Athens is looking to green space for healthier air and cooler temperatures

Athens has a significant shortage of green spaces. Photo: AFP

The city of Athens is encouraging the creation of small green spaces in place of old, abandoned or neglected lots. These small parks help to bring more greenery to the city, which is choked by vehicle pollution, while having a cooling effect.

It's not always easy to bring green space to a metropolis as dense as Athens, a city lacking in greenery and with a growing population, bringing with it a stream of new buildings.