Hunting down coastal illegalities
New system in the works for better protection of beaches and to identify arbitrary constructions
A new system is planned to detect illegal constructions on beaches and prevent their occupation, through the unification of the services tasked with monitoring the coastline, aerial photography and artificial intelligence.
The plan was announced to Kathimerini by Minister of State Akis Skertsos, who said the system will be interconnected with that of building permits, in order to immediately identify new arbitrary buildings and activate the corrective mechanism.
Outlining the government’s determination to crack down on illegal constructions on beaches, Skertsos said, “Those who thought they could fool the state stayed closed this summer on Mykonos.”
One of the major challenges, he said, is to limit uncontrolled overtourism and damage to Greece’s unique natural wealth.
“If we allow greedy and destructive encroachment on public space and the natural environment, it will be like shooting ourselves in the foot,” he said.
Referring to the situation on Mykonos which he personally dealt with, he said there had to be coordination between seven different ministries and the relevant decentralized administration in order to achieve a result.
“This fragmentation leads to a weak state and obviously works to the advantage of all those who want to exploit bureaucratic holes and overlapping responsibilities. However, all the gaps have now been identified and will be remedied,” he said, noting that the government has set a major reform goal of completing urban planning through the Constantinos Doxiadis Urban Reforms Program by June 2025.
“The new urban planning plan tidies up, clarifies the framework and provides solutions on permitted land use, building, investment, unauthorized and off-plan construction, settlement boundaries, dealing with natural disasters, sustainable mobility, and the protection of the natural and cultural environment. It will be interpreted by all in the same way, without misinterpretation,” he stressed.
“We are also considering the possibility of a compulsory inspection by an inspector of unauthorized constructions at regular intervals of buildings in which economic activities are based, particularly in island regions and coastal fronts, and the subsequent issue of a construction inspection certificate,” he added.
