This landscape design project was implemented by Katerina Gkoltsiou with Greek and foreign landscape architects, and experts in Equestrian Sports Centers, as part of a National design Competition which was organized by the General Secretariat of Sports.

The planting design focused mainly on four basic areas (Equestrian Center, Protected Area, New Hippodrome and Park Entry Shared Area), in a total size of 2,117 acres in the broader area of Markopoulo, Athens.

The landscape was assessed in terms of its physical attributes such as vegetation, soil, relief and in terms of aesthetics or perceptual qualities. During the design phase, the main goal was to improve the natural landscape and to adjust its character to Markopoulo micro landscape.

Design guidelines about planting, irrigation and drainage on horse racing sites were collected, from similar international case studies. In order to approach the specialized nature of the project, contacts and meetings with experts and consultants, took place, as well as scientific reading from Universities worldwide was gathered.