Excessive construction of dwellings serves as catalyst for flooding in Voula
Voula often falls victim to flooding, which officials say may have been caused by residential overdevelopment in the suburb. But since every available bit of land seems to cost a fortune, no one is interested in providing for ditches or other water runoff devices to protect the area. Consider the case of the land in front of a school in Voula which, according to the Athens Town Plan, should be for athletic uses. Meanwhile, Athens authorities have requested in writing from the Town Planning Administration of the Municipality of Voula the go-ahead for development since it is considered «public space.» So far, that hasn’t happened. The municipal authorities would like to see land in the suburb continue to go up in value. According to a document by the Athens Water, Supply and Sewage Company (EYDAP), the municipality illegally allowed development on a portion of a streambed, which then flooded. The water had to be diverted to Dervenakion Street. At the same time, the stream along Dervenakion Street between Voutira Street and Vouliagmenis Avenue has been filled with rubble. Regarding the plot of school land under discussion for development, Voula Mayor Giorgos Mantesis said that 40 to 45 percent of the land should be developed for athletic uses, as envisioned under the law, while the remaining portion of it should be returned to its owners. When asked about the stream that runs by the property, Mantesis said the specifics of the stream have been planned for.
