The former international airport of Hellinikon is located in the southern coastal zone of Attica and was in operation till 2001. The idea of creating a metropolitan park in the area was first initiated in 1995 , following the ratification of the contract for the construction and operation of the new airport at Spata in eastern Attica (El. Venizelos). In 1996 a research project for the creation of the park started. Although, it was never completed, as in 1997 Greece undertook the organization of Olympic Games and several sport facilities were created there. Although, all government responsible declared that the buildings were provisional and the area would be a park. Nevertheless, in December 2003, the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Public Works (now renamed to Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change (YPEKA)) launched an international architectural competition for the creation of a metropolitan park as well as the development of the area, comprising business buildings, residences, restaurants, etc. In 2007 the Minister presented a proposal for the area with business buildings, malls and residences of 130 HA. |
In March 2011 was created the movement named "Struggle Committee for the Metropolitan Park" fighting for the creation of a metropolitan park following the ratification of the contract of the new airport at Spata in eastern Attica
| Name of conflict: | The former airport of Hellinikon and the coastal front of Ag.Kosmas, Greece |
| Country: | Greece |
| State or province: | Region of Attica |
| Location of conflict: | Municipality of Hellinikon-Argyroupolis |
| Accuracy of location | MEDIUM (Regional level) |
| Type of conflict. 1st level: | Infrastructure and Built Environment |
| Type of conflict. 2nd level: | Urban development conflicts Tourism facilities (ski resorts, hotels, marinas) Wetlands and coastal zone management Land acquisition conflicts |
| Specific commodities: | Land Tourism services Urban open spaces; Green urban spaces |
| Project details | 370 ΗΑ of new constructions (hotels, golf courses, shopping malls, marinas, theme parks, museums, casinos, offices, thousands of luxurious residences); demolition of more than 36 HA of buildings in the site, which are either currently used or can be reused in the future; 200 HA of park; construction of large-scale infrastructure projects, such as urban highways and electrical power stations [14, 15] |
| Project area: | 530 hectares (the total area of the former Airport) 97,6 hectares (urban waterfront) [1] |
| Level of Investment for the conflictive project | 8,7 billion $ estimated level of investment according to the company [14] 1,1 million $ is the amount the company gave for exploiting the area for 99 years [16] |
| Type of population | Urban |
| Affected Population: | 51,356 (Municipality of Hellinikon-Argyroupoli) 3,812,330 (Region of Attica) |
| Start of the conflict: | 18/01/2008 |
| Company names or state enterprises: | LAMDA Development S.A. (LAMDA Development ) from Greece - Investor |
| Relevant government actors: | Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (TAIPED); HELLINIKON S.A.; Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks |
| Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | 5 civil society movements for the protection of the environment in Attica region; 31 organizations and civil society movements from all over Greece; 36 municipal parties; 5 political parties and organizations. For the full list please visit: http://parkoellinikou.blogspot.gr/2011/03/hellinikon-airport-is-not-for-sale.html#more (in Greek) Members from the International Union of Architects as well as international organizations. For the full list please visit: http://parkoellinikou.blogspot.gr/2014/03/blog-post_20.html |
| Intensity | MEDIUM (street protests, visible mobilization) |
| Reaction stage | PREVENTIVE resistance (precautionary phase) |
| Groups mobilizing: | Local ejos Local government/political parties Neighbours/citizens/communities Social movements Local scientists/professionals |
| Forms of mobilization: | Blockades Creation of alternative reports/knowledge Development of a network/collective action Development of alternative proposals Involvement of national and international NGOs Land occupation Lawsuits, court cases, judicial activism Media based activism/alternative media Official complaint letters and petitions Public campaigns Street protest/marches |
| Environmental Impacts | Potential: Air pollution, Floods (river, coastal, mudflow), Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Noise pollution, Soil erosion |
| Socio-economical Impacts | Visible: Increase in Corruption/Co-optation of different actors, Lack of work security, labour absenteeism, firings, unemployment, Land dispossession, Loss of landscape/sense of place Potential: Displacement, Loss of livelihood |
| Project Status | Planned (decision to go ahead eg EIA undertaken, etc) |
| Conflict outcome / response: | Corruption Land demarcation Court decision (undecided) Negotiated alternative solution Strengthening of participation |
| Proposal and development of alternatives: | The research project “Basic plan principles for a Metropolitan Park at the former airport of Hellinikon” elaborated by the Urban Environment Laboratory of the School of Architecture of the National Technical University of Athens, foresees the creation of 599.5 ha of open green spaces and the reuse of 241 out of 480 existing buildings (e.g. 36.6 ha out of 49.1 ha of existing buildings). In addition to this, no more buildings are permitted and the park will be in direct connection with the coastal zone. The basic principles of the project are the upgrade and extension of the network of open public spaces and green spaces across Attica and the creation of new ones, the reuse of the existing buildings and the creation of a metropolitan cultural, recreational, educational and research facilities center, accessible to all the inhabitants and visitors of Attica, the protection of antiquities, monuments and buildings of special architectural or historical importance, etc. The goal is also to create an indispensable ecological unit by connecting Imittos Mountain and the waterfront of Saronikos [17, 18]. Actually, several activities and civil society organizations are hosted in the existing premises, such as the Metropolitan Community Clinic. It provides free primary medical care and medication to all uninsured, unemployed and needy patients regardless of who they are or where they come from. It’s a volunteer run community clinic that started in 2011. Today more than 200 volunteers participate, including doctors, dentists, pharmacists, therapists and support staff. More than 100 patients are treated per day. Moreover, MCCH provides psychological support to the unemployed, as well as baby food and other basic baby needs, all free of charge. All medicine and various items are donations from fellow citizens with the urge to stand by those in need during the economic crisis that we are all going through. [19] Furthermore, in the area of the former airport the “Self-managed farm of Hellinikο" is located. Basic principle of the community is the alternative, social and solidarity economy. The farm has been created by a group of citizens as a collective effort against the financial crisis. In addition, the group took the initiative for the creation of an olive grow and several voluntary tree plantings have already taken place with the participation of many citizens from the wider area of Attica [20]. |
| Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | Not Sure |
| Briefly explain: | Although the contract of the sell-out of the former airport to Lamda Development is signed, the contract is not yet ratified by the Greek parliament and no works have taken place yet. Furthermore, the ruling from the Court of Auditors is expected (the hearing took place in January 7th, 2015). There is a strong opposition, as the processes followed are very problematic and unclear and the overall procedure has many elements of corruption [16, 21]. The Struggle Committee for the Metropolitan Park, as well as other initiatives and groups active in the area of the former airport continue their activities and the struggle for the creation of a park, as this is vital for the densely populated area of Attica. |
| Juridical relevant texts related to the conflict (laws, legislations, EIAs, etc) |
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| Contributor: | Ermioni Frezouli, Geography Department - Harokopio University Athens (HUA). |
| Last update | 18/08/2019 |
| Conflict ID: | 1729 |