Navarinou Park

What I can see

The Navarinou park is an example of spontaneous social urban planning. The creation of the park has already brought changes in the neighbourhood, which are valued differently by the residents. For example, it has increased the disturbance from the crowds until late in the night and also has increased the prices of the nearby properties. However, it is a green lung in a densely populated area, which aspires to become a “centre of ecology” through composting and production of organic fertilizer. It also uses organic sowing according to the Fukuoka technique, ie different seeds are planted in the earth and the nature, through its natural selection process, chooses which plants will grow and which not.

What I can't see

The park was occupied by citizens and created without the supervision of any bodies/ operators. The administrators of the park remain anonymous and avoid any shooting action because of the threat of a lawsuit by the Technical Chamber of Greece (owner of the plot). While the initial mobilization of citizens for the park had a great response, today’s administrators are often accused of creating a “clique”, which they themselves deny categorically saying that everyone is welcome. The creation of this park has caused disputes between municipality and residents, as well as many architects and planners who argue that such sites should not be created spontaneously and without a plan. To these criticisms the administrators respond that they are tired of the plans on paper and the long waiting for something to change in their neighbourhood. The urban planning should not be a sterile science, cut off from the city life. Residents need to have room for improvement initiatives thereof.

Info

• Address: Navarinou, Ch. Trikoupi and Zoodochou Pigis St.

Bibliography