Restoration of the Natural Environment and Safety in the Municipality of Penteli
SUBMITTED FROM:
LAMDA DEVELOPMENT
Lamda Development is the undisputed leader in the shopping centres management sector (The Mall Athens, Golden Hall, Mediterranean Cosmos). Its assets portfolio also includes office spaces, residential developments, as well as the Flisvos Marina. Lamda Development has undertaken the integrated metropolitan redevelopment of the area of the former ‘Hellinikon’ airport, which will be the largest private investment in Greece and the largest urban redevelopment project in Europe.
The objective of the initiative "Restoration of the Natural Environment and Safety in the Municipality of Penteli" was to address holistically the consequences of the devastating wildfires of August 2024, through targeted interventions that enhanced public safety, restored the natural landscape, and upgraded critical infrastructure. In strategic collaboration with the Municipality of Penteli, LAMDA Development responded swiftly to the urgent need for recovery, with sustainable development and social responsibility at the core of its approach.
The initiative aimed to:
Strengthening the area’s resilience against future natural disasters through reforestation with fire-resistant plant species and the creation of wildfire protection zones.
Enhancing safety within the urban environment, especially near school zones, through infrastructure projects such as the installation of protective fencing along the Panagouli stream.
Improving the daily lives of residents and students by upgrading educational infrastructure.
Fostering environmental awareness among younger generations by encouraging children’s active participation in tree-planting and tree adoption activities.
The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and key ESG indicators, contributing to community resilience, social well-being, and the regeneration of the natural environment.
Target Audience
The initiative “Restoration of the Natural Environment and Safety in the Municipality of Penteli” targets a multi-level audience:
1. The Local Community. Residents of the Municipality of Penteli, who were directly affected by the wildfires and needed immediate restoration of the natural environment and improved safety in their daily lives. Students and teachers at local schools, whose quality of life and learning environment were enhanced through new infrastructure and improved safety measures. Parents and families, who gained peace of mind from the increased safety around school facilities.
2. Local Authorities and Public Bodies. The Municipality of Penteli, which actively collaborated with the company and benefited from both technical and financial support. Civil protection authorities, who witnessed the implementation of effective prevention and resilience practices in the face of future disasters.
3. The Younger Generation / School Community. Through the symbolic participation of students in tree-planting and “tree adoption” activities, the initiative fosters environmental awareness and a sense of ownership and engagement in building solutions for a shared future.
4. The Business and Investment Community. The initiative also addresses stakeholders such as investors, certification bodies, and awards committees who track best practices in responsible business conduct and evaluate the company’s ESG strategy — as well as other companies and organizations seeking models of impactful corporate action.
Duration
Six months (from the beginning of consultations with the Municipality of Penteli and representatives of scientific bodies until the implementation of the initiative)
Description
The initiative “Restoration of the Natural Environment and Safety in the Municipality of Penteli” was designed and implemented by LAMDA Development, in close collaboration with the Municipality of Penteli, with the aim of providing an immediate and meaningful response to the extensive damage caused by the devastating wildfires of August 2024. For LAMDA Development, the restoration of the natural environment is not merely a reactive measure, but a proactive strategy for resilience, protection, and regeneration. Based on the principle of sustainability as a tool for prevention and social cohesion, the implementation focused on three interrelated pillars:
Safety and Infrastructure: the installation of a 280-metre protective fence in a high-risk area near local schools.
Reforestation and Environmental Protection: the restoration of 27 acres of green space with fire-resistant plant species that serve as natural wildfire barriers.
Enhancement of Educational Infrastructure: the installation of 18 air-conditioning units to improve learning conditions in local schools.
What sets this initiative apart is its holistic nature, treating the restoration of the environment not merely as damage repair, but as a strategic lever for prevention, resilience, and social empowerment. The use of scientifically selected, fire-resistant plant species to create natural firebreaks, the rapid six-month implementation timeline, the integrated approach that connects environmental restoration with public safety and education, and the active involvement of students through the symbolic "adoption" of trees all contribute to a multi-dimensional intervention with long-term social and environmental impact. This initiative highlights nature as an ally, sustainability as a strategic choice for prevention, and responsible entrepreneurship as a catalyst for positive change.
LAMDA Development’s initiative to restore the natural environment and enhance safety in the Municipality of Penteli had a direct and meaningful impact on the local community, addressing real and pressing needs—particularly those of the student population. The installation of a new 280-metre protective fence along the Panagouli stream eliminated a daily risk faced by hundreds of children and residents passing through an area that had become dangerous after the wildfires. At the same time, the installation of 18 new air-conditioning units at the Junior High and High School of Nea Penteli significantly improved teaching and learning conditions, ensuring a comfortable indoor environment throughout the year for approximately 300 students and educators.
In terms of environmental restoration, a total of 27 acres were reforested at two critical locations in the municipality (the slope along the Panagouli stream and the Agios Nikolaos grove), with the planting of approximately 700 fire-resistant trees. These not only enhance biodiversity but also serve as natural barriers to help prevent the spread of future wildfires. The participation of students from Krystalleio Primary School in the tree-planting effort strengthened their environmental awareness and sense of involvement, fostering a generational shift in attitudes toward nature and sustainability.
Ultimately, the initiative succeeded in restoring not only the natural landscape, but also a renewed sense of safety, functionality, and hope within the local community.
Initiative Location
Municipality of Penteli – slope of Panagoulis Stream and the grove of Agios Nikolaos
Working with Organization
Municipality of Penteli
Workers Participation
The initiative involved employees of LAMDA Development, volunteers from the Municipality of Penteli, as well as students from Krystalleios Primary School.
Benefits for Οrganization
The benefits for the Municipality of Penteli from LAMDA Development’s initiative to restore the natural environment and enhance public safety were multi-dimensional, addressing critical local needs while strengthening the municipality’s cohesion, safety, and resilience. Specifically:
Enhanced Safety for Citizens and Students
The installation of 280 metres of protective fencing along the hazardous Panagouli stream eliminated a direct threat adjacent to a school complex and residential areas, ensuring the physical safety of hundreds of children and residents who pass through the area daily.
Immediate Restoration of the Burnt Natural Environment
The reforestation of 27 acres at two critical locations (the slope of the Panagouli stream and the Agios Nikolaos grove) played a key role in the ecological regeneration of the area after the 2024 wildfires, contributing to the revitalisation of green spaces, the enhancement of biodiversity, and the creation of natural firebreaks for the future.
Upgraded Educational Infrastructure
The installation of 18 new air-conditioning units at the Junior High and High School of Nea Penteli significantly improved classroom conditions, ensuring better learning and working environments for both students and teachers.
Increased Climate Resilience of the Municipality
The selection of fire-resistant plant species and the establishment of natural fire barriers strengthened the municipality’s environmental resilience, offering a model of prevention and recovery in times of growing climate-related risks.
Activation of the Local Community
The symbolic participation of students from Krystalleio Primary School in the tree-planting process fostered a deeper connection with their local environment, promoting environmental awareness and enhancing the community’s collective sense of ownership in the recovery and regeneration efforts.
