Opportunities and development prospects for the islands of the Region of Attica highlighted through the study of New Metropolitan Attica SA.

As part of the preparatory process for the Operational Programme of the Region of Attica for the new Programming Period 2021–2027, and specifically under Policy Objective 5, the strategic planning for Attica centers on strengthening the social and economic cohesion of the Region’s urban-metropolitan area. This includes addressing the needs of territories not currently covered by existing ITIs, capitalizing on Attica’s sectoral advantages and responding to the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Region of Attica’s new strategic framework prioritizes the promotion of sustainable and integrated development by designing and implementing new ITIs targeting previously uncovered areas. In this context, one of the thematic ITI proposals under the new OP “Attica 2021–2027” concerns the development and interconnection of the island cluster of the Region of Attica.

The Regional Unit of Islands, which includes the Saronic Islands as well as Kythera and Antikythera, is an integral part of Attica’s history and identity. It presents significant development potential in key sectors such as tourism, culture, and primary production, taking into account the distinct characteristics of each island. Notably, this island unit was not previously included in the territorial planning of the OP “Attica 2014–2020”.

This study, which will serve as the foundation for a fully developed ITI proposal, is structured around the following key axes:

• Mapping the current status and conducting a socio-economic analysis of the islands in the Regional Unit.
• Evaluating current conditions regarding the local economy, infrastructure, natural and built environment and quality of life.
• Identifying areas with comparative advantages and unique development potential.
• Detecting degraded zones with acute environmental, economic or social issues.
• Analyzing special factors such as the carrying capacity, the effects of tourism and seasonal population fluctuations (e.g., infrastructure stress in Aegina on weekends and summer months) and the energy and transportation needs, among others.
• Justifying the need for an integrated territorial intervention to enhance, develop, and interconnect the islands, and assessing the applicability of the ITI tool.

In tandem with this, the study aims to record the actions to be proposed within the framework of implementing the ITI in order to contribute to the formulation of a Marine Spatial Plan and to define the elements required for the transformation of the islands in terms of energy use, environmental sustainability, overall development and tourism.

Additionally, the study will determine the synergies that must be established in order to optimally leverage funding instruments and resources for the benefit of the local community.