Athens Open Spaces

Athens open spaces

Drakou

In a country known for creating enduring myths, one popular modern Greek myth is that Athens has no public open space.

While it is true that many parts of Athens do not have public parks in the Hyde Park/ Birkenhead/ Olmsted tradition, life in many city neighbourhoods is still lived outdoors in a way that is the envy of most of our northern European partners.

Many of these spaces are are small and busy, because they are not about creating a simulacrum of nature as an escape from the city - these are social spaces which celebrate the city and its community. As a foreigner living in the city this is one of its faces that I have learnt to appreciate and now believe we should support and encourage it wherever possible.

Our neighbourhood, Koukaki, has at its heart the pedestrian Drakou St, which runs from Syggrou- Fix metro station, up to the archaeological park of Filopappou Hill. It is lined with cafes and restaurants and is a great place to walk and meet friends. But as well as its community role, it is also an important magnet and driver for the local economy.

The scores of small local shops and offices survive or fail largely depending on the ability of Drakou Street to attract locals and visitors to come by foot, metro or trolley and spend their time and money in the neighbourhood, rather than getting in their cars and driving to the malls and supermarkets in the northern and western suburbs. During the crisis the pressure on these businesses is only getting worse and the number of empty shops increases by the week. This is a picture replicated a hundred times across the metropolis, and it presents a unique opportunity for the city councils to shore up the economy in the crisis and to give hundreds or thousands of small businesses a fighting chance of survival.

A relatively small public investment in creating an attractive, safe and functional public realm can encourage a much greater private expenditure to take advantage of the increased footfall - to the benefit of all. The work can be done quickly as the council owns and manages the land already; it is cheap relative to other building or economic initiatives; and it is tangible - everyone can see what has been done and start to benefit immediately.

The model has been proven the world over in many Mainstreet programmes, which are usually demanded by local residents and businesses feeling under threat and insisting that their council does something to help them. Simon Rackham has designed such projects in the UK and New Zealand and has seen first hand the dramatic effect that the design and construction process can have in turning around struggling communities, not to mention the long-term economic and social benefits. He has just come back from a trip to New Zealand where he visited four such projects he completed between 12-15 years ago (Project Phoenix, New Plymouth CPD, Project Pounamu and Onehunga Mainstreet) [images available] and was amazed at how perfectly the areas have been maintained- they are clearly still loved and appreciated by the people who live and work there. Over the last year, his office has been surveying Drakou Street and talking to businesses, residents and children about how such a programme could help here, and they will be drawing up a proposal based on their findings to present to the municipality. [images available] This will involve more space for businesses, more space for pedestrians to walk and relax in the shade of the magnificent eucalyptus trees (recently pollarded by the council to extend their lives and usefulness), better control of illegal driving and parking, and increased visibility and safety. It is hoped that this could be a model for the numerous other 'hearts' within the Greater Athens metropolis.

Voula

If you fancy a trip to the seaside, but it's either too cold or too much hassle to swim, why not visit Voula Mainstreet? It has the feel of a seaside resort, but with the convenience of the city. It does not take long to get there by car, tram or express bus from the centre, but as soon as you arrive, you feel the city is no more than a memory; traffic on the mainstream is slowed by crossings and deliberate narrowing of the carriageway and on-street parking; and the restaurants and cafes have lined their tables and pergolas along the edge of the pavement, creating a long arena between the shopfronts and the tables which is almost always occupied by people, old and young, walking, playing, running, watching and working; enjoying the city and the community.