Demolitions of interwar buildings altering city character

The demolition of one- and two-story historical houses from the interwar period in Athens' old districts, such as Agios Nikolaos Street in Koukaki, in the center of the capital, is taking on worrying proportions. The reason is the possibility provided by new building regulations allowing greater heights and covering plots in narrow streets. As a result, quaint streets in historic neighborhoods of Athens are being blighted by the demolition of old abandoned houses. Recently, the Hellenic Society for Environment and Culture (ELLET) also issued a statement titled "No more demolitions of remarkable buildings in Athens." [Nikos Vatopoulos]