Issues on urban design of public space: social and spatial identifications in the case of 4 central squares in Athens

Abstract

Being part of a wider research project conducted by the National Centre for Social Research, the paper focuses on the study of four central squares in Athens (Omonoia, Kotzia, Varvakeios and Monastiraki), which have been redesigned in the period 1990s-2000s. The paper presents, evaluates, and discuss the social and spatial impact of these projects on urban sustainability. The research methodology was based on: the identification of the socio-demographic profile of the surrounding area to assess the integration of urban design interventions in the local social tissue, the analysis of land use changes and economic activities adaptation before and after the interventions, empirical findings of a quantitative survey based on a questionnaire addressed to professionals established in the four squares areas, and the analysis of the political and scientific discourse with regard to the redevelopment projects. The paper points out some important factors that prevented the wider area regeneration and undermined the goals and expected outcomes of the urban design projects and, in general, the urban sustainability of the area.