Enhancing Community Cohesion in Exarcheia, Athens: Focussing on Temporary Uses

Abstract

The area of Exarcheia in Athens is characterised by the effects of the economic crisis and political activism. This results in a high number of abandoned buildings and spaces and also in a considerable number of illegal squats in the neighbourhood. This paper is outlining an approach how temporary uses can serve as informal planning instrument to foster urban development and increase social resilience. By exploring and categorising temporary uses in the area, challenges were analysed and a concept was developed to respond to those problems. The main approach includes the implementation of a temporary use agency which serves as mediator between local initiators and owners and as a legal adviser. Moreover, temporary interventions are outlined as another important approach. Implemented in the public space they can respond to local needs and increase the liveability in the neighbourhood. The goal of the concept as a whole is to promote temporary use as a flexible approach for urban transformation. First, general potentials of temporary use for urban planning are outlined, to analyse second the area of Exarcheia and third, to explain the concept in more detail.