Holiday homes blanket Greece’s coastline
An impenetrable wall of buildings lines the shores of Attica, Corinthia, Viotia and Fthiotida. Generations of summer houses have covered up every free beach, replacing the natural landscape with densely built and often densely inhabited areas. The entire seaside face of Attica looks more urban every day, even parts that were villages just a few years ago. This didn’t happen overnight. Acquiring a beach house for weekend getaways or as a retirement haven has long been the dream of the postwar generations. This kind of development has boomed primarily because of the state’s tolerance. Only in the past few years have lawmakers realized the consequences of the breakneck and chaotic pace of seaside development and tried to establish a framework to better regulate it. But is it too late? It could be for the coastal area of Attica. Illegal and legal subdivision and the overconcentration of building have destroyed the natural surroundings in large areas. In the past decade, with the sudden expansion of the urban fabric toward Mesogeia, many of these areas have been made into primary residences without the benefit of the most elementary infrastructure. The problem will become more acute in the future as their populations grow. In areas neighboring Attica, it may not be too late. Old detached houses are gradually being replaced by better buildings, improving the appearance of some areas. At the same time, many seaside towns are trying to change their image and revitalize themselves. Some are succeeding, while others – the old seaside resorts – are going downhill because they are overcrowded. Experts say the same fate awaits many parts of Greece, including many of the islands.
