Tension between locals and tourists in Athens; The neighborhood of gods under the shadow of tourism

Quoted by ISNA; Athens, formerly known as the point of moving to the Greek islands, has now become one of the most visited cities in the world. According to statistics, the number of tourists in the city increased compared to the previous year, and the Parthenon Temple in Acropolis alone had nearly 1.5 million visitors last year.

The Plaka neighborhood, known as the “Khodian Neighborhood” and has been constantly residing in Europe as the oldest residential area of Europe since ancient times, is now considered “unmistakable” by tourists, café and restaurant terraces, music and crowded alleys.

Lydia Caras, head of the area’s environment and cultural heritage, warned:

We cannot see Plaka lose its soul.

Tourism is still one of the main pillars of the Greek economy, and after the financial crisis, it has helped improve the economic situation and create employment. Local vendors say tourism boom has contributed to the return of economic stability, but local residents complain about its consequences, such as the astronomical increase in rents and the change of home use to short -term rental units.

Harris Dukas, the mayor of Athens, speaks proudly of the city’s world position, but says Plaka is saturated with tourists. He adds:

We have not yet reached the crisis of the city of Barcelona, but we have to take action before it is late.

An intervention unit to monitor violations, such as the occupation of sidewalks by the terrace of restaurants and car parks, is formed, according to AFP. The conservative government of Greece has also banned new apartments on short -term rental platforms in central Athens for a year.

Dimitris Melisas, a lawyer in urban planning, believes that many buildings have been illegally transformed into multi -rental apartments and act as a hotel. He has filed a complaint against four buildings to the Supreme Administrative Council of the country, which can create an important record in legislation.

However, he doubts about the true impact of the ban and says that the problem of Greece is not in the law, it is implementing them.

Plaka also faced the rush of nightlife and recreation centers in the 1980s until the presidential decree in year 2, and residential uses and construction restrictions were implemented. Now, with the new wave of mass tourism (eerobhism), the risk of destroying the social structure and cultural heritage is once again threatening the area.