The case study of Panepistimiou Street in Athens
Anastasia Chranioti
Mentors
Vincent Nadin (TUDelft) – Daan Zandbelt (TUDelft) – Bernardo Secchi (IUAV)
The diploma thesis suggests a regeneration strategy for the city centre of Athens, Greece, as an alternative proposal to the architectural competition that took place in 2012 entitled “Rethink Athens”.
The thesis, taking a critical position towards the fragmented practices of urban regeneration in Athens, constructs a coordinated and “strategic” way of city intervention.
What if, instead of designing the central public space, which is the street, we reinforce the systems that support the “main event” which are found in the surrounding empty spaces and missing connections with dispersed centralities of leisure, commerce, education and offices?
In this frame, a new institution is formed that is expected to guide and monitor the process: the “Friends of Panepistimiou Street” consultancy group provides an arena for the diverse stakeholders to come together towards a shared vision. Finally, the plan is introducing a new street profile for Panepistimiou reinforcing the street’s function as an “urban boulevard”. Facilitating the role of pedestrian flows through reducing the traffic lanes, the street is envisioned as an element of cohesion among citizens, visitors, and entrepreneurs.
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