VERTICAL ATTIKA
Athens, Greece
2006
Athens during the 20th century, developed as a low-rise city and, later, Attica as a low-rise conurbation. The restrictive height limitation for all new buildings, combined with inefficient planning provisions has been significant to the Greek urban landscape, with its lack of landmark locations, limited open space, costly and inefficient infrastructure, environmental degradation and ever increasing distances in terms of both space and time. Within this ever expanding solid mat of the Attica urbanization, a distinct metropolitan character and an urban topography studded with landmarks are sought after.
The imminent ‘post-Olympics’ expansion of Attica puts its urban processes into question. The new developmental and commercial needs, the urban intensity as generated by its present density, and the city’s cultural past and potential, have to affect its practices of urbanization. After the protection of heritage and natural sites has been secured, the introduction of tall buildings in selected locations can stimulate new development and release new open spaces. This will project the horizontal sprawl as peaks of another vertical topography.
The aim of the study is to question the status quo of urbanization in Attica and to trigger speculations and proposals on the conditions and potentialities for new, vertical dynamics.
Athens, Greece
2006
text
Athens during the 20th century, developed as a low-rise city and, later, Attica as a low-rise conurbation. The restrictive height limitation for all new buildings, combined with inefficient planning provisions has been significant to the Greek urban landscape, with its lack of landmark locations, limited open space, costly and inefficient infrastructure, environmental degradation and ever increasing distances in terms of both space and time. Within this ever expanding solid mat of the Attica urbanization, a distinct metropolitan character and an urban topography studded with landmarks are sought after.
The imminent ‘post-Olympics’ expansion of Attica puts its urban processes into question. The new developmental and commercial needs, the urban intensity as generated by its present density, and the city’s cultural past and potential, have to affect its practices of urbanization. After the protection of heritage and natural sites has been secured, the introduction of tall buildings in selected locations can stimulate new development and release new open spaces. This will project the horizontal sprawl as peaks of another vertical topography.
The aim of the study is to question the status quo of urbanization in Attica and to trigger speculations and proposals on the conditions and potentialities for new, vertical dynamics.
credits
| project description | Research on the Urban Development of Attika, Greece |
| location | Attika, Greece |
| design team | Stephan Buerger, Demetra Katsota, Tasos Govatsos |
| links | www.athens9.net |