Greek daily newspaper Kathimerini reports that a pilot program called “The Triangle” has resulted in a sea change in relations between the municipality and shop owners in Athens’s “commercial triangle,” as the capital’s central retail district is known, resulting in an effective coexistence in a city that’s difficult at the best of times but which is going through an especially hard time now.
The Triangle was initiated last year with funding from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. It has since yielded tangible results. In the area, Athinas, Evripidou, Pericleous, Athinaidos and Aghias Eirinis streets are gradually being pedestrianized. Building facades, some of which are considered architectural treasures, are being rid of layers of spray paint and posters, and covered with anti-graffiti and hydrophobic coatings. City Hall has partnered up with chemicals company Booka for this specific task.
In order to improve the lack of green space in the Greek capital, potted plants have been placed outside of shops, along with benches, chairs and tables, inviting the public to stop and look around. Twelve telecom cable terminals have been decorated by artists. The area’s lighting has also been improved with the installation of 3,040 street lamps – although at the same time the rest of the municipality of Athens has been waiting on the approval of 50,000 street lamps for two years now.
Read full story here.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Barcex License: CC-BY-SA
Source: ekathimerini.com
