Greece 2025

In the summer of 2025, as part of the Global Leaders in Construction Management (GLCM) program at Columbia University, the team had the opportunity to travel to Greece for an immersive exploration of the country’s evolving construction and infrastructure landscape. This visit provided a firsthand look at how Greece, a nation significantly impacted by the 2008–2009 financial crisis and the demands of hosting the Olympic Games, has pursued economic recovery through ambitious urban development initiatives and strategic foreign investment.

The itinerary included site visits to local transformative projects such as The Ellinikon and the Riviera Tower, led by successful local general contractor Aktor Group. These developments represent a bold vision for Greece’s future, centered on innovation, sustainability, and large-scale urban regeneration. The program also included meetings with a former GLCM fellow actively involved in leveraging the Greek golden visa program to attract foreign capital, and with Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC), a globally recognized, family-owned firm with a significant presence in the Middle East for various oil &gas projects. From an educational and collaborative perspective, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens hosted the team at their Technology Transfer Office (TTO) to showcase programs that guide students in turning ideas into businesses, along with sustainability initiatives and related case studies. The trip concluded with a visit to Columbia’s Global Center in Athens, vital in fostering academic exchange and advancing Columbia University’s international collaboration mission.

This paper presents a summary, key reflections, and insights from the trip, highlighting the role of strategic construction initiatives in Greece’s economic transformation and the value of global engagement from a sectoral and academic point of view.

GLCM PROGRAM VISITS

1- URBAN REGENERATION PROJECTS:

1.1 The Ellinikon and Riviera Tower Project

The team went to the Riviera Tower project site on the first day. It is positioned to become Greece’s tallest building. The Tower is being constructed on the grounds of the old Ellinikon International Airport, which ceased operations in 2001. The building works began in early 2023. It is projected to be approximately 200 meters tall with 50 floors, housing more than 170 luxury residences. The units offer panoramic coastal views and bioclimatic features such as dual-aspect ventilation, solar shading, and lush communal terraces, reflecting the building’s sustainability initiatives.

Figures 1 & 2: Site Visit to the Riviera Tower Project

1.2 LAMDA Experience Center

Later, the team went to the LAMDA Experience Center, which is designed to convey LAMDA Development’s vision for the Ellinikon masterplan. It will be the most significant urban regeneration project in Europe. The center offers visitors an experiential journey through the site’s past, present, and future using a fusion of physical installation, digital media, and multisensory storytelling.

It has five interactive zones in the center for visitors to enhance their experience of Ellinikon, including: (i) Living in a New Era: Travel through the development’s history and future via a scale model, (ii) Living in Nature: Simulated cycling through the park and along the coast, (iii) Living the Future: Smart infrastructure and futuristic urban tech in motion, (iv) Living Smart: Smart home mock-ups that reflect the connected lifestyle, and (v) Living by the Sea: Virtual boat ride showing the planned coastline, marina, and Riviera Tower.

Figures 3 & 4: The Ellinikon & LAMDA Experience Center

2- INDUSTRY & ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT:

2.1 GLCM Alumni Meeting

The team began the day with a visit to a real estate and conversation project led by Marc Adwan and Adwan Properties. Marc, a GLCM alumnus from 15 years ago, shared insights on how long-lasting relationships and strategic tools, such as the Golden Visa, are driving foreign investment to Greece. He also highlighted his extensive work on renovating residential properties, emphasizing the impact of these projects on the local real estate market and community development.

Figures 5 & 6: Meeting and Site Visit with Marc Adwan

2.2 National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Meeting with Technology Transfer Office (TTO)

In the afternoon, the team was hosted by National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Innovation Center. The hosts presented their Technology Transfer Office (TTO) and explained how they support students and their ideas within business plans. Additionally, the team learned about the university’s sustainability initiatives, including projects focused on beach protection that integrate biological components with construction materials.

2.3 Aktor Group Headquarters Visit and National Television Interview

The team ended the day at Aktor’s headquarters, meeting with the executive team. Aktor Group is a leading Greek construction company with many years of experience, specializing in large-scale infrastructure, civil engineering, energy projects, and more. It is involved in significant public and private developments, renewable energy initiatives, and strategic partnerships, enhancing its presence in transportation, real estate, and energy sectors. They presented the company’s structure, its major infrastructure projects, and the role of their parent holding company in shaping Greece’s construction landscape.

Figure 7: Aktor Group Headquarters Visit

Professor Odeh and the team also participated in a national television interview, addressing questions about the trip, the Ellinikon and Riviera Tower projects, and emphasizing their importance in urban development and engineering innovation.

