Last updated: October 2021
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) is a project finalised in 2016 and “handed over” through a public/private partnership scheme, from the foundation/donor to the Greek state. The site hosts the National Library of Greece and the Greek National Opera in a 170,000 sq m landscaped park. The SNFCC's objective is to restore Greece's image and become a global role model of environmental sustainability. The project is committed to a range of educational and cultural activities, which have been provided for free. It also claims flood-regulating functions, air quality improvement impacts and shade provision, among others. [1]
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center
Source: Ref. 1
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Nature on buildings (external)
- Green roofs
- Grey infrastructure featuring greens
- Alley or street trees and other street vegetation
- Green playgrounds and school grounds
- Institutional green space
- Parks and urban forests
- Large urban parks or forests
- Blue infrastructure
- Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries
- Green areas for water management
- Sustainable urban drainage systems
Key challenges
- Water management (SDG 6)
- Stormwater and rainfall management and storage
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Green space creation and/or management
- Regeneration, land-use and urban development
- Regulation of built environment
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Environmental education
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
- Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
- Economic development: industry
- Tourism support
- Employment/job creation
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Knowledge creation and awareness raising
Project objectives
Goals [1]:
- establish SNFCC as a “brand name” that is associated with ‘Stavros Niarchos’ and is linked to culture, education and sustainability;
- hosting two organizations;
- creating a cultural, educational and sustainable park;
- boosting the local economy;
- creating an environmentally responsible landmark;
- recovering the connection to the sea;
- compost generation and use;
- light pollution reduction techniques.
Implementation activities
In 2006, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation announced its plans to fund the development of the “Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center”; a project that includes the construction and complete outfitting of new facilities for the National Library of Greece and the Greek National Opera, as well as the creation of a 210, 000 m² park. This project emerged through a combination of drivers. First, the lasting request from the two hosted organizations for help in order to be able to better respond to their functional needs, including relocation to more suitable buildings. The SNF’s willingness to support and “upgrade” these organizations dates back to 1998. Second, the local public’s pressure and demand for the territory to be cleansed and rejuvenated. The project was assigned to the architectural supervision of the Renzo Piano Building Workshop. Since 2017 the SNFCC is managed by the SNFCC SA, which has a management board with a 3-year service and appointed by the government. [1]
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity restoration:
- Restore native species
- Restore valued species
- Public engagement
Main beneficiaries
- Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital)
- Non-government organisation/Civil Society
- Private sector/Corporate/Company
- Citizens or community groups
- Other
Governance
Management set-up
- Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Private foundation/trust
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Other
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The conceptualisation, design, type of uses and the technical execution of the whole of the SNFCC project were top-down, part of the vision and decision-making of the SNF private foundation. The Greek State signed an agreement ratified by the Greek Parliament (Law 3785-2009), upon which the SNF assumes the total cost of construction and upon completion donates it to the Greek State, which in turn undertakes its full control and operation. The management company of the complex (SNFCC SA) is under the oversight and control of the Ministry of Finance. Nevertheless, the executive team of the company (circa 40 employees) is maintained as it was under private supervision by the SNF. [1]
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
No
... a national policy or strategy?
No
... a local policy or strategy?
No
Financing
Total cost
More than €4,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- Private Foundation/Trust
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Energy efficiency improvements
- Water management and blue areas
- Improved water quality
- Improved stormwater management
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
- Reduced biodiversity loss
- Increased number of species present
Economic impacts
- Increase of green jobs (e.g. paid employment positions)
- More sustainable tourism
- Attraction of business and investment
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Improved access to urban green space
- Increased opportunities for social interaction
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Education
- Increased support for education and scientific research
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
1. Kotsila, P. (2018). NATURVATION – Case Study Working Paper Athens.
2. Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (no date) Available at: Source link. Accessed on 23rd July, 2020.
3. Wikipedia page of Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (no date) Available at: Source link. Accessed on 23rd July, 2020.
2. Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (no date) Available at: Source link. Accessed on 23rd July, 2020.
3. Wikipedia page of Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (no date) Available at: Source link. Accessed on 23rd July, 2020.
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center
Source: Ref. 1