Use of Green Resources and Designing of Public Spaces: the case of Nea Ionia City in Greece

Abstract

This paper examines the case of designing public space through the exploitation of green resources. The public space we meet is a result of both social conditions and institutional framework. In recent years, in many points of Attica, the lack of public spaces is intense. However, where the public space is adequate, it often fails to be used by residents in the best possible way. In this context, the causes of the inactive public space will be examined as well as the spatial dimension of the problem in conjunction with the socio-economic and cultural mutations taking place. The main reason for which the public space is not successfully used is basically the lack of financial resources. These resources will be studied as to whether they can derive from the use of green taxes that a Municipality may receive in order to spend on better use of public space. The Municipality of Nea Ionia will be selected as an example of public urban space. What characterizes the area over time is its revitalization through restrictive actions and works. The Municipality has been affected like all other Municipalities of Attica due to the economic crisis and needs rejuvenation actions in terms of utilization of existing public spaces. At the same time, the aforesaid Municipality has the guarantees to develop as long as it has all the necessary resources for investment and exploitation. The above represent the main reasons for investigating the issue of gaps - without the operation of public spaces. Initially, an analysis of the issue of public urban space in Attica will be undertaken by presenting the most important events that have defined its role and its presence. These are socio-economic mutations which, in relation to the institutional framework, functioned catalytically in shaping the public space. Then a spatial and historical analysis of Nea Ionia is carried out with regard to its location and its form. It presents the framework of its design, the actions taken by public bodies, studies that have been carried out as well as architectural competitions. Subsequently, the emphasis is placed on its current spatial reality through the use of buildings and pedestrian movements when crossing it. It will still be a reference to the green taxes the municipality receives and how it can use them. In order to illustrate the current image of the Municipality, a field survey will be carried out in which the uses in the area will be captured. The issue relating to the Municipality with the public spaces of other Municipalities will also be approached from the point of view of spatial neighboring as well as the functional disintegration. The question arises as to who are the users and how they experience this public space in their everyday lives. In the text of its completion, reference will be made to the predominant discourse and the upcoming regeneration of the area based on the Municipality's revenue resulting from green taxes.