The program also includes the construction of new squares and sidewalks, and interventions on Lycabettus Hill, the National Garden, and other areas and he also noted a 5-million euro ($5.82 million) program for modernizing the capital’s lighting system. He told the Olympia Forum that the program of works launched by the Municipality in Athens will be larger than that in the runup to the 2004 Olympics said Kathimerini of his continuing efforts to beautify the city. He rejected frequent criticism, including from store owners and others, that it hasn’t worked as designed, the aim is to unify central parks of the city center in a network of pedestrianized roads, noting similar reactions decades ago to work on Ermou and Dionysiou Aeropagitou streets, which were successful. The experimental plan to widen a major avenue in the Greek capital and allow more room for pedestrians, called The Grand Walk, has helped improve an often-ugly city, Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis noted.
