A vision for Athens

One of the big open questions about the future of Athens is whether and to what extent the disjointed investment plans in the city center will succeed. And to what extent their added value will contribute to the sought-after improvement of the urban environment. In particular, the area from pedestrianized Korai Street to the National Archaeological Museum, which is especially run-down and vulnerable to unpredictable factors, is witnessing an impressive concentration of investment in buildings constructed in the period from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century.

Wrapped in scaffolding are some of the old listed buildings on Panepistimiou and Stadiou streets: the Arsakeio Arcade, the Schliemann-Mela Mansion, which used to house the Ideal cinema (I hope that its restoration will follow the original plan of German architect Ernst Ziller) and the imposing neoclassical...