Trichonida Project | ΠOLITY architects

Developed by ΠOLITY, Trichonida Project aims to establish a strategic plan for the greater area of Lake Trichonida, in the Aetoloakarnania region.

-text and images provided by the authors

Lake Trichonida is the largest natural lake in Greece, covering an area of 98.6 square kilometers (38.1 sq mi). The lake and its environs are richly bio-diverse and contain numerous sites of cultural significance. The region surrounding Lake Trichonida has a predominantly agricultural character, defined by numerous villages and small towns. 

In light of these conditions, the following planning strategies were developed to create a sustainable economic production model:

• Landscape conservation and restoration of the area, through the systemic removal of harmful man-made interventions that have negatively impacted the lake and its ecosystems.
• Quality of life improvements focused on mitigating threats to the balance of Lake Trichonida’s fragile ecosystem.
• To maintain and strengthen the existing biodiversity, and to safeguard the reproductive capacity of the ecosystem as a basic resource for life.
• To improve access and connectivity between the lake and the surrounding villages and towns.
• The construction of a pedestrian priority ring-road around the lake, primarily for leisure and recreational activities.
• The development of a series of leisure and recreational activities in key areas around the lake.

Implementation of these design strategies would constitute one of the largest eco-parks in Greece.

Agroecosystem management and landscape conservation would work in concert to promote the value of local cultural assets and strengthen the visibility of heritage sites and local customs. Enhancing the environment of Lake Trichonida will contribute to a multifunctional vision of agriculture in Greece, one that integrates positive rural development and rural cultural diversity, with new forms of tourism. 

Enhancing the environment of Lake Trichonida will contribute to a multifunctional vision of agriculture in Greece, one that integrates positive rural development and rural cultural diversity, with new forms of tourism. 

Facts & Credits
Project Title   Trichonida Project
Location    Western Greece 
Architecture     ΠOLITY 
Research & Design Team    Georgia Anagnostaki, Eirini Andri, Natalia Sotirchou, Athina Xenouli (students from the University of Patras)
Consultants      Athanasios Petrakos, Christina Nikolakopoulou