Regeneration and enhancement of the old railway station surrounding area at Megara Athens, Greece

Abstract

The inoperative railway stations in Greece, which are scattered throughout the country, are buildings that demonstrate in a remarkable way the modern history of Greece and constitute pieces of contemporary cultural heritage. Megara railway station was built in 1886 as an intermediate station beyond Elefsina, of the extension of the railway that connected Piraeus and Athens with the rest of Southern Greece and played an important role in trade and transportation until 2005 when it was closed down. The old Megara Railway Station is surrounded by an area of 13.000 m2 and is located at the city center nearby the urban square, which is considered to be the location of the ancient temple of Apollo. The aim of this study is the redevelopment and the enhancement of this area, so that it integrates with the life of the modern city. Upon mapping the respective area and registering the vegetation, which is randomly scattered, it is proposed to strengthen the existing vegetation with the intention to create a linear park. The design and selection of the plant material took into account the historicity of the location, mostly choosing indigenous species and plants related to the ancient era. By using the particular species, it is also proposed to create an archaeological park, so that the historicity of the area is emphasized and revived. In addition, it is proposed to exploit the building of the railway station to create an historical thematic museum and the existing old train wagons, which can be restored, to be used as museum exhibits, integrated in an outdoor thematic museum with the purpose to revive the area, which is currently abandoned.