The great plan for the reconstruction of Athens: what is changing directly in the city center

One of the largest urban interventions in the history of the capital begins with the initiative of the Mayor of Athens, Costas Bakogiannis. The “Great Athens Walk”, as the municipal authority’s plan is titled, is a vital intervention, expected to start on a pilot basis in late June, with most of it completed in 2022 and only approved by City Hall.

Traffic regulations will be implemented immediately in the coming weeks, again recommending the Athenian center to residents and visitors to the city, while these regulations are based on studies that the Athens National Technical University has recently produced on the effects of traffic . imminent changes

In essence, the mayor’s design philosophy is based on using the city space as a useful tool to create the right conditions for development and the balance between economic and business activity and the protection of the environment, but also so that Athens gradually move to a transition. operation phase in the catering and tourism areas. At the same time, through this very extensive intervention, its anthropocentric character emerges, since, unlike other technical projects, residents and visitors to the city will have the opportunity not only to enjoy the Great Promenade of Athens but also to observe or evaluate daily. be it the smooth configurations of the streets, through the marking and coloring of the road, the placement of plants and elements of urban equipment, such as flowerpots, benches and baskets, or the implementation of the second phase of the moni projects

Given the urgent need to address the serious public health risk posed by Covid-19 and the disruption of its dispersal, the goal of the Mayor’s intervention is to increase space for pedestrians and those with mild transportation in the area. from the center of the capital.

Today, the proposal for the implementation of a plan for the adoption of temporary traffic measures and regulations in the historic and commercial center area of ​​Athens was approved by a large majority in the form of an emergency meeting of the Athens Municipal Council. Given the urgent need to address the serious public health risk posed by Covid-19 and the disruption of its dispersal, the goal of the Mayor’s intervention is to increase space for pedestrians and those with mild transportation in the area. from the center of the capital.

The renovated highway will have a new bike path, 2 car lanes. and a bus line in the same direction as that of I.X.

“The time has come to implement a visionary project that presents us to Athens from the beginning. Because, with the Great Walk, the appearance of the city center changes, but also our daily life. We are doing step by step what we promised: Tear down the capital Give value to life in the city and demonstrate with it and with the rest of the works that it is important to live in this city, not just live in it It is important that this work begins with consensus, dialogue and cooperation. So, how should such an important project for the city begin? Because it is a change that is coming for all of us and we all need it to be done, “emphasizes Mayor Costas Bakogiannis for this important intervention in Athens.

In particular, the four axes of the magnificent project include the most beautiful walk in Europe, 6.8 km long, the unification of the historic center of Athens, the performance of 50,000 square meters. free public space and the pioneering form of its implementation.

It is a comprehensive plan to revive and unify the historic center, which will create a long walk with routes that will unite for the first time the historic neighborhoods of Athens with their world-class archaeological treasures and return the city to the service of residents and visitors. from her, changing their daily lives for the better.

In detail, the construction of the Great Promenade adds to the new image of the Athenian center a new bicycle lane on Panepistimiou street. The historical areas of Plaka and the commercial triangle, but also the streets of Herodes Atticus, Metropolis, Ermou and Athena will become areas free of private cars. The total planned interventions will create new 1.9 km long bus lanes and 6.3 km long road axis renovations. At the same time, it will be important to increase travel by MMM “evaluation for an increase of 7.5% in 6 months”, as well as increasing the speed of buses / trolleybuses on the streets of the University and the Academy by 45%.

In the Constitution, the plan includes the widening of the sidewalks on Filellinon Street at the height of the plaza to create a new common space in the heart of the city.

What is the project about

The entire walk, apart from the already formed streets D. Areopagitou and Apostolou Pavlou, includes the route V. Amalias, V. Olgas, Irodou Attikou, V. Sofia, Panepistimiou, Athinas, Mitropoleos and Ermou, as well as the Plaka area and of the commercial triangle. The intervention will also include Patision (October 28), from Omonia to Egypt Square, for the consolidation of the Walk with the National Archaeological Museum. In the next stage, the Kerameikos connection with Plato’s Academy will be implemented, to include the specific and unique archaeological site. The aim is that in the final phase of the project, the historic center of Athens is one of the most beautiful urban landscape routes in Europe.

In addition, the business triangle is released from automobiles. and it becomes more friendly to the citizen and the environment with new sustainable mobility practices. A comfortable, “green” and safe trip that promotes the use of MMM and walking and cycling will give the shopping triangle its lost glamor.

The tourist product of Athens acquires greater value, as its tourist character is strengthened. The city is modernizing, acquiring a new identity that connects the past with the present and its future. The shopping center is more easily accessible by combining shopping with leisure and entertainment. At the same time, tourist visits and trips within the city are facilitated.

Finally, the quality of life for residents and employees is radically improving, with more room for everyone. The renovated electrical network will provide, in addition to the aesthetic improvement of the area, more security for residents and visitors to the city. At the same time, the project will provide new opportunities for sports, cycling, and hiking for residents, families, employees, and pet owners.

Part of the Great Walk is Omonia Square, whose update has already been completed and will be open to everyone in the coming days. Photo: Eurokinissi

The interventions are detailed.

Omonia

Part of the Great Walk is Omonia Square, whose update has already been completed and will be open to everyone in the coming days.

Panepistimiou – Patision

The University plans to pedestrianize three of the six lanes of traffic in total today, as well as its aesthetic update. The renovated highway will have a new bike path, 2 car lanes. and a bus line in the same direction as that of I.X. Its renovation will produce about 7,000 square meters. in the public space.
This is how the Trilogy (National Library – University – Academy of Athens) arises. The intervention will also include Patision (October 28), from Omonia to Egypt Square, for the consolidation of the Walk with the National Archaeological Museum.

Panepistimiou street after renovation.

Queen olga

Zappeion unites with the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Dionysiou Areopagitou is connected with Panathinaiko Stadium and Ardittos Hill, with preservation of the tram line. V. Olga’s pedestrian walkway will create about 10,500 square meters. New public space.

Herod Atticus

Herod Atticus is turning into a motorway by car. Only emergency vehicles, power supplies, utility networks, resident service, garbage trucks, official cars, and taxis will have access to them after a call. Its renovation will produce about 5,000 m2. in the public space.

Athena – Ermou

Ermou to Agioi Asomaton and Athena will become motorways by car, with bus traffic only on certain axes. Only emergency vehicles, catering, network services of Public Benefit Organizations, which go to parking lots, service to residents and hotels, garbage trucks and taxis on duty will have access to the streets.

The extension of the sidewalks of Filellinon Street at the height of Syntagma Square to create a new common space in the heart of the city.