Athens revamp
As Kathimerini has repeatedly pointed out, hosting the Olympic Games these days confers no particular symbolism or prestige. A host city can only offset the huge economic burden by exploiting the event so as to promote itself and the country and by treating it as an opportunity for a broader urban revamp program, meaning undertaking necessary projects that have been suspended because completing them is not considered an urgent matter. Kathimerini recently noted that this particular opportunity seems to have been largely wasted as far as road projects are concerned, as general confusion and the inclusion of peripheral programs in the Strategic Map, economic strains, and antagonism between the interested parties have resulted in the cancellation of eight major projects. The focus now is on the completion of 13 projects that are thought to be the most essential ones. The situation seems to be better as far as urban renovation projects and creation of parks is concerned. Should Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou’s announcements yesterday prove true, extended revamp projects will take place in the National Garden, Lycabettus Hill and the old refugee apartments on Alexandras Avenue and in the Kerameikos district. Admitting that there is not enough time to complete all planned projects, Papandreou said that they will be continued after the Games, raising hopes that the projects will be part of a broader program aiming to improve the overall image of the city and not just part of a temporary window which will be left to disintegrate after the closing ceremony. Papandreou’s pledges do not make up for the delays and mismanagement that have already undercut the original expectations. But one should admit that these interventions will breathe some life into a capital which has a limited number of open spaces and which is overwhelmed by a sea of unattractive buildings. The government has to make every possible effort, while the opposition, the press and the public should put pressure for the implementation of future projects without any more discounts – qualitative or quantitative. The opposition has to demand full information and cooperation with the government, so as to ensure that long-term projects will not remain half-finished should there be a political changeover. Athens cannot afford to waste the chance of a revamp.