Figures 8 & 9: GLCM Team and National Television Interview

3- GLOBAL ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIPS:

3.1 Athens Columbia Global Center

The third day, the team visited the Columbia Global Center in Athens, which was inspiring and productive. The Center is key in building partnerships between Columbia University and Greece’s top engineering schools, including the National Technical University of Athens, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and others. Discussions highlighted the many initiatives underway to expand collaboration from joint research projects to student exchanges, aiming to create lasting academic and cultural connections. The visit emphasized the opportunities to welcome more Greek students into Columbia’s Engineering program and to strengthen institutional ties for years to come.

Figure 10: Athens Columbia Global Center Visit

3.2 Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) Visit

The visit to Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC)'s Athens head office was engaging and insightful. The program highlighted CCC’s diverse operations across its main divisions, which are Buildings, Transportation, Pipelines (Oil & Gas), Public–Private Partnerships (PPP), and Power & Energy, and demonstrated how the company delivers projects of this scale across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Presentations included landmark projects such as the Dubai Mall, Riyadh Metro, and the LNG expansions, showcasing CCC’s ability to successfully manage complex, large-scale developments. Discussions with company leaders provided valuable perspectives on the vision for technology adoption, digital transformation, the organization’s evolving role in the global construction market, and its more than half a century history, linking past achievements to future goals. Another key highlight was CCC Startups, a platform that partners with innovative construction technology companies to test solutions. This initiative reflects CCC’s forward-thinking approach which is blending innovation with decades of expertise, and underscores how the company continues to shape the future of construction.

Figures 11 & 12: CCC Headquarters Visit

4- CULTURAL EXPLORATION

4.1 Acropolis of Athens and Parthenon

The team explored the Acropolis of Athens, including the Parthenon, its historical, cultural, and mythological significance, and stories of Athena, the city’s patron goddess, and other Greek deities. From an engineering perspective, the heritage area demonstrates sophisticated ancient civil engineering techniques.These include the precise use of entasis in columns, interlocking marble blocks without mortar, and advanced load distribution methods that have allowed these structures to endure for over millennia.

Athens’s city development plan aims to protect its authenticity and integrity by preventing damage to its view corridors and unique features caused by urban growth. The Greek government has implemented a long-term, comprehensive restoration strategy, which includes continuous structural reinforcement using original stone materials based on rigorous materials science research, and a principle of minimal intervention in construction.

Figure 13: GLCM group members with the Acropolis at night

Urban design and land-use regulations in Athens aim to preserve the visibility of the Acropolis which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Ministry of Culture, the Central Archaeological Council and the Council of State oversee development projects that may affect this priority. Height limits and other building restrictions protect the site’s visual integrity. This landmark-first planning approach guides development intensity and building volumes according to heritage, tourism, and branding objectives. Today, Athens’s strategies form a globally recognized heritage protection program, influencing UNESCO guidelines and serving as a model for other countries.

KEY LESSONS LEARNED

Economic Recovery Through Regeneration: Greece is using flagship projects like The Ellinikon to stimulate growth, create jobs, and attract long-term foreign investment.
Investment Incentives Driving Growth: Programs such as the Golden Visa, coupled with strong professional networks, are channeling significant international capital into the real estate and construction market.
Innovation and Sustainability in Construction: Greek projects increasingly integrate sustainable and climate-responsive design, smart infrastructure, and academic–industry collaboration to enhance environmental performance and competitiveness.
Heritage-Led Development Approach: Strict height controls, integration of archaeological sites into pedestrian corridors, and heritage impact regulations ensure urban growth aligns with cultural preservation.
Leveraging Culture for City Branding: The Acropolis and surrounding heritage sites shape Athens’ global image, drive tourism, influence planning policy, and reinforce national identity.

CONCLUSION

The GLCM Greece 2025 visit highlighted how strategic urban renewal and advanced construction practices can drive national recovery and long-term growth. Major projects, such as The Ellinikon, demonstrate how large-scale developments generate employment, attract foreign investment, and expand urban infrastructure. Investment programs like the Golden Visa inject capital directly into real estate and construction, fueling new development opportunities. Greek construction increasingly integrates sustainable design principles, state-of-the-art building technologies, and collaboration between industry and academia to enhance environmental performance, structural quality, and project efficiency. Heritage-sensitive planning—including building height limits, archaeological integration, and preservation of cultural assets—ensures that development respects historic sites while enabling modern construction.

In conclusion, Greece illustrates how combining innovative construction techniques, large-scale urban projects, and heritage-conscious planning can create sustainable, resilient, and human-centric cities. This approach offers valuable lessons for other countries seeking to align construction innovation with economic growth and cultural preservation.