Positive Change

Ideas for a better city

Only positive ideas and improvement suggestions, without criticism and with polite language, aiming for a better Alexandroupoli, are accepted. Every suggestion is reviewed first and published only after approval.

Photo: Spiridon Ion Cepleanu, CC BY-SA 4.0

Cost

Feasibility

FEATURED

IDEA

The Thracian Woman Fountain

A modern sculpture-fountain that will become a new landmark of Alexandroupoli. At its centre stands a sculpture of a Thracian woman in traditional dress. Its distinctive feature is that the skirt is not solid, but formed by hundreds of thin vertical streams of water. The sculpture rotates slowly (a full rotation every 3-5 minutes). At night, RGB LED lighting transforms the water into a luminous veil. The Vision: A landmark work that turns local tradition into contemporary art, offering a unique audiovisual experience and connecting history with the element of water.

Proposed

The Musical Path of Colours (Interactive Floor)

FEATURED

IDEA

The Musical Path of Colours (Interactive Floor)

Replacing the abandoned, broken plastic paving on the pedestrian street before the Egnatia Turn (next to the tavernas) with a modern, durable 'Musical Path'. Industrial-grade, coloured blocks are installed in the ground. When children (or adults) step on them, the blocks produce soft musical notes and light up gently, creating an outdoor, interactive piano.

Proposed

The Sea Balcony (Natural Pool at the Egnatia Turn)

FEATURED

IDEA

The Sea Balcony (Natural Pool at the Egnatia Turn)

Building a state-of-the-art floating/fixed platform (e.g. 40 metres wide, 20 metres into the sea) at the level of the Egnatia Turn. The platform sits 20-30cm below the water surface and is surrounded by protective railings. Built from special, anti-slip marine materials (so it doesn't grow algae), it becomes a safe, shallow 'natural pool' right inside the Thracian Sea every summer.

Proposed

FEATURED

IDEA

The Sunset Frame

A simple metal frame placed along the seafront, facing Samothraki, framing the sunset and offering a ready-made, striking photo spot.

Proposed

FEATURED

IDEA

The Fairy & Dandelion Sculpture

A striking metal ballerina-fairy sculpture holding a dandelion, designed to interact with air and water. Water is sprayed under fine pressure, creating the illusion of an airy, watery skirt, while dandelion seeds appear to drift on the wind. Hidden, warm LED lighting gives the piece a fairy-tale quality at night. The Vision: Creating a "magical" spot within the city that plays with the famous Thracian wind, turning a natural element into living art that captivates children and draws in visitors.

Proposed

IDEA

Pilot Network of Smart Solar Benches on the Seafront

A pilot network of 5 to 8 smart solar benches will be installed at strategic points (e.g. from the Lighthouse to Egnatia Park). Their design lets visitors choose their view. Photovoltaic cells built into the seat store solar energy, which is then offered to users via wireless charging pads and a Wi-Fi hotspot, while at night the benches light up discreetly. The Vision: Turning the seafront's street furniture into "smart" resting points. The benches will face both ways (sea and city) and offer pedestrians 100% green, free energy to charge their devices, free Wi-Fi and atmospheric night lighting. Examples: Solar Smart Bench LST2 (BrasiT) · Smart Solar Bench set (EASYTAB) .

Proposed

IDEA

Free underground parking beneath Independence Park

The centre is squeezed by cars parked along streets and pavements. A free underground car park beneath Independence Park would free up surface space for pedestrians and cyclists, without losing a single square metre of the park itself once it's restored on top.

Proposed

IDEA

The Sea Organ at Argo Pier

A sea-organ system built into the pier by Argo park, near the Lighthouse. Wave motion pushes air through underwater pipes, producing soft, natural music through openings in the pier deck - inspired by the Sea Organ of Zadar, Croatia.

Proposed

IDEA

A floating viewing deck beside the Lighthouse

A small wooden deck extending out over the water next to the Lighthouse, perfect for sunsets, photos and a few quiet minutes above the sea. A small, inexpensive project with a big aesthetic payoff at the city's most photographed spot.

