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This is Athens & Partners, 13/05/2020

The Great Athens Walk: One of the Largest Urban Interventions in the History of the Capital Begins

  • The most beautiful urban walking path in Europe with a length of 6.8km
  • Unification of the Historic Center of Athens
  • Delivers 50,000 square meters of free public space
  • Innovative way of materializing the project

The blueprint for the creation of one of the largest urban interventions ever planned for Athens was confirmed today with a wide majority from the Athens City Council. (Apart from the members of the party of mayor Kostas Bakoyannis, the plan was approved by members of the parties led by Nasos Iliopoulos, Pavlos Geroulanos, Giorgos Voulgarakis and Vassilis Kapernaros).

This project has double meaning and importance for the residents and visitors to the capital city. The Coronavirus has created an urgent need for a substantial increase of public space and the decongestion of public transit – as in large cities throughout the world – while realizing the plans for the improvement of the Historic Center of Athens that have been under discussion for decades.

These vitally important interventions will begin as a pilot project at the end of June with the implementation of new traffic regulations, re-introducing the center of Athens in the following weeks to residents and visitors. The plans are developed based on detailed studies of transit conditions, conducted by researchers from the National Metsovio University.

“The time has come to complete a visionary project that from the beginning will re-introduce us to Athens. Because, with the Great City Walk, the face of the city-center is changing along with our everyday lives. We are taking action step by step, as we promised. To work from the bottom to the top. To give value to life in the city and to prove through these projects that it is important for us to live with the city, and not simply to live in it. It is very important that this project begins with consent, dialogue, and cooperation. It needs to be this way for such an important project. Because it is a change that is coming for all of us, and which all of us need to happen,” said Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis.

The Project

This is a complete plan for the revitalization and unification of the historic center that will create a “Great Walk” with new pedestrian routes unifying the historic neighborhoods of Athens and its world-class archaeological treasures. The project returns the city to service for all residents and visitors, changing the everyday of the city for the better.

The vitally important project begins immediately with the largest part to be completed by 2022. The substantial interventions in the urban landscape will deliver approximately 50,000 square meters of free public space to the residents and visitors of Athens, creating the most beautiful city walk of Europe with a total length of 6.8km.

The construction of the Great Walk of Athens adds a new bike lane on Panepistimiou Street. The historic areas of Plaka and the Historic Triangle, as well as Irodou Attikou Street, Mitropoleos, Ermou, and Athinas will be free from regular vehicle traffic. In total, the programmed interventions will create new bus lanes that total 1.9 km and the reconstruction of a road network stretching 6.3 km. Utilization of mass transit is expected to increase by 7.5% within 6 months, while there will be a 45% increase in the speed of buses and trolleys through the corridor.

Innovative Methods

This is the first time that a large and important project will be completed with the participation of citizens, establishing a special relationship with residents and visitors of the city. In contrast to other technical projects that are planned, constructed, and delivered to residents without their involvement at the early stages, the Great Walk of Athens will be visible and open to citizens from the first day of its implementation.

The project utilizes a new philosophy that gives us the opportunity to see the positive changes from the first day and to slowly adapt to the changes. The pilot phase will begin with simple changes of street signs and newly painted road surfaces, the introduction of new trees and plants, and outdoor public furniture such as flower planters, benches, and waste baskets. The second phase will make the changes permanent. Residents and visitors to Athens will be able to see the benefits of the largest urban intervention in the history of Athens, exploring, testing, and evaluating everyday the changes as they are implemented.

What areas are included in the project?

The area of the project includes Vas. Amalias Avenue, Vas. Olgas Avenue, Irodou Attikou Street, Vas. Sofias Avenue, Panepistimou Street, Athinas Street, Mitropoleos Street, and Ermou Street, as well as the area of Plaka and the Historic Triangle. The area also includes the already existing pedestrian walkways along Dionysiou Areopagitou and Apostle Paul Streets. The plan will extend to Patision Street from Omonoia Square and Egypt Square to connect with the National Archaeological Museum. In the next phase, a connection will be made with the Kerameikos and Akademia Platonos neighborhoods in order to include this important and singular archaeological space in the pedestrian corridor.

The final goal is to unify the historic center of Athens, creating the most beautiful walking path of any city in Europe.

