Metaxourgio area is indeed very important for its ancient cemetery and since 1993 is included in the program of the unification of the Archaeological Sites of Athens that “aims to restore the historic continuity of the city”. In my personal view, Athens should protect its cultural heritage and Athenians should show patience at any cost. A few years ago we had a similar problem with the extension of the metro lines. During the construction of the red and blue line, especially in the more central areas, the archeological excavations were delaying tremendously the completion of the metro lines. Although that, in the end, very interesting findings were brought up to light that today add real value to the city of Athens.

The restoration of the neo-classical buildings should also follow strict rules but in a broader architectural sense and with the aim of protecting the residential use and not turning the existing neo-classical buildings into bars, cafés and restaurants. (like in Psiri area). Metaxourgio is a case study of gentrification based more on the change of uses and less on the change of residents. Personally, I hope that future policies and measures taken will not gradually push away current residents–in order to attract wealthier ones-and that the area will succeed to maintain its main residential use. Metaxourgio before the crisis was also running the risk to turn into a bad-taste entertainment pole like that of Psiri due to the effect of overspilling. Of course Metaxourgio presents different characteristics and the recession has indeed brought many transformations into a halt but the danger still exists.

The case study of Metaxourgio is a very interesting one and rather multifaceted. The question of what would be a sustainable future for Metaxourgio is also a very difficult to answer.

In previous years the municipality had successfully managed to work on upscaling the neighborhood.
Unfortunately since the economic crisis not much is done in the area and it feels like we are going backwards.
There are still quite a few empty industrial buildings as well as old neo-classical residences with great potential.

Another issue is that because Metaxourgio is of great archeological importance (being part of the city of ancient Athens) the archeological society is very strict when it comes to alterations in existing buildings.

There are buildings from the 30′s and 40′s that were badly damaged by the big 1999 Athens earthquake.
The problem is that in most cases that owners demolished the houses significant archeological sites were discovered (like the “Athenian sima” cemetery for prominent ancient Athenians like Pericles, Clisthenes, Solon). This resulted to the archeological society taking over until excavations are finished. Unfortunately due to lack of funds everything seems to be in a halt.

On the other hand I have noticed that since the crisis and because of low rent young artists have chosen this area to open their workshops.
They might not be as glamorous as one would expect some years back but in my opinion overrated attempts of the past were crushed due to the crisis.
These down to earth attempts with small safe steps, patience and artistic improvisation is what is needed in order to secure a sustainable future.