The Municipality is proceeding with the preparation of a specialized study for the restoration and stabilization of landslide phenomena in two critical areas of Skopelos, with the support of the Development Organization of the Local Government of Magnesia S.A., and the Development Organization of Pelion S.A. The relevant program agreement was recently approved, responding to the need to address serious problems that threaten both the safety of residents and visitors and the protection of the island’s cultural heritage.
According to the Municipality’s data, landslide phenomena have been observed in the western part of the Venetian Castle, above “Mill” Square, as well as in the Radiofaros – Karavotsakisma area. At the Venetian Castle, cracks and detachments in the rock directly threaten the ruins of the ancient acropolis and the medieval fortification, while rock falls have occurred in one of the most popular tourist areas of the island, endangering public safety.
Similar problems have been identified in the Radiofaro – Karavotsakisma area, where subsidence of the ground is observed under the asphalt road, which leads to residential areas and older shops. The phenomenon is accompanied by cracks and subsidence in the road surface, while caving has also been created, a fact that is aggravated by the direct contact of the slope with the winter wave.
The preparation of the study is considered necessary for the full investigation of the geotechnical and hydrological conditions, the collection and evaluation of all available data, and of course the design of the necessary restoration and stabilization projects of the areas.
Given the understaffing and increased workload in the Directorate of Technical Services, Urban Planning and Environment of the Municipality of Skopelos, cooperation with the Development Organization of the Local Government of Magnesia is a critical prerequisite for the completion of the study within a reasonable time frame.
The programmatic contract comes to fill an urgent gap in technical support, at a time when the need to address natural hazards is more urgent than ever, especially in areas with tourist pressure, cultural load and intense relief, such as Skopelos.
