attica SA” for the Preliminary Study of the central axis of Hadrian’s Aqueduct, New Metropolitan Attica is implementing the study for the promotion and utilization of the largest still-functioning sustainable infrastructure of antiquity in Europe. This study will serve as a key tool in shaping the strategy for the “Integrated Territorial Intervention” of Hadrian’s Aqueduct and in submitting the corresponding application dossier for inclusion in the 2021–2027 NSRF Programme.

  Learn more about the Preliminary Study here.

• Partnerships

  A major project such as the promotion and utilization of Hadrian’s Aqueduct requires close and effective collaboration with all involved stakeholders.

  “New Metropolitan Attica SA”, undertaking the coordination of actions, has already initiated collaborations—ranging from the Region of Attica, EYDAP, and the 8 municipalities through which the aqueduct passes, to environmental organizations and Civil Society—with the aim of formulating the final proposal to be submitted for inclusion in the Attica Regional Operational Programme 2021–2027.

  AARFRC Resilience Center – Atlantic Council

  A particularly important partnership secured by “New Metropolitan Attica SA” is with the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative – Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center (AARFRC). The Center will undertake the study of heat phenomena along the aqueduct’s route, which will be coupled with the development of targeted parameters and interventions for the control and mitigation of heat, carried out by Greek and international experts in the fields of public health, urban forestry, climate, economics, infrastructure, and urban planning. The Resilience Center will process data that form the thermal profile of the areas traversed by Hadrian’s Aqueduct.

  Learn more about the collaboration with the Atlantic Council here.

  At the same time, actions have been initiated in cooperation with the Non-Profit Civil Company “Όχι Παίζουμε | UrbanDig Project”, which has been involved with Hadrian’s Aqueduct since September 2019, creating a platform of activities entitled “UrbanDig Hadrianio”, structured around three policy pillars: culture (monument), environment (water), and society (community networking).

  UrbanDig Hadrianio “excavates” the Roman Hadrian’s Aqueduct, drawing inspiration from its three-fold identity, as an intriguingly hidden and somewhat obscure  cultural monument, an untapped water resource and an unseen underground route, as well as highlighting its uniqueness in connecting city areas with varied character, such as Kolonaki and Menidi.

• Consultation

  Public consultation, active participation, and the input of all stakeholders are integral components in shaping a comprehensive territorial investment, ensuring both breadth and depth in the collective consciousness of the local community. The aim is for Hadrian’s Aqueduct to become a project that belongs to all actors involved.

  All citizens, institutions, professionals, local and regional authorities, scientific organizations, and representatives of Civil Society are invited to participate in the consultation process and submit their comments and proposals. These contributions will be incorporated into the drafting of the study for the specialization of the proposed development strategy of the Region and its corresponding action plan.

  If you represent a stakeholder organization or are a citizen who wishes to contribute to the timely identification of existing needs, priorities, and challenges—and if you would like to express your views on the implementation of interventions that will support this project—please submit your input here.