Athens and the residential challenge
Athens’ future as an attractive and sustainable city will depend, no doubt, on a variety of factors – some constant, some impossible to predict. One of its biggest challenges, however, lies in attracting new residents back into its most central neighborhoods; the sailing appears to be anything but smooth, and obstacles – big and small – abound.
It is not just the fact that rental rates are rising steadily, to the point of exorbitant sums being asked for apartments in aged buildings that are lacking in basic infrastructure either within the building itself or in the immediate vicinity. It is also that there appears to be no solution in sight – right now at least – for the chronic issues of crime, noise pollution, vandalism and the terrible traffic congestion that is choking the life out of so many districts.
The overarching problem with Athens, however, with the exception of a few blocks here and there, is that it is steeped in a sense of dejection and abandonment. This may not be so acute in areas such as Kolonaki, Pangrati, Philopappou, Ambelokipi, Mavili Square and few other neighborhoods, but the overall feeling when walking around the city center, and across the entire area stretching from Ippokratous Street to Acharnon, is that no one cares about it, not one single bit.
I am not referring to the municipal services, which do what they do, but to the absence of a policy that looks ahead into the future. Has anybody in a position of authority asked themselves, for example, what Patission Street look will like in 2024? How students, artists and pensioners who want to be close to public transportation and the shopping district will be able to afford housing? How parents will take their babies in their strollers along the narrow, broken and obstacle-strewn sidewalks?
These questions should be no-brainers, yet we have been talking about them for half a century. They are serious problems and not only are they not going away, they seem to be getting worse. As a tourist destination, Athens has dozens of souvlaki joints to show off around Monastriaki, but we can only be ashamed of the sight of Omonia Square and its environs at night.
If the notion of introducing a larger variety of activities in the downtown area – as was once the case – does not gain traction, this sense of neglect and squalor will only get worse. Does anyone dream of living close to Klafthmonos Square, investing in an old office or apartment building on Praxitelous or Evripidou and returning them to their former usages? When this happens, and when that becomes a trend, only then can we start hoping that Athens will start getting back on its feet.
