Rock the Block

Rock the Block is an innovative initiative aimed at addressing the housing challenges faced by Greek cities, such as aging buildings, unaffordable housing, and the ongoing energy crisis. These challenges not only prevent people from accessing quality housing but also make it difficult to build strong local communities and networks of mutual care and support that go beyond individual households, limiting the ability for neighbors to rely on one another and work together for common well-being.

In response to these challenges, the Rock the Block project centers on polykatoikias (apartment blocks) as units of intervention, targeting technical, environmental, and community-oriented transformations. The goal is to create affordable, community-centered living spaces that reflect the reality that affordable housing is both a fundamental right and an essential need. By adopting this multifaceted approach, Rock the Block aims to address shared housing problems through collective action, ensuring that the solutions are sustainable, inclusive, and accessible to all residents.

The three main pillars of Rock the Block are:

• Technical Transformations: This includes green, digital, aesthetic, functional, circular, and inclusive upgrades within the polykatoikias. Residents will be invited to participate through an open call, ensuring that their needs and aspirations are incorporated into the changes.
• Community Building and Empowerment: The project fosters social cohesion within neighborhoods by promoting community-building activities, raising awareness, and empowerment programs focused on addressing housing needs.
• Institutional Interventions for Care and Support: This pillar includes the creation of a ‘Co-living Hub’ and a ‘Housing Office’ (a one-stop-shop for housing assistance) in municipal spaces, with the Municipality of Egaleo playing a central role in supporting housing affordability and community activation.

Through this comprehensive approach, Rock the Block presents an innovative model for tackling fragmented housing strategies that often fall short of addressing the needs of residents. 

At urbana, we are committed to embedding values of inclusion, participation, and gender perspectives throughout the project, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to actively shape the future of their shared spaces. By organizing participatory workshops, we will engage residents in the reimagining and redesign of shared spaces, such as courtyards, terraces, and communal areas. These workshops will ensure that the re-designed spaces will meet the diverse needs of all residents, fostering safety, inclusivity, and supporting the creation of networks of solidarity and mutual care.

Stay informed about the latest Rock the Block updates by visiting the project’s website, LinkedIn and instagram!