The Benefits

While highlighting the cultural wealth of our city, the Great Walk of Athens will change the way residents communicate with the city. Changes in mobility patterns will greatly expand public space and contribute significantly to facing the crisis of the Coronavirus. They will also reduce the number of traffic accidents, helping to decongest hospitals while creating important benefits for small businesses by increasing foot traffic.

The Commercial Triangle will be free from car traffic and become friendlier toward citizens and the environment by increasing the use of sustainable practices for mobility. Increased use of “green” and safe transport, the additional use of public transport, and walking or bike riding will restore the lost glory of the Commercial Triangle.

The tourism product of Athens will increase in value. The city will be modernized, acquiring a new identity that connects the past with the present and its future. The Commercial Center will become more accessible, connecting shops with relaxation and entertainment. At the same time, the project will simplify excursions to important touristic sights and transit throughout the city.

The project will radically improve the quality of life of residents and workers by creating more space for everyone. A restored network of street lighting will offer aesthetic improvement and more safety for residents and visitors. At the same time, the project will create new opportunities for exercise, biking, and walking for residents, families, and their pet companions.

 

Details of the Interventions

Omonoia

  • The new Omonoia Square has already been completed and will be delivered soon, improving its aesthetic appearance and increasing the feeling of security in the wider area.

Panepistimiou Street to Patision Street

  • Three of the six traffic lanes will be converted into pedestrian walkways and improvement of the aesthetic experience.
  • Renewal of Panepistimiou will include a new bike lane, lighted pedestrian walkways, two lanes for vehicle traffic, and one bus lane headed in the same direction.
  • The reconstruction will create approximately 7,000 square meters of public space.
  • The "Trilogy" of historic buildings will stand out from the background (showcasing the National Library, University, and Academy of Athens).
  • The project will extend to Patision Street at its intersection with Omonoia Square/Egypt Square in order to connect The Great Walk with the National Archaeological Museum.

Queen Olga Street (Vasilissis Olgas)

  • The Zappeion Park will be unified with the area around the Temple of Olympion Zeus, connecting the existing pedestrian path at Dionysiou Areopagitou with the Panatheneaic Stadium and the Ardittos Hill while maintaining the existing tram line.
  • The project will deliver approximately 10,500 square meters of new public space.

Herodes Atticus Street (Irodou Attikou)

  • The street will be closed to regular vehicle traffic.
  • Only emergency vehicles, food delivery, garbage trucks, social benefit organizations, residents, service vehicle, and taxis after they have been called.
  • This will deliver approximately 5,000 square meters of public space.

Athinas Street - Ermou Street

  • There will be no regular vehicle traffic along Ermou Street between Athinas Street and its intersection with Agion Asomatos Street.
  • Buses will continue to operate along their routes.
  • Only emergency vehicles, food delivery, garbage trucks, social benefit organizations, cars heading toward parking spaces, services for residents and hotels, and taxis after they have been called.

Syntagma Square

  • The walkways will be planted along Filellinon Street toward the Square in order to create a new common use space at the heart of the city.
  • Three lanes of traffic for all vehicles, one new bus lane, and one lane for bus stops.

Plaka

  • There will be no regular vehicle traffic in the area of Plaka connecting Monastiraki with Dionysiou Areopagitou and Thiseio.
  • Only emergency vehicles, food delivery, garbage trucks, social benefit organizations, cars heading toward parking spaces, services for residents and hotels, and taxis after they have been called.

Commercial Triangle

  • The area will be closed to regular traffic.
  • Only emergency vehicles, food delivery, garbage trucks, social benefit organizations, cars heading toward parking spaces, services for residents and hotels, and taxis after they have been called.

Mitropoleos Street

  • The street will be closed to regular vehicle traffic.
  • Only emergency vehicles, food delivery, garbage trucks, social benefit organizations, cars heading toward parking spaces, services for residents and hotels, and taxis after they have been called.

Theater Square, Justice Square, Korai Square

  • The plan calls for significant local interventions for the reconstruction of these three squares to make them into catalysts for the surrounding areas.

Kerameikos and Akademia Platonos

  • In the second stage of the project, The Great Walk of Athens will be connected with Akademia Platonos.

WEBSITE (in Greek): megalosperipatos.cityofathens.gr