This thesis explores the possibilities for the adaptive reuse of the Allatini Mills industrial complex in Thessaloniki, with the aim of transforming it into an active nucleus of cultural production and social interaction. Focusing on the principles of participatory design, the study examines how the active involvement of the local community and cultural stakeholders can serve as a decisive factor in the successful revitalization of a historic, abandoned landscape. The theoretical framework is grounded in the connection between industrial heritage and the processes of collective design and cultural regeneration. The methodology is based on qualitative research techniques - interviews, workshops, and dialogues with cultural organizations, educational institutions, and the city's creative networks - with the purpose of documenting their actual spatial needs and priorities. The proposed adaptive reuse strategy seeks to create a multifunctional ensemble of cultural infrastructures within the complex, capable of strengthening the local cultural fabric and reconnecting the community with a historic site that had remained dormant for decades. Overall, the dissertation highlights the importance of the participatory process as a tool for the sustainable reuse of industrial heritage, underscoring that design acquires meaningful social impact only when it is grounded in the needs and the collective will of citizens.

Key words: Participation, Parks, Sustainability, Action, Community