In the centre of Athens, emphasis from now on will be placed on
pedestrians and green methods of transport, as the centre’s reconstruction will come into full effect. This will bring the paving of Panepistimiou and the upgrading of constantly declining areas like Gerani, Patisia and Plateia Vathis. Tram is coming back while cars will only serve the functional needs of the centre. In fact, parking will be prohibited in the areas of the upgraded centre.
«We believe these combined efforts will overturn the crisis in the wider centre of the city by enhancing home and older professional activities and bring new in order to safeguard the mixture of usages that are so necessary for its regeneration», Environment minister Tina Birbili stressed yesterday in the 'Another city is possible' meeting.
A research program of the National Technical University of Athens was presented during the event, according to which Panepistimiou street is regarded as part of an urban and architectural ring which will connect the promenade of archaeological sites with the great museums of the city.
The aim of this redevelopment is to regain the city centre for all the residents of the Attica Basin.
In order to achieve this, officials are studying the reconstruction of the major roads of Amalias, Panepistimiou and Patission, which coupled with the revival of Omonia Square will achieve the intensification of the vital functions of the city throughout the day.
Panepistimiou will open all the way to Omonia
«This will highlight the monumental wealth and the commercial activities along with daily life, culture and recreation in and around of the centre’s axis. With the large linear square of Panepistimiou, that will be open through Omonia and be connected with the Archaeological Museum, areas like Eksarheia and Kolonaki will be coupled with Plaka and Psirri and so the commercial triangle will again attract liveliness and interest», the minister said.
Particular attention is placed upon a regeneration plan of strategic reconstructions in traditional but densely built residential and mixed usages areas.
The major rehearsal for the interventions in the centre is the Gerani area, which will be the pilot area for the implementation of new policies and activities regarding the reconstruction of the areas.
Especially for Panepistimiou, the tram will reach Patission, taking up most of traffic of the central neighborhoods. Omonia square is turned into an actual square, paved from Patission to 3rd Septemvriou.
To solve the traffic problems, the route of Acadimias and the Aghiou Konstantinou will be reversed along with the redesign of public transport in order to improve the access to the center by means public transport.
Access to the south via Vasileos Konstantinou
Another proposed important traffic change is for Vas. Konstantinou street. It will be used by those who whish to move from the northern parts of the city to the south as the downward way of Vasilissis Sofias will be closed for private cars. Their traffic from Sygrou to Syntagma is also eliminated and will be diverted before Hadrian’s gate. However, a one-lane traffic will be given in Amalias for the needs of the commercial triangle and Plaka or V. Sofias for the needs of the parliament and the presidency, but without the possibility for a turn towards Kolonaki.
Traffic from Akadimias and Solonos will not be able to turn to Patission, which is limited only to public transport that will extend up to the Archaeological Museum.
Pireos becomes a one-way street from Kolokinthous to the centre. Finally, planting and change of the urban pavement are provided for the Panepistimiou zone. It will be the subject of an international architectural planning, creating a large plaza that will eliminate the sidewalks and host public service facilities, small shops and other land usages that will be specified at a later stage. As noted, the final proposals of the Environment ministry will be presented immediately and in coordination with the other ministries.
by Marianna Tzanne
source: PROTO THEMA
