Athens

Building Blocks of Empire

We explore the concept of urbanization by researching the foundation of city-states and the methods used for their establishment.
We re-create routes of procession in, about, and out of the administrative center and visit strategic trading and military posts built to facilitate the exercise of control over a city-state’s contiguous territory.

Athens was once a highly influential Imperial Power, exerting undisputed dominance over land and sea for many centuries. The capital of modern-day Greece, Athens exhibits all typical traits of a sprawling metropolis and can easily confound an unsuspecting visitor. Approach is possible by land via the National highways, by sea via the port of Piraeus, or by air via the El. Venizelos international Airport. Once there, access to a number of public transportation is available, if use of a private vehicle cannot be secured.

Although most visitors do not spend many days exploring Athens, there are still plenty hidden treasures to unearth and admire.

Theoretical Preparation

The goal from the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development best suited to describe our intentions for this specific program is:

Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

It is futile to think that a clean slate policy for existing cities and settlements can be effected to this end. In our opinion, a ground-up reorganization is better suited for this task. As is clarified in the 11.3 Sub-goal of the Agenda, the implementation of novel ways to go about governing the polis is actually a matter of citizen participation and active involvement:

“By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries”.

In our opinion – if we are to paraphrase the above quotation – key to a better life in an urban environment is finding ways to enhance the capacity for participatory planning and management.

Wishful thinking, grandiose plans and outdated policies have nothing to offer and, if anything, exacerbate the existing problems. As once in the past, it is the duty of each citizen to consciously strive for the betterment of the community while operating with an informed mindset.

The feeling of being alienated and out of place is something most big city denizens have come to expect on their day-to-day dealings with each other.

We find it helpful to remind ourselves periodically that this was not always so.

Theoretical Preparation

The goal from the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development best suited to describe our intentions for this specific program is:

Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

It is futile to think that a clean slate policy for existing cities and settlements can be effected to this end. In our opinion, a ground-up reorganization is better suited for this task. As is clarified in the 11.3 Sub-goal of the Agenda, the implementation of novel ways to go about governing the polis is actually a matter of citizen participation and active involvement:

“By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries”.

In our opinion – if we are to paraphrase the above quotation – key to a better life in an urban environment is finding ways to enhance the capacity for participatory planning and management.

Wishful thinking, grandiose plans and outdated policies have nothing to offer and, if anything, exacerbate the existing problems. As once in the past, it is the duty of each citizen to consciously strive for the betterment of the community while operating with an informed mindset.

The feeling of being alienated and out of place is something most big city denizens have come to expect on their day-to-day dealings with each other.

We find it helpful to remind ourselves periodically that this was not always so.

Field Research

The easiest way to navigate Athens is by the metro. The trains are on time which is important if there is a tight time-schedule to keep, and the stations are positioned correctly in relation to the sights available for visits. There are also buses that run to the late hours and a limited tram network which connects the city center with the areas towards Pireaus for those hard to reach places.

Athens is a big and busy city of the 21st Century; confusing and hard to like. Heavy traffic during working hours can be especially taxing and the urban soundtrack on repeat is not to everyone’s liking.
Do not let this discourage you; given time and good company, Athens can still grow on you.

Athens Under Construction
Click for Map Under Construction

Between the Hills of the Nymphs and the Muses, Athenian citizens gathered at Pnyx and spoke out. The issues discussed varied, and decisions were reached by vote. Democracy, an unfamiliar concept until then, began to take hold.

Several governmental attempts have been made to highlight this particular area. Τhe National Observatory of Athens offers tours and educational programs of high educational value, while other instalations – like the Dora Stratou Theatre – are left to decay in isolation. All in all, official channels have yet to succeed in restoring Filopappou to its former glory.

A thorough exploration of the site is essential for anyone close to the vicinity. Without a doubt, this is one of Athens’ most thought provoking locations. A must see.

Click for Gallery
General Info

The easiest way to navigate Athens is by the metro. The trains are on time which is important if there is a tight time-schedule to keep, and the stations are positioned correctly in relation to the sights available for visits. There are also buses that run to the late hours and a limited tram network which connects the city center with the areas towards Pireaus for those hard to reach places.

Athens is a big and busy city of the 21st Century; confusing and hard to like. Heavy traffic during working hours can be especially taxing and the urban soundtrack on repeat is not to everyone’s liking.
Do not let this discourage you; given time and good company, Athens can still grow on you.

Athens Under Construction
Click for Map Under Construction
Filopappou Hill

Between the Hills of the Nymphs and the Muses, Athenian citizens gathered at Pnyx and spoke out. The issues discussed varied, and decisions were reached by vote. Democracy, an unfamiliar concept until then, began to take hold.

Several governmental attempts have been made to highlight this particular area. Τhe National Observatory of Athens offers tours and educational programs of high educational value, while other instalations – like the Dora Stratou Theatre – are left to decay in isolation. All in all, official channels have yet to succeed in restoring Filopappou to its former glory.

A thorough exploration of the site is essential for anyone close to the vicinity. Without a doubt, this is one of Athens’ most thought provoking locations. A must see.

Click for Gallery

Field Research

The easiest way to navigate Athens is by the metro. The trains are on time which is important if there is a tight time-schedule to keep, and the stations are positioned correctly in relation to the sights available for visits.

Athens is a big and busy city of the 21st Century; confusing and hard to like.
Do not let this discourage you; given time and good company, Athens can still grow on you.

Click for Map Under Construction
Athens Under Construction

Between the Hills of the Nymphs and the Muses, Athenian citizens gathered at Pnyx and spoke out. The issues discussed varied, and decisions were reached by vote. Democracy, an unfamiliar concept until then, began to take hold.

A thorough exploration of the site is essential for anyone close to the vicinity. Without a doubt, this is one of Athens’ most thought provoking locations.

A must see.

Click for Gallery
General Info

The easiest way to navigate Athens is by the metro. The trains are on time which is important if there is a tight time-schedule to keep, and the stations are positioned correctly in relation to the sights available for visits.

Athens is a big and busy city of the 21st Century; confusing and hard to like.
Do not let this discourage you; given time and good company, Athens can still grow on you.

Click for Map Under Construction
Athens Under Construction
Filopappou Hill

Between the Hills of the Nymphs and the Muses, Athenian citizens gathered at Pnyx and spoke out. The issues discussed varied, and decisions were reached by vote. Democracy, an unfamiliar concept until then, began to take hold.

A thorough exploration of the site is essential for anyone close to the vicinity. Without a doubt, this is one of Athens’ most thought provoking locations.

A must see.

Click for Gallery

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