Total opposition to the plan to transfer the services of nine ministries from the center of the capital at the site of PYRKAL, to Hymettos, was expressed during the Municipal Council of the Municipality of Athens.

The Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis, addressing the city council, emphasized among other things that “The central administration is not a homemaker who can leave whenever he wants and none of us want a state that decides without discussing. Certainly, no one wants a capital city with 127 concrete coffins. It would be a historic turning point for Athens. Two hundred years of history does not change in 20 minutes. Athens would change its character. This development, as it emerges from the proposal, goes against the entire institutional framework, the general urban plan and above all, it goes against the modern logic of spatial planning and urban planning. All zoning officers prefer the mixed-use solution. Is the view of a “cyber city” “old” based on the data of Europe, and that is why we are coming and discussing it”, underlined Mr. Bakoyiannis, who earlier described the reality that is forming for the Athens of the future, the development of the coastal front and the simultaneous – if implemented – creation of the government park in PYRKAL.

“If we mentally travel back in time to the Athens of 2030, what will we see? We will see first of all an absolutely welcome, impressive and spectacular, I hope, development on the beach front. For the first time, Athens, which was created with its back to the sea, will turn and open its arms towards the sea. At the same time, if and when PYRKAL’s plan is implemented, we will see an Athens with 127 empty buildings. With many of the administrative functions being transferred outside the capital city limits. And these are not developments that take place in a vacuum. A wave of decentralization has preceded it. And according to the results of the latest census, Athens is possibly the only European capital which is losing population, which is shrinking. All this, therefore, makes sense to make us think a lot. Especially since public administration must be done responsibly and without haste”, stressed the mayor of Athens.

“It is a double intervention, which however has only one study. In practice, the consequences and implications for Athens are not taken into account at all. That is why there is the following paradox, that the environmental study has no reference to Athens. Our big fear is that we will end up with a lot of black holes within the urban fabric, while we already have a lot of black holes on public property. Whether we are talking about the narrow public sector or public companies. We ask that this plan not proceed, if an open, public consultation is not held – I should note here that in this request we identify with the request of many city bodies – and if the relevant necessary studies have not been carried out”, said the Mayor of Athens and expressed his intention to come to an equal discussion about the Athens of the future. He said, finally, that specific proposals have already been submitted by the Municipality of Athens.

“They could become green spaces, cultural spaces, workers’ or social housing. A very big ask in a city where rents are constantly rising. It cannot be done without a plan and competent resources. We cannot leave Athens to the automatic. When, in fact, this contradicts the way the municipal authority works, with a plan and a goal setting. We hope to hear from you. We will sit at the dialogue table with our minds and ears open. Citizens are also citizens”, concluded Mr. Bakoyannis.

“Athens is the only capital city whose population is decreasing. The increase in rents and the punctuality drive the residents away” noted Rigas Axelos, councilor of “Open City” and vice-president of the Municipal Council. Pavlos Geroulanos from the faction “Athens Is You You” described the planned project as “rough and violent”, while the Athens People’s Coalition also expressed its strong opposition to the plan.