Athens Mayor: ‘No More Concrete and Massive Constructions’ in the Greek Capital

Birds eye view of Athens, Greece. Photo source: Municipality of Athens

Athens Mayor Haris Doukas is calling for the implementation of height restriction laws in efforts to put a stop to the unregulated increase in the number of new high rise buildings in the Greek capital.

“The dilemma we are faced with is whether to continue living in a city of concrete or to change direction and create a city that can breathe. Athens can no longer tolerate more cement and more massive constructions,” Doukas said during the Municipal Council meeting this week.

Also attending the meeting was constitutional law professor Nikos Alivizatos who underlined the importance of not setting new precedents. One such example, he said, was the Coco-Mat Athens BC, located in the Koukaki neighborhood which was found to be in violation of building height laws blocking the view to the Acropolis. Despite a court decision, the company has still not torn down its two top floors.

“The Supreme Court decision on the Coco-mat hotel near the Acropolis, was issued four years ago and has yet to be implemented. These decisions are never implemented,” he said, adding that if legal protection is not taken immediately an “unacceptable disaster” is imminent.

Athens Mayor Haris Doukas.

Doukas also went on to add that construction companies behind so-called “green” skyscrapers are “greenwashing” the public and presenting false solutions to the climate crisis, something the European Commission has also identified.

Among others, the Athens City Council agreed unanimously to apply height restriction limits as foreseen by a 1955 law until a spatial planning regulation is finalized.