“I was young and old. As many years as I’ve dealt with this Vasilisis Olgaothers worked wonders. I hope the project will be implemented, that’s all.” With these words, the architect Yorgos Proveleggios welcomes the announcement of the commencement of work on the reconstruction of Vasilisi Olgas Avenue with the signing of an agreement between Municipality of Athensthrough an operator “Revival of Athens S.A.”and the contracting company, which was the result of an open tender.

OUR Vasilisis pedestrian street Olgas avenue this was included in the original plan for the unification of the archaeological sites, however this did not materialize in the end. Then it was planned to do it together with Dionysius the Areopagite, as part of their projects. Olympic Games, but there are rumors that the then president of the Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, asked not to take a walk so that there would be an emergency exit from the Zappeion in the event of a terrorist attack. True or urban myth, but the project is back again.

Meanwhile, in the coming years, ascending and descending tram lines will now pass behind the carriages from Vasilisi Olgas Avenue. The boulevard regeneration study was updated in 2011 with the addition of another “line” for the passage of a trolley bus within the framework of EAXA – Unification of Archaeological Sites SA from the Office of Architectural and Urban Studies “Giorgos Proveledjou, Niovi Proveledjou and partners E.E.” However, at the time of the signing of the memorandums, EAHA was dissolved and Vassilissis Olgas Avenue remained a highway.

“In 2020, the Mayor of Athens invited us Kostas Bakoyannis and asked us if we would like to update the study,” – says Mr. Giorgos Proveleggios “K”.. Existing use cases will remain.

• Upper and lower tram lines from and to Syntagma. The runway will also be used for the entry and exit of EIX vehicles to and from the Tennis Club and for public utility vehicles.

• One ascending trolleybus lane from Pagrati to Syntagma.

A 26-year-old plan and rumors of Jacques Rog’s “brakes” – In 12 months, the completion of the project, according to Mr. Bakoyannis.

• One entry lane EIX cars to the Aigli parking lot in Zappeio. Their exit will be from a small alley located at the southeast end of the Phokianos Gym.

• The tram stop in the direction of Syntagma, located on Ardittos Avenue, will be moved to the pedestrian street of Vasilissis Olgas Avenue, opposite the stop in the opposite direction, in front of the entrance to the National Gymnastics Association. One of the two stops of the ascending trolleybus lane is located at the level of the tram stop in order to provide a transfer between the two facilities. The second stop of the trolleybus will be located opposite the entrance to the archaeological site of Olympia.

According to the statement of Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis, in 12 months Vasilisi Olgas Avenue will become a well-maintained pedestrian street. “After 26 years, a breathtaking project for the city is becoming a reality,” said the Managing Director of Anaplasi Athens S.A. Chronic Acritides.

When developing the project, the architects tried to “break the feel of the corridor and make it look like a continuation of the Zappeion”. Two sections of the avenue, which will become pedestrian, will be paved with slate slabs 5 cm thick in the Byzantine style. Cobblestones will be installed on the tram tracks so that cars cannot pass on them. For the same reason, the Constitution provides for a ban on left turns.

More than 150 large trees and 8500 shrubs in an attempt to thicken existing vegetation as well as hide areas that are currently bare. The illumination to be installed is the same as that of Dionysius the Areopagite, for unity reasons.

The project schedule will be respected until the antiquities are discovered during the work, in which case the result will be archaeological work. “Obviously, something like this will affect the progress of the work,” explains the mayor of Athens.

POINT OF VIEW

To make citizens feel welcome

Nikos Vatopoulos

The redevelopment of Vasilisi Olgas Avenue raises a number of interesting questions. First, it strongly highlights the problem of IX’s declining circulation (and visibility) in the historic center, a condition that lies at the heart of the international agenda for sustainable urban development. Second, it reinforces the culture of enjoying the city as an individual or collective experience as a citizen’s right. Third, he presents the element of flora as central to the philosophy of understanding the urban landscape. Fourthly, it integrates the historical relief of the city into a continuous, modular integration of the ancient heritage (Pillars of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Gate), the urban revolution of the 19th century (Zappio, the Panathenaic stadium) and the natural landscape (Ardittos). . And fifth, it reminds us that Athens needs a continuous production of ideas and new research.

In all other respects, the positive configuration of Vasilissis Olgas Avenue in the pedestrian zone is associated with the production of thought and work in the pre-Olympic period. The plans of the Society for the Association of Archaeological Monuments (EAHA), which bequeathed to us the creation of the most beautiful embankment in Athens, to Dionysios the Areopagite and the Apostle Paul, also included Vasilisis Olga. Reheating the design is understandable, as is updating it, but again it raises two questions. Can’t our own era spark exploration and rally young urban planners and architects to contribute to the city of tomorrow? And besides, was it a mistake to abolish EASO in 2014 and fire its leaders? Wouldn’t it be better to continue this accumulated knowledge and experience to benefit the city through a public-private partnership in an ongoing relationship with Athens and the needs of its citizens?

However, be that as it may, the new Vasilisis Olga, in the form in which she was delivered, should attract walkers. Citizens and guests must somehow feel welcome and safe, day and night. This will be a bet that we hope will be won.