Transformation in the Wider Industrial Coastal Region of Saint George, Western of Piraeus Port in Athens

Abstract

The industrialization of Greece began in the cities -ports, and not in the countryside, based on the sea exploitation, since the main means of transportation was the ship, which strengthened the working class and imposed until 1922, the creation of industrial settlements areas near Athens and Piraeus. Moreover, in the late 19th century, the coastal area west of Piraeus, is one of the most important landmarks in the wider industrial zone of the port, where a large number of investors invade the area. The industrial character of the coastal zone of Saint George in Piraeus is significantly strengthened by the installation of Saint George’s Power Plant in Keratsini, a colossal project for Greek data. Towards the end of the 20th century, in the 1980s, the factories that constituted the heavy industry in the areas west of the port of Piraeus gradually began to close due to the reactions of the residents to the pollution, which caused, but also to the general need of the wider Athens area, to get rid of polluting factories. The goal of this presentation is to examine in which way this coastal region, which in the past was a major industrial area, is currently inactive industrially and as a result, most industrial buildings have been demolished and have significant environmental degradation problems, will be upgraded with the guarantee of high quality environment and infrastructure, main functions, as well as a recreational ride to the sea front. In the frame of the redevelopment of the degraded area, many studies were carried out by various architectural offices, where the area was considered to be suitable for a maritime center, with the creation of offices, residences, entertainment and cultural centers, commercial shops, hotels, etc. The formerly industrial coastal zone in the west of Piraeus is abolished, changes character and mainly is urbanized. Consequently, the reconstruction of the “Drapetsona-Keratsini” harbour-industrial zone needs special consideration for its future development needs. In addition to upgrading the urban fabric with green areas, it will be combined with cultural, tourist and sports activities with the creation of hotels, conference centers and sports facilities, as well as the development of public transport, so as to gain immediate accessibility but not to be burdened with a nuisance of the house area.