Zografou

Zografou is localized in the eastern part of the central area of Athens between the very inner city and the Hymettous mountain. The urban fabric was developed starting by 1925, with particular building activity after the second world war, producing an actual critical density of approximately 475inh/Ha. The heavily built area is extended to 210Ha, with a population of more than 100.000 inhabitants and the green area is extended, principally outside the urban fabric, to 368Ha, including 128Ha of mountainous forest areas. Main planning tools are the Strategic Development plan, the Operational Plan, the General Urban Master Plan (under revision), and the Metropolitan Plan of Athens (Athens Organization). Major issue is the outstanding question of urban life quality improvement and sustainable development, tackling the sensitive emergencies of the local and intra metropolitan intense mobility, also attracted by the large campuses of the University and the Polytechnic School (more than 60.000 students), and the local market. Largest part of the air pollution in Zografou urban area, is coming from private and public vehicles that circulate in a narrow streets grid and that cross the municipal territory between specific traffic attractors and corridors positioned at the municipal boundaries. A considerable waiting time for cars blocked in the heavy traffic increase pollution. The average age of vehicles is high and motors often lack a good maintenance. There is a high awareness of citizens asking for measures against the heavy air pollution by cars, freight delivery cars, camions and public transports. But there is weak background about what such measures should be in order to obtain sustainability and efficiency.