Exhibition 2015

After the implementation of the so-called pioneer method of spatial planning, Test Planning Process (TPP), in Patras, an exhibition was organized in the city to present the proposals and the final recommendations of the steering committee to the public in November 2015, at Agora Argyri. The event took place in the presence of stakeholders’ representatives, numerous citizens and representatives of both local and international press. During this three-days exhibition, more than 180 citizens were guided by members of the steering committee in the context of planned guided tours.
Concerning the results, it was the first time that an integrated solution about spatial and railway development in Patras was submitted. More specifically, it demonstrates that a quick, effective and cost-efficient railway connection with a new railway station in the centre of Patras is possible. Beyond that, the urban development of Patras could gain a far-reaching stimulus from this approach. To reach these results, four highly qualified teams from Greece, Switzerland and Germany submitted their proposals, which were evaluated by an international steering committee of experts in spatial, urban and transport planning and the final recommendations were conducted to the stakeholders. Finally, it should be mentioned that Test Planning Process was an initiative of the three Universities, ΕΤΗ Zurich, University of Patras, and NTUA (National Technical University of Athens) and it was exclusively funded by ETH Zurich.
As a next step of this procedure and since solutions cannot be realised against the will of those affected by these changes, i.e. the participating actors and the population, people were asked to subscribe for a future workshop of ideas. Hence, more than 120 subscribed to participate to a workshop that is planned in the beginning of 2016 in Patras, focusing on informing the citizens with discussions, reflections and contributing to create a new culture of urban transportation in Greece where the railway has a key role.