KIPOS3

What I can see

The “Kipos (garden) cubed” occupies an area of approximately 8 acres and is the beginning of a vision of “urban commons”, aiming at social and cultural renewal and action, citizens’ right to the city, their mobilization and experimentation. Fertilizers are not used in the garden and it includes a 2-acre vineyard, which is developed in collaboration with the Agricultural School of AUTH, the Gerovasiliou estate and the forester-environmentalist Vangelis Matziris. It is inspired by Montmartre in France and produces around 350 bottles of white and red wine, which are not sold on the market, but given away at festive bazaars and charity events. The garden also includes other crops, such as fruit and vegetables. At the same time, it also works as a small recreational park.

What I can't see

There are many examples of such gardens throughout Europe and America. 30 families from the neighbourhood cooperate and take care of the garden, they get to know each other and work together. Thus, the neighbourhood becomes one big family. The Municipality of Thessaloniki also participates in the project and the know-how comes from a program of the Robert Bosch Foundation, in collaboration with the Goethe Institute of Thessaloniki and the Federal Association of Socio-Cultural Organizations of Germany. Previously, the site was a municipal trash truck parking lot and was paved with cement. With the Athens Olympic Games in 2004 and the participation of the Kaftanzoglio Stadium in the event, the site was designated a green area.

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