Larissa is the capital and largest city of the Thessaly region in Greece with 164,381 inhabitants. It is a principal agricultural centre and a national transport hub in Central Greece. The city of Larissa also serves as a major commercial hub of the Thessaly region, attracting businesses and facilitating trade activities. It has a diverse industrial sector, encompassing manufacturing industries such as textiles, food processing, machinery, etc. dominated by SMEs.

Considering the recent challenges faced by Larissa, which include severe flooding and significant damage to a part of the city, there is a pressing need to pivot towards sustainable and resilient urban development. The objective should be clear: to transform Larissa into a green, zero-emission city that can withstand and mitigate such environmental threats.

To achieve this ambitious goal, the city has taken some action to this point, engaging in numerous programmes that involve stakeholder collaboration, namely, the Sustainable Urban Development Plan and the Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan. The following key areas should be addressed within the framework of ICC-initiatives: smart mobility, smart environment, smart economy, smart people and, smart governance. Data-driven strategies, supported by technologies like LORA data, underpin economic initiatives aimed at reducing environmental threats.

The city belives that in this endeavour, the ICC network plays a pivotal role as it aligns with Larissa’s strategic vision and offers vital support in the implementation of these diverse initiatives. Larissa hopes that together, it can work towards the transformation of Larissa into a sustainable, resilient and green city, setting an example for urban development in the 21st century.