A GREENER ATHENS

 

                                           

 

According to Euronews, the Mayor of Athens, 42-year-old Kostas Bakoyiannis, scion of one of the most  politically famous families in Greece promised a greener Athens.

 

There are very few cities that make Rome seem young, and Athens is definitely one of them as it is almost four millennia older.  But this “ancient city can also be  very modern.” 

 

Speaking to Anthony Grant of the Washing Post, Bakoyiannis said : “The pandemic hit at a particularly crucial time, just as we were coming out of an unprecedented economic and financial crisis.  But we were emerging with a sense of newly found optimism  and dynamism and this is actually the greatest challenge that we face, to make sure that despite the pandemic, we don’t lose more precious time  so that this crisis will not become the excuse for another lost decade or a lost generation for the city of Athens.”

 

With reference to the above, one of the revitalisation projects the mayor mentions is the ancient site of Platonos’ Academy which, he says, is “extremely important for the city of Athens.  We are in the process of hopefully finalizing our agreement with the Ministry of Culture for a project that involves with remodelling the area and protecting the archaeological sites, and at the same time, it is  a different experience for both Athenians and visitors.” 

 

And replying to Anthony Grant of the  New York Times question Mr Bakoyiannis replied that Athens is a modern, vibrant metropolis  that Greeks are very proud of the city's ancient inheritances much as they take pride in Athens' modern self.”

 

He went on to say that they are now ambitious of adopting three strategic goals: One to reclaim or liberate quality public space, two to accept a new model  of sustainability and three to make sure that the change will not make Athenians lose their soul, meaning that the municipality does not want Athens to be changed into an amusement park.

 

Mr Bakoyiannis continued that they are focusing on building a resilient city, paying special attention to the green areas, such as the hill of Lykabettus, the National Garden and Philopappou Hill. And simultaneously they are trying to change Athenian neighbourhoods by planting more trees and shrubs, like the one recently presented in Pangrati.

 

Athens will certainly become much greener with this Municipality.