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The plan for the creation of one of the largest urban interventions ever carried out in the capital, the Great Promenade of Athens, was approved today, by a large majority, by the Municipal Council of the Municipality of Athens.
In addition to the municipal party of the mayor of Athens, Costas Bakogiannis, the municipal parties of Nasos Iliopoulos, Pavlos Geroulanos, George Voulgarakis and Vassilis Kapernaros also voted in favor.
This is a project of double value and importance for residents and visitors of the capital, since addressing the crown crisis has made it imperative a significant increase in public space and the decongestion of public transport, as is currently the case . many large cities abroad, while at the same time the plans of many decades for the promotion of the historic center are finally coming true.
See the complete plan for the Great Promenade of Athens in PDF format
The vital intervention will begin on a pilot basis from the end of June, and traffic regulations will be implemented immediately, in the coming weeks, again “recommending” the Athenian center to residents and visitors to the city. Based on detailed studies from the Athens National Technical University that took place throughout the previous period regarding the traffic effects of the changes to be made.
Bakoyannis: visual work, the physiognomy of the center changes
“The time has come to implement a visionary project, which introduces us to Athens from the beginning. Because, with the Great Walk, the face of the city changes and our daily life changes. We are taking step-by-step measures, what we promised Let’s take it down, in the capital. To give value to life in the city and demonstrate with it and 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. Just as it should in such an important project for the city. Because it is a change that is coming for all of us and we all need it to happen, “emphasizes the Mayor of Athens, Costas Bakogiannis, for this great intervention in Athens.
The project
It is a comprehensive plan for the revitalization and unification of the historic center, which will create a Great Walk with routes that will unite for the first time the historic neighborhoods of Athens, its world-class archaeological treasures and return the city to the service of residents and visitors. from her, changing their daily lives for the better.
This extensive intervention in the center of the capital, which will not hide its enormous cultural wealth behind the gray streets and tons of cement, stands out as a project for two main reasons. For the size and importance of the overall intervention and the positive changes it brings to the city, but also for the unprecedented form and innovative spirit of its implementation.
The size of the intervention.
The vital project begins immediately, and most of its implementation will be completed by 2022. Substantial urban fabric interventions are estimated to produce around 50,000m2 of free public space for Athens residents and visitors, creating the most beautiful walk in Europe, with a total length of 6.8 km.
The construction of the Great Walk comes to add to the new image of the Athenian center a new bicycle lane, on Panepistimiou street. The historic areas of Plaka and the Commercial Triangle, as well as Herodou Attikou, Mitropoleos, Ermou and Athinas streets will become car-free areas. Total planned interventions will create new lanes and renovations 1.9 km long. At the same time, it will be important to increase MMM travel, an estimate of an increase of 7.5% in 6 months, as well as increase the speed of buses / trolleybuses on the streets of the University and the Academy by 45%.
The pioneering way of implementation
For the first time, a large-scale project is being carried out with the participation of citizens, creating a special relationship with residents and visitors to the city. Unlike other technical projects, which are designed, implemented and then delivered to citizens, the Great Walk of Athens will be visible and open to citizens, from the first day it begins to be implemented.
This is a new philosophy, which gives us the opportunity to see from the first day the positive changes it brings and adapt smoothly and harmoniously to the new way of life in the city. The pilot implementation of the project will be carried out initially with smooth road configurations through road marking and coloring, installation of plants and urban equipment such as flower pots, benches, baskets. In the second phase, the implementation of the permanent projects will begin. In this way, residents and visitors to Athens will be able to see the benefits of the largest urban intervention in its history, exploring, testing and evaluating daily the interventions and arrangements to be made.
What is the project about
The entire Promenade, 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 its Commercial Triangle. The intervention will also include Patision (October 28), from Omonia to Egypt Square for the unification of the Walk with the National Archaeological Museum. In the next stage, the connection of Kerameikos with Plato’s Academy will be implemented, to include the specific and unique archaeological site on the Walk.
The aim is for the historic center of Athens to be integrated into the final phase of the project, creating the most beautiful urban landscape routes in Europe.
The benefits
- In addition to highlighting the cultural richness of Athens, the Great Walk will change the way we “talk” to the city. At the same time, mobility interventions will significantly contribute to addressing the crown crisis, as public space will increase significantly. Interventions are estimated to help reduce accidents, helping to decongest hospitals, while there will be significant benefits for small and medium-sized businesses.
- The Commercial Triangle is being launched from private vehicles and is becoming more friendly to citizens and the environment with new sustainable mobility practices. Comfortable, “green” and safe movements, promoting the use of MMM and foot and bicycle movement give the Commercial Triangle its lost glory.
- The tourist product of Athens acquires greater value, as its tourist character is strengthened. The city is being modernized by acquiring a new identity that connects the past with the present and its future. The mall is more easily accessible, combining shopping with leisure and entertainment. At the same time, it is easier to tour the sights and move around within the city,
- The quality of life for residents and workers with more space for everyone is dramatically improved. The renovated electrical network will offer, in addition to the aesthetic improvement of the area, more security for the residents and visitors of Athens. At the same time, the project will provide new opportunities for sports, cycling, and hiking to residents, families, workers, and pet owners.
Detailed interventions
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 foresees the pedestrianization of three of the six traffic lanes in total today and its aesthetic improvement. The renovated Panepistimiou street will have a new bike path, 2 car lanes and a bus lane in the same direction as IX. Its renovation will generate about 7,000m2 in 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 unification of the walk with the National Archaeological Museum.
- 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 pedestrianization will create about 10,500 m2, a new public space.
- Herod Atticus
The road is turning into a motorway by car.
Only vehicles will have access to the road:
- emergency
- power supply
- garbage trucks
- Public benefit organization network services
- residence service
- official cars
- taxi after calling them
The renovation of Herodes Atticus will produce about 5,000 m2 in public space.
- Athena – Ermou
Ermou Street to Ag. Asomaton and Athinas Street will become free streets by car, with bus traffic only on certain axes.
Only vehicles will have access to the roads:
- emergency
- power supply
- garbage trucks
- public benefit organization network service
- aimed at parking lots
- service to residents and hotels
- taxi after calling them
At Syntagma Square, the plan includes expanding the sidewalks on Filellinon Street to square height, to create a new common area in the heart of the city.
More specifically, the intervention provides:
- 3 free lanes for all vehicles
- 1 new bus line
- 1 bus stop
The Plaka area connecting Monastiraki with Dionysiou Areopagitou and Thissio will become a private car free area.
Only vehicles will have access to the roads:
- emergency
- power supply
- garbage trucks
- public benefit organization network service
- those directed to parking lots
- service to residents and hotels
- taxi after calling them
- Commercial Triangle
The Commercial Triangle area will become an area free of private cars.
Only vehicles will have access to the roads:
- emergency
- power supply
- garbage trucks
- public benefit organization network service
- those directed to parking lots
- service to residents and hotels
- taxi after calling them
Mitropoleos Street will become a car-free street.
Only vehicles will have access to the road:
- emergency
- power supply
- garbage trucks
- public benefit organization network service
- those directed to parking lots
- service to residents and hotels
- taxi after calling them
- Theater Square – Justice Square – Korai Square
Significant local interventions are planned for the renovation of these three squares, which will be a catalyst for the improvement of the surrounding areas.
- Kerameikos – Plato’s Academy
In the second year, the connection of the Walk with the Plato Academy will be made.
To learn all about the Great Promenade of Athens and express your opinion, visit the website of the Municipality of Athens.
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