Uploaded on 2015-06-15 by DDS3

(I think that there is no meaning to talk about unknown cities. So I ‘m going to show just two European cities that I have visited and three Greek cities for which I can say that it happens to know them satisfactory...) Two world cities: London, Paris and three Greek cities: Nayplio, Thessaloniki, Athens The different ranking of London and Paris is mainly caused because of the multicultural character of the city of London. Many of the other facts are similar or close. Of course both cities have a strong character of their own. But it seems that London has become an international city, more easy for foreigners while it is still valuable for the Londoners. In this way it is a pot for ideas, cultures relations etc. Step 2: Describe in your own words five characteristics that according to your opinion make a city livable. Order them placing the most important at the top of the list. Human scale Infrastructure Public spaces The possibility of moving around on foot and generally using environmental friendly ways (e.g bicycle) Views, quietness, clean air, safe environment Following are some thoughts and explanations for the above in accordance mainly with the Greek cities. ![The Three Admirals’ Square - photograph from the official site of the municipality of Nafplio ][1] All of the previous consist on the same time the reason of the Greek cities ranking that I have mentioned on the first step. The 20th century started with a country where the human scale of things was obvious, in villages and towns and cities. In the islands and the inland. And at the end of the 20th century this was unknown for the Greek human-made environment. The 21st century is even worse: we have lost the human scale in our society (and this is the reason of the so called financial crisis). Infrastructure is one of the biggest problems of the country. So as the size of a city becomes bigger the some happens to the problem and effectiveness of infrastructure. Public spaces are the great absence of Greek cities. Athens is one of the worst cities in the world. It has one of the smallest per capita green for its citizens. Parks, squares, plazas, seasides etc are rare and they become rearer because of poor land and spatial planning, the love for buildings and private ownership, privatization and the big malls etc. It is difficult and sometimes dangerous to walk or use a bicycle. Of course you can do it and sometimes and in some cases everything is fine or even beautiful. But generally speaking two big transformations have happened in the Greek cities: a) One caused because of a flood of buildings in every free space and piece of land. b) The second one is the fact that all the cities seem to consider that the cars are the most important thing in the city life. So cars are everywhere and there is an equation that the existence of cars is necessary for the development and a the high standard of living. The last characteristic may be called the relation of the city with the environment. This is the characteristic that can give a different way of living. A more healthy, a more pleasant and on the same time sustainable way of living. Generally you can’t find it in overpopulated places or near the centers of big cities. But this is what it must become the first aim and the central purpose of the development and planning of future cities. Step 3: Describe the status of your own city in terms of the five characteristics that you listed above. Propose how your city should/could be transformed in relation to these characteristics in order to be more sustainable. (Chalkis-Evia-Greece) ![aerial view of Chalkis with the important-historical buildings of the city in the central part of it][2] from https://dimotikiagorahalkidas.wordpress.com Human scale Unfortunately almost everything is destroyed. Big blocks of flats, small roads, no sun or fresh air even in areas which are near the sea. Infrastructure Everything is there. But in a confusing and expensive way. One day the electricity company comes and digs the road, the next week the municipality repairs it and some days later the water company, or somebody for the natural gas company or for the telephone company etc digs again. Public spaces Its the last priority in Greek cities and in my city. The possibility of moving around on foot and generally using environmental friendly ways (e.g bicycle) Extremely difficult, almost impossible in a civilized way. Views, quietness, clean air, safe environment Views: very expensive and around the high society neighborhoods. Luckily the nights are quiet and many roads even in the center area. The transformation of the city is difficult. But just as a romantic proposal lets say that the following could help for a better future. The prohibition of new buildings for a period of time. The planning and construction of some main roads capable for the amount of cars that move in the city. The strengthening of public transportation. A serious try of making the cars unnecessary or expensive for moving on the center of the city. On the some time it must become easy and attractive the life for the pedestrian. The reconstruction and reuse of historical buildings or of the buildings with an important architectural value. The increase of the green areas in and around the city. The separation of the parts which are for residence, financial development or industry. Another thing is that the big industries (shipyards, cement factory, chemicals factory) have to go away from the city, at least 10-15 kilometers away. And there must be found a new place for the commercial port of the city. Last but not least. This is an historic city. The one that transported the Greek alphabet to South Italy, and from that alphabet the Latin one was born. On the medieval times, under the name of Negroponte it was one of the important cities and well known all around Europe. The city must reunite itself with its past in a decent way and work for its future as a place belonging to a society and not only individuals. [1]: http://www.nafplio.gr/images/stories/axiotheata/simeia_endiaf/se103.jpg [2]: https://dimotikiagorahalkidas.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/diatiritea-xalkida-aerof-bingceb4ceb9cebfcf81ceb82.jpg [3]: https://dimotikiagorahalkidas.wordpress.com