From decay to normality

Athens has been allowed to fall into such a state of disrepair that minor corrections longer suffice to disguise the lengthy neglect of the city and its infrastructure. The city has been suffering for a long time, partly due to the protracted economic crisis, and it is often hard to believe it is a European capital.
The city's problems are well-documented: the lack of cleanliness, which is evident even in central areas with major tourist attractions; inadequate and poor lighting; broken sidewalks, including in streets with high-end stores and parts that receive a lot of foot traffic; and damage to road surfaces, including big potholes that require drivers to perform evasive maneuvers.
The rapid decline of entire neighborhoods in the center which have been abandoned by those who worked or lived there has led to a rise in lawlessness and crime. The old buildings, left to...