The lost opportunity of Athens before it became the city of Babel: Is the compensation to blame? What happens to the preserves?
The need for quantity and the lack of planning are two key factors for the current image of Athens. Are the only reasons that have shaped such a historic city into a Babel architecture? Probably not. The biggest responsibility, as it happens in these cases, is the State and the timeless policies that allowed whatever the owner wanted to be built in Athens. The compensation system is also to blame, but not as much as we think. This, at least, is supported by Manos Kranidis.
Invited to podcast of Newsbeast, is the experienced civil engineer and member of the Board of Directors and the Information Secretariat of POMIDA. “Athens has its own identity. He could have ID. It has not utilized its neoclassical buildings. It doesn’t have an architectural template – which it should. Be on the faces. This has been happening for many years, even before Tritsis,” says Mr. Kranidis.
“After the war we needed economic development and Athens got carried away. This could not be combined with quality in the architectural part. Maybe it wasn’t possible, because there was speed. There was the institution of consideration. The high-rise apartment buildings. Constant construction everywhere. At the same time, there were no corresponding shared infrastructures. This building volume could not be covered”, adds the member of the Board of Directors and the Information Secretariat of POMIDA.
“Urbanism brought the box buildings – these apartment buildings that we see. Some have a character because great architects back then, but it wasn’t a trend. There was the need for quantity. Then the great opportunity for Athens was lost. If there was an urban plan that was based on the creation of an architectural heritage and identity – by highlighting the preserved ones, by highlighting the neoclassical buildings or creating a new architectural model to connect with them and shared infrastructure at the same time, we would have another city”argues Mr. Kranidis.
“An improved Athens would help more in the economy, in transportation, in beauty. Everywhere”adds the experienced civil engineer.
Listen to the interesting conversation with Manos Kranidis on the Newsbeast podcast
Timetable
0:52 The architectural identity of Athens.
2:03 The seasons and architectural trends found in the streets of the capital.
3:15 Was there a plan for the post-war development of Athens or was it delivered by the explosion of building development?
4:51 The great opportunity to build the capital with a proper urban plan.
6:00 Is the measure of compensation the most important reason for the current image of Athens?
7:29 State policy on listed buildings.
13:14 Which streets of the capital can be described as European?
15:31 Finally, is Athens a nice or ugly city?
Newsbeast Podcast
Manos Kranidis: “The mistakes that real estate owners make – The secrets of realestate – How we add value to our property”
Themistocles Bakas: “My Home” Program: Who is eligible for low-interest loans – Where are there available houses in Athens – The conditions
Dimitris Anastasopoulos: Red loans: No home is protected, what can the borrower do – The big trap for guarantors
Nikos Tsadaris: Four myths and three truths about driving and car behavior
Vassilis Korkidis: “This is the profession of the future that can be developed in Greece – The comparison of Crete and Rhodes”