Former refugee settlement to grow into Athens’ new green lung

After decades of legal disputes, the Greek capital has finally managed to secure the land and make use of it as it sees fit

Following decades of legal battles, the municipality of Athens has finally managed to wrestle control of some six acres of free common space in the "Koundouriotika" of Ampelokipi. These are plots of the former refugee settlement which have had dubious ownership for more than a century.

By decision of the Supreme Court, adopted earlier last week, the Municipality of Athens was recognized as land’s owner and the municipal authority proceeded to recover it, thus paving the way for the creation of another free space for recreation, sports and other activities.

Making use of all possible spaces

The land secured by local authorities in the Greek capital will connect the emblematic hill of Lycabettus - which will be completely rehabilitated - with the interventions promoted in the framework of the massive Double Regeneration project.

Once the municipality started moving in, this large area behind the "Apostolos Nikolaidis" stadium was already in a state of advanced abandonment, with damaged facilities and stumps covered with garbage, which endangered the public health of the residents of the area.

Crews sent out by the local government have already carried out days massive and large-scale cleaning-disinfection, pruning, landscaping, fencing and signalling of the area. Thanks to these interventions, this very large area has once again become safe and clean and has become a part of the overall planning of renovations of the Municipality of Athens, which aim to create socially beneficial infrastructure which will greatly change the image of the city – something that is perfectly in line with the overarching goals of the Double Regeneration Project which will see the Greek capital fundamentally change for the better.