In the unique challenge that lies ahead for the Athens, while Greece appears poised to «ride the wave» of unprecedented growth, according to the Mayor of Athens, Costas Bakoyannis in an interview with *To Vima tis Kyriakis* and journalist Periklis Dimitropoulos. According to the Mayor of Athens, the challenge is not only related to the way the modern economy is transforming, but also to the capital’s historical past. «To prevent Athens from becoming the »backyard« of development, it should even dare to tear down. Its own chapter is the liberation of public space, Its unit of measurement is the square meter», replies Kostas Bakogiannis when asked what the digitization of economic activity means for the capital.
Mr. Bakogiannis emphasizes that reclaiming public space is a priority for Athens, just as it is for all major cities, noting that considers the announced government complex—which will house ministries and government agencies in the former Pyrkal factory—a «golden opportunity».«We are at a fortunate juncture. For the first time in years, there is tremendous investor interest in the city,» emphasizes Kostas Bakogiannis, referring to the options available regarding the stock of unused buildings that will result from the plan’s implementation. «One option,» he says, «is to evaluate them commercially for the benefit of the Greek government. A second is to repurpose them for cultural uses, a
Third, social housing, which should not be confused with workers' apartment buildings. »Another option, however, is to demolish some of these buildings that have no architectural value.".
In response to objections regarding whether it is right for a city to «lose its historical artifacts,» the Mayor of Athens insists on making distinctions based on architectural value and cites Yannis Tsarouchis. «Yannis Tsarouchis used to say that the greatest contribution one can make to Athens is not to build but to tear down. Obviously, for the Greek government to come in, buy buildings, and tear them down is extremely difficult and extremely expensive. If the Greek government is fortunate enough to own dozens of buildings in Athens with negligible architectural and historical value—buildings that can be demolished to create open space— then we are talking about a project of significance comparable to that of connecting the Archaeological Museum with the Acropolis Museum.».
According to the mayor of Athens, The "demolition–green" two-part approach can replace the old "expropriation–demolition–excavations" three-part approach. «If it’s not serving us, why not tear it down and turn it into green space? It’s not as far-sighted, nor as utopian, nor as difficult as we imagine,» he says in his interview, adding: «I am convinced, seeing where we were ten years ago and where we will be in the next ten, that the coming decade will determine the city’s future.» Mr. Bakogiannis also describes the threefold goal that must be achieved in Athens to prevent urban decay and bring residents back.
As he emphasizes, the first goal is to reclaim public space. Second is sustainable mobility, and third is the preservation of mixed-use development, emphasizing that Athens« urban fabric—which consists of 129 neighborhoods— »must change without losing its soul,” while also outlining the key pillars of his plan for the Athens of tomorrow: Revitalizing the city center and improving the quality of life for residents in the neighborhoods.
Finally, the mayor of Athens states that the Connection between the Archaeological Museum and the Acropolis Museum – the idea that Antonis Tritsis introduced into the public discourse in 1982 – has been set in motion through the redevelopment of Omonia Square, the projects in the lower Syntagma Square, and the work on Panepistimiou Street set to begin in a few days. The plan, he emphasizes, will be completed by connecting Patission Street with Omonia Square and Syntagma Square with Dionysiou Areopagitou Street.
