Heraklion is the largest urban center of Crete, the capital of the region and the economic center of the island. The city is also the commercial and scientific center of the island. It has a strategic geopolitical position in the southeast basin of the Mediterranean, linking three continents and many different cultures.
As of January 1, 2011, according to Law 3852/2010 on “New Architecture of Local Government and Decentralized Administration – Kallikratis Program”, the Heraklion Municipality, based in Heraklion, and its historic headquarters in Nea Alikarnassos consists of the municipalities a. Heraklion b. Gorgolain c. Temenos d. Palianis and e. Nea Alikarnassos.
The area of the new Municipality is 245.12 sq. Km and the population of 173.450 inhabitants according to the 2011 census
The history of the city of Heraklion is a long time, with many of its dark spots in our younger inhabitants. Nevertheless, new archaeological finds often come to light that declare in their own undeniable way the particular role that the city has played over the centuries, being at the crossroads of the Mediterranean sea routes.
In our city there are all the factors for the development of innovation and entrepreneurship environment in key areas of the Cretan economy, such as the primary sector and tourism, along with the emerging fields of energy, environmental protection and new technologies. The existence of the University of Crete , the Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of the Institute of Research Technology contribute to the production of knowledge and research results, to the development of the appropriate scientific human resources and the corresponding entrepreneurs activity.
The main priorities of the Municipal Authority for the next five years are based on the definition of individual “identities” (internationally recognized) overarches of the Priority Axes, as presented at the end of the Phase A of the Operational Program of the Municipality 2015-2019 and inherently interconnected with them :
Intelligent Municipality, place of innovation, entrepreneurship development, improved quality of life, electronic and participatory governance, energy efficient, with strong environmental protection and sustainable urban mobility.
Resilient City, a place with efficient infrastructure and structured social policy, organized civil protection structures, participatory solidarity networks and protection of employment and citizens’ safety
Municipality with a strong Cultural and Tourist Identity, Municipality Town Lighthouse with a strong creative industry, attractive tourist services and products with a strong contribution to the local economy
The design of actions based on the “sustainable development” model is the basis of the Municipality’s policy on the environment and energy issues. The vision is: To make Heraklion a viable “green city”.