Athens’ €85bn Urban Regeneration Plan Gets Green Light

Monastiraki square, central Athens.

Urban regeneration, energy-saving, health, welfare, educational and cultural projects in the Greek capital are set to take off after the Region of Attica approved 85 million euros in NSRF funding, the Athens Municipality announced on Friday.

Under the “Athens 2020: Sustainable Development for Tourism, Culture and Innovation” program backed by EU funding for the 2014-2020 period, the municipality will begin implementing interventions and actions as well as promoting tourism development and entrepreneurship.

“Through the Athens 2020 program we are proceeding with actions that are twofold and concern the economic development of the city and improving the quality of life for Athenians.

In this context, we have planned interventions with a significant impact on Athens, that will contribute to the revitalization of the city, the relief of vulnerable groups and the improvement of citizens’ daily lives,” Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis said.

Priorities include a series of urban regeneration projects designed for the city’s historic and trade center, the remodelling of Agios Pandeleimonas Square on Acharnon St, the upgrade of infrastructure and landscaping at the National Gardens, promotional actions for the city as a major tourism destination, the completion of the Maria Callas Museum, and the energy upgrade of schools and public buildings.

The ultimate goal of the Athens 2020 program is to revitalize the urban center, enhance the services offered and improve the standard of living in order to ensure that the Greek capital is an attractive tourism and investment destination.