Your (digital) complaints to the Mayor: Kostas Bakoyannis responds to the citizens

A direct, digital and unmediated way of communicating with citizens was launched these days by Mayor of Athens. Through his platform Instagram, users submit short, written questions to the Mayor and he immediately gives his answers, with videos of a few seconds. It answers all the questions raised by citizens regarding the quality of life and everyday life in the city center and neighborhoods.

Mr. Bakoyannis, in this online contact with citizens, which was presented through stories on Instagram, received questions that revolved around the small and large projects in the city, the interventions in the neighborhoods, the quality of life, the social services of the municipality, the digital transformation the strays etc. There were also unexpected questions that gave him the opportunity to answer with humor and a more relaxed mood.

“With this modern way of communication, we seek direct contact with the citizen. The closer we are to our citizens, the better we understand their needs, see the problems and launch the solutions. For three years now, we have been running at a “sprint” pace to catch up with everything that – for a long time – had been left behind. Athens “looks” ahead both with the dozens of major projects that are underway and with the smaller ones that improve the quality of life in the center and its 129 neighborhoods. Mr. Bakoyannis emphasizes in his statement.

What did the citizens ask and what did the Mayor of Athens answer?

As an example, some of the questions raised by the Athenians, as well as the answers of K. Bakoyannis, are listed:

1. When will the Double Redevelopment projects begin, in Botanikos and Eleonas?

“By the end of the year, the bulldozers will have entered. By the end of September we will have auctioned the arena for the best stadium in Greece”.

2. The playground in the Plato Academy park is in poor condition. What is planned?

“It is one of the most important projects of the Municipality of Athens. Very soon, the Ministry of Culture starts with the excavations. We have a whole State, which we want to bring to light. Immediately after, the Municipality starts with the renovation of the area, obviously also the playground. The architectural competition and the Museum of the City of Athens are already in the air. And one more thing, because various “dragons” are heard: Do not believe anyone who comes and tells you that we will cut 500 trees. On the contrary, we will add trees.”

3. Koropoulis has been a request of our neighborhood for 40 years. It has begun and is taking shape. Will it eventually become a park or a parking lot?

“Park. Parking, no way. We are talking about 4 acres. We demolished the building and now we will have the possibility to do the green regeneration to give the area a “lung” of life.

4. In Longinou park, when will the intervention end?

“It’s over, and it’s great. It is the park of Longinos, together with the pedestrian street of Balanos. We have the park, we have a playground, we have a stadium. It may not change the city, but it changes the neighborhood.”

5. In the model of the Constitution the trees were pink. Why did they come out green?

“It’s the gossip. Very nice, Mediterranean, deciduous trees that turn pink in spring. It will be the square of the 4 seasons”.

6. Will the energy crisis and punctuality lead to increases in municipal fees?

“With none. Or to put it more simply, no.”

7. The recipe for dolmades?

“Grandma Marika, goddess. He left a recipe book. This is the English version, which has the whole recipe for dolmades. For chocolates, to my mother!”

8. If you had the opportunity, what changes in local government laws would you proceed with?

“It means the bureaucracy. Consider, from the time we tender a project to the time we sign the contract, we want 9-11 months with all of us on top. These rates have nothing to do with real-life speeds.”

9. What are the next steps for the city’s digital transition?

“Now I advertise: e-services.cityofathens.gr. That’s 150 new digital services. By the end of the year we will have digitized 100% of the Municipality of Athens”.

10. Athens has a problem with smudges. What have you done about graffiti?

“It is an ongoing battle, a battle of culture. In total, to date we have done 35,000 sq.m. For example, the entire Plaka, the Panhellenic and the day before yesterday the Ancient Agora. We continue”.

11. Do you have a plan for strays?

“I am extremely proud that we have created the first modern model shelter for strays in the country, where they receive all the care and support they need until they find a decent home. Enter the animalscityofathens.gris a new adoption platform where you can also sign up as a volunteer and come every Sunday to help us.”

12. We hope to have lighting for everyone’s safety.

“You are quite right. Light is security. In a few weeks, the biggest project of the Municipality of Athens begins after the double reconstruction. In total, we will upgrade 46,000 lights in the city, replacing them with LEDs. So, light, savings and automation at the same time. Athens enters the 21st century”.

13. Have the procedures in the Constitution been completed or will others follow?

“Right now the Constitution is an empty house, without furniture. Two fountains will be added to have water and coolness and also table seats and shade. Where there was asphalt, now there is life.”

14. When will the reconstruction of the University be completed?

“Until Easter. Until then it will be delivered in parts. Therefore, very soon you will see the final result.”

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