Fanarioton Square
Petros Makridis, Architect and partner at Makridis Associates
Ntina Karydi, Managing director at Resilient Cities Catalyst
Ntina Karydi, Managing director at Resilient Cities Catalyst
The talk focuses on the transformation of Fanarioton Square and explores how a historic public space can be redesigned to meet the contemporary needs of the city. The speakers analyze the role of strategic urban design and collaboration in creating resilient and inclusive public spaces. At the same time, they highlight the importance of architectural thinking and public dialogue in shaping a more vibrant and functional urban fabric.
Petros Makridis was born in Thessaloniki in 1944 and holds a degree in Architectural Engineering from the School of Engineering of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, as well as a Master of Architecture from Syracuse University in the United States. In 1971, he co-founded the architectural practice “SBOURA,” and in 1978 he established Makridis Associates, which has operated as a corporate entity since 2007 and is today active in both Thessaloniki and Athens.
With more than 50 years of experience, he has designed and supervised a wide range of public and private projects. For the past 35 years, he has focused on energy-efficient and bioclimatic design, emphasizing sustainability, renewable energy sources, and ecological construction.
His approach is centered on improving environmental quality, energy efficiency, and innovation, while closely following technological developments in the field of architecture. He has participated in architectural competitions, received numerous awards, and his work has been widely published and presented in books, journals, conferences, and academic events. In recent years, he has also served as technical advisor to the firm, contributing to selected projects such as the “Revealing of the Monumental Axis of D. Gounari” and the “Holocaust Museum of Greece.”
With more than 50 years of experience, he has designed and supervised a wide range of public and private projects. For the past 35 years, he has focused on energy-efficient and bioclimatic design, emphasizing sustainability, renewable energy sources, and ecological construction.
His approach is centered on improving environmental quality, energy efficiency, and innovation, while closely following technological developments in the field of architecture. He has participated in architectural competitions, received numerous awards, and his work has been widely published and presented in books, journals, conferences, and academic events. In recent years, he has also served as technical advisor to the firm, contributing to selected projects such as the “Revealing of the Monumental Axis of D. Gounari” and the “Holocaust Museum of Greece.”
Νtina Karydi is an expert in international urban policy and serves as the General Director of the Athens office of Resilient Cities Catalyst, headquartered in New York and Athens, as well as Executive Vice President of the Climate Change Hub Greece initiative. She has over 15 years of professional experience in the design and implementation of public policies at national and international level, as well as in monitoring and financing public-interest projects that address urban risks and 21st-century development challenges, alongside expertise in capacity building and change management.
Previously, she served as Advisor to the Mayor of Athens for European and International Relations (2013–2015), Deputy Director for Europe & the Middle East at the Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities network, and expert to the European Commission on the implementation of the EU Urban Agenda. She is a member of the UNDRR Making Cities Resilient 2030 Europe and Central Asia advisory committee, as well as a board member of the European Fund for the Balkans Alumni network. She is a political scientist with postgraduate and professional specialization in global urban policy, public administration, and crisis management from University College London, Sorbonne Paris IV, and EPFL. In parallel, she actively supports voluntary initiatives and organizations focused on social empowerment and climate action.
Previously, she served as Advisor to the Mayor of Athens for European and International Relations (2013–2015), Deputy Director for Europe & the Middle East at the Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities network, and expert to the European Commission on the implementation of the EU Urban Agenda. She is a member of the UNDRR Making Cities Resilient 2030 Europe and Central Asia advisory committee, as well as a board member of the European Fund for the Balkans Alumni network. She is a political scientist with postgraduate and professional specialization in global urban policy, public administration, and crisis management from University College London, Sorbonne Paris IV, and EPFL. In parallel, she actively supports voluntary initiatives and organizations focused on social empowerment and climate action.
DOMa