Petition is addressed to: Ελληνική Κυβέρνηση, Δημοτικά Συμβούλια των Κυκλάδων

Ελληνική Έκδοση | Version Française

Taking into account the recent resolution of the major Environmental Organizations regarding the issues arising by building outside zoning areas, the Network for Sustainable Cyclades, in collaboration with ELLINIKI ETAIRIA (Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage), emphasises that any relaxation of the situation and failure to take immediate measures to address it will ultimately result in the permanent loss of the islands' identity (including their morphology, scale, and landscape) and the deterioration of their common asset, thereby jeopardising their development thus far.

I- We ask the Government:

֎ to ensure the immediate implementation of current legislation, the jurisprudence of the Council of State, and the existing "General Urban Plans" and "Spatial and Housing Organization of Open Cities". This includes:

• monitoring building permits and conducting re-inspections as necessary;
• preventing the unauthorised opening of new roads without permits and specifications;
• avoiding the destruction of walking paths.

 
֎ to restrict immediately the construction of new tourist accommodations, including:

• repeal of special urban plans ESCHASE and ESCHADA (referred to as strategic plans) in the Cyclades and other islands
• exclusion of tourist accommodations from strategic investments
• prioritisation of subsidies for upgrading existing businesses and enhancing the tourism product by emphasising environmental, cultural, and productive resources.

 
֎ to drastically restrict the possibility of building swimming pools on islands plagued by drought and water scarcity due to overconsumption and the climate crisis by banning them in residences and hotel rooms, along with effective control of drilling.
 
֎ to limit the growth of new tourist accommodations instead of promoting them. This will help prevent the worsening of the problem caused by the continuous increase in the number of available tourist accommodations of all types. The increase in accommodations leads to higher tourist concentrations during peak seasons and puts additional strain on the already inadequate infrastructure in many islands. It is necessary to change our priorities and focus on improving infrastructure first.
 
֎ to transfer the Climate Crisis Resilience Fee to the local government for the implementation of green infrastructure to enhance the resilience of islands.
 
֎ to support through funding programmes for projects related to the repair and upgrading of existing buildings as well as energy saving and energy efficiency improvement actions. The aim of this action is, in addition to the green transition, to ensure employment in the construction sector. At the same time, it is proposed that energy communities be strengthened to avoid large-scale renewable energy projects.
 
֎ to immediately fund a study to assess the islands' carrying capacity, examine whether they can withstand further tourism growth, and prepare a road map for their transition to a state of sustainable development before the completion of the Local Urban Plans.

ΙΙ- We ask the Municipal Councils of the Cyclades:

The Network for Sustainable Cyclades asks the Municipal Councils of the Cyclades to take a stand on these issues and send a letter to the Government asking for their immediate implementation.

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