The National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), the Hellenic Society for the Environment and Culture (ELETE), and the World Monuments Fund have jointly proposed the exclusion of strategic investments or projects that combine tourism with residential use in the Special Urban Planning Plan for Serifos.
The three organizations advocate for the full adoption of the positions outlined in the studies of the NTUA and ELETE, recommending their integration into the islands Special Urban Planning Plan. The aim is to achieve:
- Controlled development within settlements,
- Radical restriction of building beyond the designated areas (outdoor building),
- Substantial protection of the mining and cultural landscape of the southwestern part of the island.
As highlighted in their positions, the tourism model for Serifos should be based on gentle development, with an emphasis on specialized and alternative forms of tourism that cater to the international demand for authentic cultural experiences, ensuring a higher added value per visitor. They emphasize that economic sustainability is best ensured through small- and medium-scale investments, harmonized with the landscape, cultural identity, and the islands limits.
Thus, they propose:
The ban on private urban planning and the exclusion of strategic investments or projects that combine tourism and residential development (such as STK, OMAT, and ESHASE projects).
The exclusion of cruise infrastructure, arguing that such investments are incompatible with the scale, character, and capacities of Serifos and their cost is disproportionate to their economic return.
They also suggest abolishing contemporary cave dwellings, noting that while they reference traditional forms, they increase the intensity of development and alter the natural and cultural landscape. Moreover, they pose a risk of damaging archaeological and mining remains on the island.
Recommendations for Sustainable Development
Taking into account the long-standing scientific approaches provided by the organizations, the proposal also suggests several guidelines for a gentle and economically competitive development of the island, which would maximize long-term benefits for the local community:
- Setting strict and differentiated building and plot limits to prevent scattered and intensive development.
- Maintaining and enhancing the restrictions of the 2002 Presidential Decree, as a key legal tool for landscape protection and curbing uncontrolled development.
- Establishing and expanding Protection Zones A and B for the Historic Mining Landscape. This includes a clear spatial definition and a graduated system of restrictions, aiming to protect all critical archaeological, mining, and landscape resources (coastal, terrestrial, and underground) and prevent scattered or indirect residential and tourist pressures outside settlement limits.
- Providing special regulations and incentives for the repurposing of traditional abandoned parts of settlements or rural buildings for residential and/or mild tourist use, with limited allowed area.
- Ensuring clear spatial protection and strengthening the primary sector zones, aimed at preserving agricultural land and traditional uses, in synergy with low-impact agrotourism that strengthens the local economy.
Global Recognition of Serifos Landscape Protection
The international recognition of the need to protect Serifos’ high-value landscape and monuments came in 2025 when the Historic Mining Landscape of Serifos was included in the 2025 World Monuments Watch program by the World Monuments Fund.
It is worth noting that similar well-developed proposals for the creation of an extensive outdoor museum had already been presented in 1998 by the Cultural Foundation of the Piraeus Group.
Conclusion
This initiative marks a crucial step toward preserving the unique character of Serifos, with the goal of ensuring sustainable, eco-friendly development that harmonizes with the island’s natural and cultural heritage. By prioritizing small-scale, culturally sensitive tourism, Serifos can maintain its authenticity and charm while enhancing its economic sustainability. The exclusion of large-scale, high-impact investments such as cruise infrastructure and cave dwellings will help maintain the integrity of the islands landscape and ensure long-term benefits for both locals and visitors.
