Salonica's new face

Minister of the Environment Mrs Birbili and deputy minister Mr.Sifounakis presented  proposals for a “generous facelift” in Thessaloniki on Tuesday.

The proposal includes re-planning of areas and rejuvenation of run-down neighbourhoods as well as environmentally sensitive areas that need attention.

In the New Plan, there will be new tax incentives for transforming three areas in the center of Thessaloniki Valaoritou, Aggelaki and Dikitirio. Simultaneously, there will be architectural competitions funded by the Green Fund for transformations that relate to the areas of Achiropietos-Aghias Sofias and the 46 acres in the area surrounding Eptapyrgio and the Balkan Square in Neapoli area.

The Municipality of Thessaloniki will be funded for the plan for the re-designing of Tsimiski street.

One of the first projects will be the "master plan” for the beach front from Gallikos to Mechaniona, whilst the “Thessaloniki X 4” project will be implemented, as well as the plans for the rural area surrounding Thessaloniki, works that will cost roughly 96 million euros.

As for Seich Sou, the forest borders will be defined and protected, and Mrs Birbili mentioned that there is a special environmental plan for it that will define how the area will be protected, roughly costing 3,5 million euros.