Unification of Athens Archaeological Sites

Pursuing the proposals of the Athens Master Plan, the Greek ministry of the Environment, Planning and Public Works, and the ministry of Culture assigned a series of studies aiming to elaborate a joint two-ministry program to unify the archaeological sites of the city. Following that, the two ministries created the Agency Unification of the Archaeological Sites of Athens S.A. whose aim is to implement the projects under this program. From the founding of the company until April March 2004 Architect Giannis Kalantidis acted as President and CEO.

The term ?unification? means the creation of a continuous fabric of public spaces, parks, and facilities for culture and recreation, which will incorporate and link all the significant cultural landmarks of Athens, including its principal monuments and archaeological sites.

The unification program aims to restore the historic continuity of the city, and to create poles of attraction for its residents, also providing a better quality of life in an overall space with upgraded environment and functions, including culture?where the harmonious coexistence of various city elements associated with its cultural history but also with its modern growth will highlight the historic physiognomy of Athens.

In that context, the particular goals of the program shall aim to: - Organize and enhance the archaeological sites of Athens.
- Create an upgraded network of pedestrian roads linking the archaeological zones of Athens, restoring the patterns of ancient pedestrian traffic, to the extent possible.
- Create public plazas and planted parks that will traverse and unify the various parts of the project. This will increase the public and green spaces along the pedestrian roads and new pathways created by the program.
- Restore and maintain monuments and buildings (restore facades, eliminate billboards, etc.)
- Draft suitable legislation including architecture regulations for the program area.
- Reduce building density in districts that affect the character of the zones unified under the project.
- Draft traffic and parking regulations in conjunction with the public transport system. Create a tramway serving the central pedestrian roads.