Regional Background:
Regional Background
The capital city of Athens and its metropolitan region (AMA) constitutes the main "gateway'' to Greece. One third of the Greek population resides in the AMA, which produces around one third of Greece's GDP.
Athens and its region, Attica, are going through a very dynamic transition period after 20 -30 years of inertia that eroded the quality of life and competitiveness of the Metropolitan area
New Olympic infrastructures, complementing environmental and architectural assets, are radically transforming the region.
Mobilizing for the Olympic Games has generated new attitudes and innovative approaches involving the public and the private sector in partnership.
Preparatory works connected with the Olympic Games have effectively restructured the urban region
More conducive environment for economic growth is now being created thanks to major infrastructure investments
The investments which include the enhancement of the city centre through the Program of Unification of Archeological Sites, the refurbishment of hotels, a new metro, a tramway system, ring roads connecting outlying suburbs, the construction of competition venues and new road connections and the redeveloped coastal zone enhanced the Metropolitan area’s quality of life and the competitiveness of the city
The above investments improved the image of Athens as an international venue for year round tourism, convention business, sporting competitions and other major events
Thus, he 2004 Olympic Games provided an excellent opportunity to project a new image of Athens attractive in terms of both economic investment and quality of life. It is planned that the post - Olympic use of infrastructures, facilities and equipment will generate substantial economic and social benefits for the Athens Region.
Spatial Planning and Strategic Planning For Athens Metropolitan Area (AMA):
Spatial Planning and Strategic Planning For Athens Metropolitan Area (AMA)
Athens Structure Plan is the Strategic Spatial Plan for the Athens Metropolitan Area and is overseen by a national government agency, the Organisation of Athens.
The Structure Plan determines the guiding framework that sets the policy goals, orientations and specific measures for the sustainable development of Attica and suggests a number of priorities concerning urban and interurban spatial structure.
The Structure Plan enforcement power lies mainly on setting the frame for detailed legally binding ‘lower tier’ spatial plans and building control instruments. Its effectiveness is supported by ‘recommendation-type’ policy measures that are not linked to any implementation programmes.
The current system also reveals a ‘cluttered’ administrative context, so regulatory systems need to workable and clear for those responsible for implementation as well as for stakeholders.
The main objectives of the Athens Structure Plan as regards the development of the Greater Athens Area within the national framework are the:
a. Stabilisation of the population of the Greater Athens Area, ultimately aiming at its reduction
b. Containment of the expanding economic activities in the capital and promotion of the capital as the national centre of administrative functions.