Page 28 - ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL 2022

ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL
word of mouth
"THE ATHENS RIVIERA IS

are residents or visitors who will stay for only a few days. When we PART OF OUR STRATEGY TO THE ARCHITECTURAL
invest in the quality of life of our residents, we are also investing in
Athens as a destination for visitors. We need to change our way of PROMOTE THE CITY AS A OFFICE HAS ENVISIONED
thinking and understand our city holistically. We do not want a com- VISITOR DESTINATION THAT
petition between tourism and the local economy; instead we need to A UNIQUE ECOSYSTEM
treat our destination and our city as one place. In fact, we are already HAS EVERYTHING TO OFFER
seeing the benefits of this approach in a burst of construction activ- COMPRISING SEVERAL
ity throughout the city that will make Athens more livable both for REGARDING QUALITY OF
visitors and for locals. DISTINCT COMMUNITIES,
For Athens, how big a concern is climate change as regards the LIFE, AND KEEPS MOVING
health of citizens, for example, in relation to air quality? EACH WITH ITS OWN
Climate change is a concern for every city in the world, not only FORWARD." CHARACTER.
Athens. Almost every week I am talking with other mayors about
the challenges that we face, many of which are the same on every
continent. Together we are exploring ways to use our strengths as
municipal authorities and we study the best practices to get the job
done – to lower emissions and protect the health of our residents. Finally, these spaces will close the divide between Athens and the
Athens is leading the way on issues like urban heat. We were the first Western Suburbs, as well as Athens and the Riviera. We can connect
city in Europe to appoint a Chief Heat Officer, and we are proud all the pieces of the region together so that all Athenians will have
that she has already been tapped as a global leader on the issue who access to a world class waterfront as well as cultural performances
will utilize lessons learned from Athens. For example, this year, we and museums that are spread throughout the city.
implemented a Heat Alert system that helps residents and visitors Athens Riviera would soon have what it takes to emerge as an in-
to be informed about hot weather, so that they can understand the ternational hub of innovation, wellbeing, and culture, as well as
risks of changing weather conditions in order to stay safe. one of tourism and commerce. Given this incredible development,
Though Athens has always issues with traffic congestion, do you which is the biggest challenge for the city of Athens?
think that Athenians are prepared for the new greener era of their We have spent a decade facing challenges. Today our goal is to stop
city? What are Mayor’s of Athens priorities on this area? losing time. We have a lot of catching up to do, but little by little the
The discussion about traffic and congested streets started decades city is changing. The pandemic reinforced the need to move swiftly,
ago, and many of the solutions we are applying today have also been and we need to be sure that we are utilizing our investments smart-
on the table for decades. The City of Athens is prepared to lead this ly. We need to mark our achievements and keep moving forward.
discussion. In fact, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council has Let’s say a friend of yours was visiting Athens but only for 24
rated us as excellent for the work that is already being done to make hours. What three things would you recommend, beyond the
Athens a sustainable tourism destination. That work encompasses must-see attractions?
green projects like parks and trees, but it’s also about equitable devel- First, I should say that I want my friends to visit longer than 24
opment and making sure that our infrastructure and public spaces hours, and the same goes for all our visitors. Athens would be a good
are accessible to everyone. It’s our priority to be talking about the candidate to lead the slow tourism movement because so much of
whole City of Athens, all our 129 neighborhoods. our quality of life is about taking time. We could choose one or two
The Athens Riviera is returning to a world-renowned beachfront of our incredible museums to check out the latest exhibition. We
destination putting the Greek capital on the map, for the right could go to a great performance at a theater or an open-air cinema
ATHENS’ HISTORIC MARKET reasons. How are you involved in all that? and spend the evening under the stars. Or, if we’re lucky, we could
pass the whole afternoon with friends slowly drinking a coffee and
Through our international brand This is Athens, we are inviting vis-
Kostas Bakoyannis visiting the emblematic Varvakeios, the Athens Central Market, after the total reconstruction of the shelters
I n an exclusive interview for the first edition of performances and joined conversations about the city during the future. The Athens Riviera is part of that strategy to promote the Having in mind that now the majority of human population lives
and building infrastructure of the sales areas located on its lower side.
eating some mezedes, until suddenly it’s evening and we find our-
itors to see a city that wants to live its life, which is vital and growing,
selves at dinner under the Acropolis.
takes inspiration from the past and belongs unquestionably to the
Athens Riviera Journal, the “constant mayor” of Athens
This is Athens City Festival in May. Plus, we are seeing visitor traf-
in cities, the importance of mayors’ roles is bigger than ever. In
city as a visitor destination that has everything to offer regarding
fic hitting new records for the first time since 2019. Undoubtedly,
your opinion, how can more young generation leaders be attracted
outlined his vision for the city that “wants to live its
quality of life, and keeps moving forward.
life, which is vital and growing, takes inspiration from
to engage more in local politics?
Three times the size of Monaco, Europe’s largest urban regener-
this is the moment for Athens, and we are extremely proud to have
the past and belongs unquestionably to the future.”
ation project of the Ellinikon is Greece’s most significant private
a role in this great success story.
There are already many people engaged in local politics at all age
What wellbeing and livability objectives is the City of Athens fo-
investment in a decade. Do you see the potential for more invest-
As Athens moves forward and becomes a stunning
levels, especially young people, and we are really grateful for their
cused on at the moment?
ment here after the plans regarding Athens Riviera?
tourism destination with a modern seaside area, are
commitment. The key thing is to reverse the brain drain of the last
you optimistic for the future?
We are moving quickly to upgrade all our services as we have no time
ten years. We need to compete to retain and attract talent in the same
The old airport at Ellinikon has remained an open wound for decades,
Athens is back. After a decade moving from crisis to
crisis, we are moving forward with confidence and dy-
ing graffiti and fixing sidewalks. This summer, we are completing
need large new parks to serve as our urban lungs, but we don’t have
quality of life. That starts a cycle in which people will stay in Athens,
namism. Athens has returned as a global destination,
a significant redevelopment project on Syntagma Square, and we
invest in Athens, and engage with Athens. When residents see some-
space to create them in the city center. Now we have the opportunity
are moving forward to the redevelopment of Panepistimiou. As far
and we have established a reputation as a hotbed for creative culture to lose. We are creating and upgrading parks and public spaces, clean- and finally we are going to start the healing process. We desperately way that we compete for visitors, and we can do that by investing in
thing nice happening on their street and like our efforts to repave
to create green parks in a few spaces that are not densely built, both
and innovation. The city is coming back to life in an exciting way, as our social policy concerns, during the pandemic we created an at Ellinikon as well as at Votanikos where we will soon start creat- sidewalks or make schools accessible, they become interested in the
and as proof I can point the 50,000 people and more who attended umbrella of protection for all Athenians regardless of whether they ing a new athletics complex that will be surrounded by a large park. work and they may become inspired to stay in the community. 
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