The Squares of Athens: The Past and the New Planning Challenges

Abstract

The squares of Athens have gone through a very special trajectory, in parallel with the equally special trajectory of the city’s history. From the initial concept of symbolic building in order to express the new role of the city, passed to the utility design coupled with a certain perplexity, and then to the mature modern era of architectural competitions and optimism. The pursuance of green followed as a reflection of the early sustainability challenges. Today we are in a peculiar postmodern phase of diverse legitimation and frequently pointless interventions. In an era where the city beautiful concept is challenged, such interventions of debatable architectural and urban design quality forms are the last elements required at the moment when a wave of contemporary urban outcasts has appeared and is conquering public space. This paper attempts to examine the design of the Greek capital, through time, and take a stance in today’s challenges facing the problems of the planning of the city per se part of which are the squares with whatever these might mean today.