Description:
The Plaka district is an extensive monumental record of the civilisation and history of Athens, and therefore it has an extensive monumental interest whilst, at the same time, continuing to be inhabited, forming a lively and popular part of modern Athens. After 1950 a building boom overcame Athens. The result: increase in motor traffic, dislocation of the social structure of the district - inhabitants left, artisan and handicrafts workshops and taverns dissapeared. A complex preservation and rehabilitation project was started in 1973. Measures adopted and implemented included pedestrianisation of the district, whilst the network of services was placed underground. The original character of the quarter was restored by repaving streets and pavements, the replacement of streetlights by replicas of the old lamps. All public inscriptions and advertisements were subject to strict regulations. One of the main factors of the success of the project was the active participation of the inhabitants of Plaka, now living in a renovated and revitalised quarter.