Proposed

IDEA

The Thracian Sea Swings (Boho Sea Swings)

A network of 3 to 5 sea swings will be installed in the shallows (30-50cm deep) of selected sandy beaches. The experience blends play, romance and the art of photography, using materials that blend harmoniously with the natural coastal landscape. The Vision: Creating Alexandroupoli's most photographed spot (an Instagram/TikTok hotspot), following the model of exotic destinations. Specially designed wooden swings with a "boho", natural aesthetic, placed in the shallow water, create the ultimate "frame" against the blue of the Thracian Sea, the silhouette of Samothrace and the sunset — free, organic, worldwide advertising for the area's tourism.

Proposed

IDEA

Smart Misting Stations

Fine water-misting points in squares and waiting areas, cooling passers-by during heatwave months.

Proposed

IDEA

A greener seafront: trees and flowers suited to our climate

Systematic planting of tamarisks and oleanders along the seafront, which tolerate salt spray and wind, and plane trees in squares and main streets for summer shade. A little more greenery means a cooler city, less dust, and prettier streets for residents and visitors alike.

Proposed

IDEA

Digital Tourist Card «Alexandroupoli City Pass»

With no need to download complicated apps, visitors buy the card through a dedicated portal and add it to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet on their phone. The digital pass contains a unique QR code; at museums, on buses and at partner businesses (from restaurants and cafés to shops and gift stores), staff simply scan it with a smartphone to validate the benefit or discount. The Vision: A single "smart" card, right on the visitor's phone, that unlocks the Municipality's entire tourist experience. By buying the "Alexandroupoli City Pass" (for 24, 48 or 72 hours), tourists get free travel on the urban bus network (KTEL), free entry to the city's museums, special discounts at local-product, souvenir and dining spots, and perks on eco-tourism activities (e.g. the Evros Delta) or the ferry connection to Samothrace. The city is upgraded into a top Smart Tourism destination, boosting turnover in the local market.

Proposed

IDEA

Kinetic Wind Sculptures

The sculptures run 100% autonomously on wind power, with no electricity. They're designed with aerodynamic vanes that "catch" the wind, offering a relaxing, almost hypnotic visual display. Installing 3 large pieces at strategic points (e.g. Egnatia Park, the seafront) would create a "Wind Trail" for pedestrians and cyclists. The Vision: Turning Thrace's strong wind from a nuisance... into a tourist attraction. Striking 3-5 metre metal sculptures placed along the seafront avenue. With moving parts that sway and rotate in harmony, they create a living artwork that constantly changes shape depending on the wind's direction and strength. The city gains new, contemporary landmarks.

Proposed

IDEA

Glowing Night Paths

Paths in parks and squares with a phosphorescent coating that charges from sunlight and glows softly at night, using no electricity.

Proposed

IDEA

Eco & Smart Showers: Sustainable Water Management at the Beaches

The old beach showers are being replaced with modern, anti-vandal, flow-controlled models. Instead of fragile motion sensors, the system uses piezoelectric time-delay push buttons that automatically cut off the water after 15-20 seconds. The project also connects to the Municipality's Smart City network to detect hidden leaks in real time. The Vision: A drastic cut in water waste at the city's organised beaches (e.g. EOT Beach), without sacrificing bathers' comfort. Upgrading the infrastructure strengthens the Municipality's environmental profile, helps maintain Blue Flag status, and significantly reduces DEYAA's water supply costs.

Proposed

IDEA

Interactive Musical Swings

A cluster of 6-8 swings is fitted with digital rotary encoders built into the hinges. Each swing "plays" different notes (e.g. piano, xylophone) depending on its motion, and when children swing in sync they produce full melodies. The musical scale is specifically designed (pentatonic) so the result is always harmonic, soothing and never jarring. The Vision: Simple play becomes collective music-making. The playground's swings act as one giant outdoor musical instrument, where the rhythm and height of each child's swinging composes a harmonic melody, turning the playground into a lively creative hub for the city.

Proposed