ATHENS MUNICIPALITY MOVING AHEAD WITH CITY UPGRADE PROJECTS
Bakoyannis said efforts were also being made to save the city’s last remaining mulberry trees in the largest ever urban revamp the program to take place in the Greek capital in the last decades. The mayor admitted that more than 1,300 trees have been lost in Athens or 1.5 per cent of the city’s trees reaching 30 per cent in some neighbourhoods. With regards to Syntagma Square, Bakoyannis said the last finishing touches were being made, including shade infrastructure, landscaping and fountains. Lastly, the mayor referred to several other ongoing projects including the creation of new public spaces, the revamp of Lycabettus Hill and of the National Garden and the repair of dozens of playgrounds and courts.
“We currently have 85 playgrounds in Athens. We’ve upgraded about 20, and we’re moving on to another 15 in the near future. We’re also upgrading neighbourhood courts. Of the city’s 115 playgrounds, we’ve repaired 25, and are now moving ahead to 80 more. We’ve also finished a network of 10 ‘pocket parks’ and are continuing,” said Bakoyiannis, adding that it was time residents observed the change taking place around them.