New Athens Mayor Doukas Announces City Priority Projects

Athens, Greece. Photo source: This is Athens / Copyright Thomas Gravanis

A new model of administration with clear areas of responsibility, transparency and accountability are the top priorities of Athens’ new mayor Haris Doukas, who stepped in on January 1.

Doukas replaces Kostas Bakoyannis after a surprise win in municipal elections last fall securing 55.96 percent of the vote.

In an interview to SKAI radio this week, Doukas underlined the importance of accountability in local governance and added that the municipality will be planting 1,000 trees in the coming period. Doukas said a relevant regulation was being prepared and that planting trees in the city center was now more than ever a matter of “survival”.

Athens Mayor Haris Doukas. Photo source: Municipality of Athens

The city’s new mayor went on to add that he hopes to have the support of the government during his tenure.

Among others, Doukas pledged to reach out to large companies in order for these to support the restoration and preservation of old school buildings under their corporate responsibility programs.

The new mayor added that he would accelerate plans announced by Bakoyannis under the double redevelopment program which includes the construction of the new Panathinaikos Stadium in Votanikos initially scheduled to be completed by 2025. One of the largest urban regeneration projects in Athens, plans also include facilities to house the amateur Panathinaikos sports club in the western Athens suburb of Votanikos and the creation of a new park.

An impression of the Panathinaikos amateur club indoor arena and surrounding facilities. Photo source: Municipality of Athens

“The major challenge is to proceed as quickly as possible with these changes on one basic condition: to design these in cooperation with the citizens,” said Doukas, adding that new model of governance will focus on the way Athenians participate and cooperate and take part in the decision-making… “to create their own neighborhoods and take life into their own hands”.

Rizari Park, Athens. Photo source: Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO)

Among others, Doukas also referred to decisions by the previous municipality which would be reexamined and changed, including the protection of trees in Rizari Park and Strefi Hill, which are high on the agenda, and the future of the city’s cultural, sport and youth organization (OPANDA).