Athens is defined by a hotchpotch of layers as periods of the city’s history straddle over previous ones, merging in a convoluted way to present the modern-day capital’s present identity. The first and only skyscraper, the 28-storey Athens Tower, was acquired in 1971 thanks to a briefly-imposed developmental law passed during the Greek military junta (1967-1974) granting permission for the erection of skyscrapers. The construction of such high-rise buildings stopped as Athenians lamented that these would overshadow the Acropolis that can be viewed from around the city.
The situation, however, is about to change again thanks to permits granted to two ten-storey buildings around the Acropolis area. Local residents are furious with the decision to allow for the buildings that are blocking the view of the Acropolis and have launched an online petition to stop construction. They are concerned that the Parthenon will be boxed in and demand that the Greek Environment Ministry intervene so that building licenses around the area can be re-examined, and hopefully be revoked.
One of the buildings in the neighbourhood of Makriyianni has already started construction, and a second 10-storey apartment started going up on Misaraliotou Street in October.
Kostas Bakoyiannis, running for Athens mayor in the upcoming municipal elections, released a statement: “The Acropolis belongs to everyone… Therefore we have to respect it. We cannot allow urban monstrosities to pop up around it and cast their own shadow upon its light,” he said.
The Greek Environment Ministry has responded to complaints by setting up a committee to review the regulations concerning buildings in the Acropolis and the surrounds.
The Hellenic Society for the Environment and Culture (ELLET), a group dedicated to ensuring that the character of the city urges action to be taken.
A petition on the AVVAAZ platform, launched to stop the projects, has already gathered almost 20,000 signatures.
