The Environment Ministry is set to revise the Regulatory Framework for Athens-Attica, with a major focus on transforming the former Elliniko airport into a self-sustained “city within a city” on Athens’ southern coast, according to an article by Giorgos Lialios in ekathimerini.com.
The plan will also address transportation and infrastructure challenges, including the controversial government park at the former PYRKAL factory.
“The revision will address critical issues in infrastructure and transportation, particularly concerning the Elliniko hub and the significant needs that will arise from the settlement of 30,000 residents, as projected in the environmental impact studies,” said Efthymios Bakoyannis, Secretary-General for Spatial Planning and Urban Environment, at the E-Mobility Conference. He added that the plan would explore trams, buses, and a potential metro expansion, as well as evaluate the impact of the project on Attica’s road congestion.
The tender, handled by the Hellenic Corporation of Assets and Participations (HCAP), is set for February, with a €1.16 million budget. Additionally, the agency will launch a study to review the protection status of mounts Pikilo and Egaleo, west of Athens.
However, a key question remains: how will the Environment Ministry approach the revision? The previous framework (2014) was developed with input from leading universities, yet the ministry has been reluctant to consult with the scientific community this time. Experts have already opposed several government decisions, including the PYRKAL park, which is proceeding, and the Tatoi estate conference center, which has been scrapped. The extent to which expert advice will shape the final plan remains uncertain.
Source: ekathimerini.com
