Yes to growth – NO to the degradation and alteration of the coastal landscape: This was the unifying and clear message of all participants in the Insocial event for the coastal front, organized in the City Council Hall Glyfada Municipality.
The mayors, the citizens, the bodies and the representatives of the local community joined their voices in favor of a development that respects the natural environment and the free access of all on the coast. The opposition to the creation of a dam or other interventions that will limit or even block access to the beach was universal. The message was clear: Development cannot and should not be at the expense of the nature and rights of citizens. The protection of the coastal landscape is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Maintaining the right of free access to the beach is a prerequisite for a sustainable and fair future.
The event was coordinated by Efi Filippopoulou – Journalist, newspaper director “Palmos of Glyfada”
“We have closed access to the sea soon and the view will be closed,” Nikos Christodoulakis – Professor of OPA, Pr. Minister, head of InSocial. Nikos Christodoulakis raised two important issues: those of over -heating and overheating of the planet, which – as he pointed out – will change today’s advantages of the Mediterranean countries. He also referred to the long building zone that grows in Glyfada and prevents sea views, characteristically saying that “the fence symbol is the number one issue”.
Concerning the investment in Elliniko, he noted that the right proportions between economic growth and environmental protection must be found, as significant derogations have been made from the original plan that significantly burden the region.
In fact, he emphasized a key paradox: “On the one hand, we want wealthy investors who are demanding privacy. On the other hand, we say that the coastal front must be accessible to all citizens. So how is it possible to be fenced at the same time and to be an escape point for the entire Attica population from overheating? “
Reference to both positive and negatives in the area, Savvas Peltekis – Managing Director TÜV HELLAS, Navigation Mechanical Engineer NTUA.
To the positive elements The region itself is one of the most beautiful corners of the country and has nothing to envy from French, Italian or Spanish Riviera. The Saronic Gulf has cleared, the subway and the tram offer a significant breath to travel, while Ymittos has been protected with the contribution of municipalities and SPA (Hymettus Protection and Development Association). In addition, eight marinas have been built to enhance the tourist infrastructure of the area. To the negativesthe difficulty of expanding the subway to Glyfada is recorded and even more to the south. Sloples are also found in flood protection, while uncontrolled construction with high -rise buildings -that are not in line with the character of the area -affects the landscape. At the same time, noise pollution and pressure from over -tourism are concerned. As for the investment in Hellenic, he described it as positive, however, expressing the need for a balance between growth and environmental protection.
“The image of the Saronic Gulf is dramatically altered by the new projects being implemented in the coastal zone. The tall erected towers close the coastal front, limiting visual contact with the sea and creating barriers to the natural flow of landscape. ” Nikos Belavilas – NTUA Professor, Director of the Environment Laboratory. Particular reference was made to the shift of the investment to the sea in Agios Kosmas and the construction of new malls (Mall), which – as it was typically said – “define the investment in Hellenic as cannibalist”. “We pressed it in Greek,” he said, stressing that the investment does not meet the criteria of a healthy, balanced development that respects public space and the environment. On the contrary, it promotes a model that favors commercialization and exclusion. In conclusion, he underlined the need to recover public space and to ensure that citizens have real access to the coastal front.
Costas Botopoulos– Constitutionalist, cf. MEP referred to the decisions of the Council of State, which since 1999, explicitly state that access to the sea must be complete and not merely the possibility of entry. As he pointed out, the CoE has made it clear that in any case where there is a coastal zone, the area is considered particularly vulnerable, in the sense of “sensitive zone”, and therefore increased protection is required. He noted that a balance should be pursued between growth and environmental protection, without the first being crushed by the second. He even described the investment in Greek as “a nail in the eye”, pointing out that this work, instead of being a model of sustainable urban regeneration, intensifies the environmental burden and threatens the concept of public space.
“Need a new urban agreement for a better quality of life in the South Sector,” the position said in his position Pavlos Christidis – MP B3 ′ Southern Sector and PASOK Parliamentary Representative – Change Movement. “A new urban agreement, which adopts good practices from abroad, is coming to form a Sustainable Development Plan for the coastal front, to set a network of green routes and local transport, to focus on urban durability and protection against climate and climate crisis, Poor. “
«We have reached a point where, in my opinion, things are not going well at all“, The Mayor of Glyfada typically said George Papanikolaouexpressing strong concern about the course of investment in Elliniko. “See what the construction site is today. Citizens are complaining about the look of the area, about its cut off, dust and nuisance, “he added. According to him, the entry of new investors is radically changing the data and raises new questions about the final character of the project and respect for the public interest. “We have great anxiety about developments. No one assures us exactly what is going to happen and what will be the real impact on the area and its inhabitants, “he said with emphasis. Concluding, he said: “We are determined to have our heads high. We are not going to compromise with solutions that do not respect man, public space and environment
For his part, the Mayor of Moschato Taurus Andreas Efthymiou He said that the public character of the coastal front in his municipality was maintained with great effort to self -government and the mobilization of the inhabitants. As for Greek, he argued that “I don’t think there is a worse situation, to be considered to be development” \
“The area is characterized by two key elements: Ymittos and the sea,” the mayor of Kallithea stressed Kostas Askounis pointing out that these physical characteristics were taken into account in the Tritsi plan. “I am afraid that the whole coastal front is in danger of being built uncontrollably. We must act immediately. I call as many as possible to participate in the game, see what can still be saved. “
The event was spoken by representatives of the rest of the coastal municipalities, regional councilors, representatives of social actors and organizations and citizens – residents of the coastal zone.
Attended, PASOK’s spokesman Kostas Tsoukalasformer PASOK MP Southern Sector Tonia Antoniouthe former regional governor Giannis Sgourosthe former Member Andreas Makripidis etc.