Of course many other projects which could contribute to a more human city were not implemented, since most resources were directed towards the road projects. For instance, there were some thoughts to improve this spot right outside Piraeus metro station...
These people waiting in the bus stop are supposed to have a "sidewalk" at their disposal
Unfortunately nothing has happened because the administration concentrated most of its efforts to motorised traffic or single-use projects. So, nowadays if you try to cross this street...
Car and motorcycle convenience, as everywhere in this country, have priority over travelers and humans
...on your way to the ships for the greek islands, you have to cross this busy street through often blocked pedestrian crosings...
This policeman calmly observes the cars blocking the pedestrian crossing
...with the police wholeheartedly supporting your chasing by cars and motorcycles.
Cars, motorycles (in addition to the poles and boards) on the opposite "sidewalk" - the police remains as always cool
Another negative impact of the olympic games was the building of many of the last free spaces in the city. Green spaces lack badly in Athens, because only 2-3 m2 of such spaces correspond to each inhabitant, instead of 20-30 m2, which are considered as a satisfactory proportion.
A see of parking and motorway asphalt and ugly concrete and metal constructions in place of greenery around the olympic stadium
For the security of the games a costly street cameras system was installed all over the city, although it raised concerns about privacy violations. The government claims that these cameras could be used for traffic control reasons after the games period, an allegation considered by some people as just a pretext.
These cameras on Mavromikhali Street watch carefully the mass violation of the pedestrian rights from motorcycles illegally parked on the sidewalk – a police precinct is just around the corner but the police don’t intervene
Certainly the safety of pedestrians from their rights illegal violations has not been enhanced.
After the games the usual situation returned outside Panelinios sport club installations. These installations are illegally built inside a park because, as many protesting local inhabitant believe, the corrupt administration backs powerful owners of the club. Note that this sidewalk serves also as an interurban bus station. The one functioning a few metres away, till some months before the games, is converted into another underground garage!
A huge programme to turn the squares and free spaces of Athens into underground garages has been accelerated on the occasion of the olympic games. These garages, in addition to attract more traffic (the reason traffic engineers condemn them), downgrade further the pedestrian environment by the surface structures and the irreparable destruction of the deep roots of trees.
The new configuration of Kaningos square contains less trees and greenery, bulky surface structures for the service of the underground garage and offers one additional lane to the motorised traffic
The administration predicates that these garages will limit the illegal car parking. Unfortunately, the grim reality contradicts them spectacularly.
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These pictures are taken a usual day a few metres from the new Kaningos Square underground garage
The central fruit market is one of the many refurbished buildings on the occasion of the olympic games. After the olympics cars invaded even on the cafe built on top of the square, although a garage is right under this square and the municipal police resides next block
