VM Consultants

Client: Rodopi Development Enterprise SA
Year: 2003
Budget: 1.100.000€

ISSUE Π.ΠΕΡΙΒ/ΝΤΟΣ

The purpose of the project was the determination of rural tourism routes for accessing the rural areas and highlighting these areas with mild interventions and preservation of local architecture and rural tourism. The study was conducted under the Local European Community Programme LEADER+ 2000 – 2006 of Rodopi Prefecture in order to elevate the environmental and cultural assets and promote entrepreneurial activities based upon quality and innovation principles. Particularly, the study was related to Measure 1.3: support actions for the improvement of the competitiveness of the region through the implementation of integrated interventions that milden the disadvantages and reduce the disparities in the quality of life between mountain and non-mountain areas.

SOLUTION
The project included two phases of implementation, as follows:

Phase A: (1) description of the existing condition (determination of the implementation area of the Program and analysis of the existing condition, physiognomy of the intervention area, description of natural and human environment, demographic evolution of the intervention area, presentation of financial data, development tendencies in the area, recording of existing infrastructure, description of the cultural environment, - areas with interesting local architecture and rural tourism, determination of local architectural elements), (2) analysis of the characteristics in regard to the visitor’s interest, and (3) a presentation of the proposed routes, with characteristics of each route (from where it goes, what it offers etc)
Phase B: (1) brief reference to the natural and human environment of the region, (2) comprehensive details of the proposed interventions, (3) technical description of the required works along with estimation of quantities and budget.

The proposed interventions were:

Position Chionorema, located north of the community of Symbola, 3.0km west of the stream from bridge “Tsami”, with a length of about 1.200m; in this area, with a width of 70m, native species of trees and shrubs were provided, as well as the formation of four glades in series, with kiosk, bar, barbecues, faucets, tables and chairs, wooden fencing, toilets (WC), plantings, pathways and pergolas
Position of Hellenistic Tomb, located north of Symbola and 400m from the community’s border line, where archeological findings of a Hellenistic tomb exist; across the street there is a small plateau which will be provided with wooden benches and native species of plants
Positions along the roadway to Nimfea, the area is located along the road that connects Komotini and Nimfea (aesthetic forest of Nimfea); at locations were the terrain is favorable (four in total), rest areas will be provided with benches etc
Position Bridge (area of Tichero), located east of town of Tichero where an old stone bridge of characteristic architecture with two arches is preserved; in the area around the bridge, a construction of a viewing site is proposed with landscaping the surroundings with native plants and wooden bencher
Community of Pandrosus, which is proposed for landscape embellishment of the surrounding area around the school, the former municipal building and the building that hosts the cultural association of the town, along with the conversion of the former municipal building into a Museum of Natural History, in order to enhance the natural environment of the region; moreover, within the surrounding area will be provided wooden benches, lights, stone faucets and plants

BENEFIT
The aforementioned study delivered a useful tool to Rodopi Development Enterprise SA, for accessing the rural areas and highlighting these areas with mild interventions and preservation of local architecture and rural tourism of Prefecture of Rodopi.