Project Title: Reformation of the Historical Centre of the City

Description: The reformation of the historical centre of city was a result mainly of the devastating earthquake of 6,2 that affected Aeghio in 15/6/1995. Unfortunately eight years passed in order to begin the studies (circulatory, land-planning, architecture, infrastructure of networks etc.)

The total budget of the project, taxes included is 3.500.000 € and it includes the intervention in 1.500 metres of streets that cover a surface of 12.500 square metres in the historical centre of Aeghio that is also the most commercial part of city.

From the total length, 700 metres become pedestrian street while on the remaining 800 metres, the pavements are broadened and there will be only a band of circulation for the cars.

Objectives:

      The improvement of urban space in level of infrastructures

      The partial solving of the circulatory problem

       The city centre to become more attractive for the residents and also the visitors

      To increase the marketability of the local market, so that the city market can keep the resident shoppers in its own market so they will not go to the near and bigger market of the city of Patras (40 kilometres distance city of 200.000 residents)

      To increase the tourist attraction and also make the city more attractive for  the residents of the capital

Process/Stages: On going process. The studies were completed in June 2005 and they were approved unanimously by the City Municipal Council and the project was auctioned after the relevant approvals on the 28/11/2005, while in a short period of time the project is expected to begin.

Outcomes/Results:

With the implementation of the above project, it is calculated that apart from the aesthetic results (the underground placement of the cables with new modern materials etc), the improvement of circulation of the cars and mainly the pedestrians, the change of networks of infrastructure that is manufactured at least 70 years ago, it will contribute in the increase of marketability of shops, it will develop the centre of the city, it will improve the quality of life for the local residents while with the remaining projects that will be materialised (restoration of preservable buildings Panagiotopoulos and Gation, a festival theatre in the Cultural Centre, lighting of beach and Rock area) they will contribute to the increase of visitors in the city and finally touristic growth of the city of Aegion.

Learning Points:

The planning of the town’s lay out has already been finished and is not susceptible of big interventions. For the reformation of already existing communal spaces they can advance work of reformation. The existing problem is located in the intervention of the state and in the aspects of buildings because there is not a relative legislation that allows it. So except the state, the municipality had also to face the intervention area’s residents since there were problems concerning

      The dangers for the local city’s centre shop owners not to accept

      The new form of the city and the difficulties that will be created (difficult supply of merchandises, difficult use of private cars and more walking for the pedestrians).

Since the reformation plan was voted for and approved, we hope that finally everyone who protested against it will realise that in the long term it will improve the quality of their lives.