Governor of the Attica Region Nikos Hardalias and Athens Mayor Haris Doukas have agreed to move forward with 40 upgrade projects in the Greek capital expected to cost around 101 million euros.
The two officials met earlier this week to discuss the redevelopment of Athens as part of concerted efforts to improve the standard of living in Greece’s capital city.
Hardalias said the Attica Region is set to allocate the funds from the “Attica 2021-2027” scheme and agreed with Doukas to create a joint working committee that would aim to coordinate and oversee the projects.
Hardalis claims the pair are resolved on improving the appearance of the capital, also stating that the aim of the listed projects is to modernize the infrastructure of Athens, in turn bolstering its competitiveness, as well as showcasing the city’s cultural heritage and enhancing social cohesion.
The goal is to create a city that offers opportunities to all, promotes economic growth, and sustainability, and improves the quality of life, claimed Hardalias, with Doukas adding that the projects will focus on promoting social cohesion, supporting the city’s vulnerable groups, and making Athens more resilient.
What are the Upgrade Projects in Athens?
Some of the redevelopment work includes repairing sidewalks and pedestrian walkways, redeveloping Athens’ Ermou shopping district from Syntagma Square to Aiolou Street, installing electric vehicle charging stations, creating a network of bike paths and green routes, and encouraging the energy upgrade of city buildings.
Further upgrades include redeveloping the National Garden, showcasing Plato’s Academy, and creating targeted health services for the city’s vulnerable groups. Doukas claimed that the pair are committed to advancing the works as quickly as possible, adding that the projects were of critical importance.
Other Development Taking Place
Athens – specifically the coastal suburb of Elliniko – is also undergoing development at present. The largest urban project in Europe, currently being constructed by Lamda Development, was the subject of a progress presentation just days before the end of 2023.
When the first phase of construction of the Ellinikon development is completed in 2026, the site of the former Athens Airport will be entirely different. While the Eero Saarinen-designed East Terminal will remain in place, abandoned hangars and runways will be replaced by a multiuse development – touted as a smart city – double the size of New York’s Central Park.
Within three years, the 650-acre site will feature around 10,000 upmarket beachfront homes and apartments, a Mandarin Oriental hotel, one of southern Europe’s biggest shopping malls, a marina for mega-yachts, a Hard Rock casino, a state-of-the-art sports complex, a private school, cultural and entertainment centers, a sprawling beach and a two-million-square-meter green space billed to be the largest coastal park in Europe, all overlooking the waters of the Saronic Gulf.