The Countdown has started to close the Old City of Corfu. From the statue of Kapodistrias opposite the Ionian Academy till the Court of Corfu at the old port will be closed for the non-inhabitants. The cars that will be permitted will have special signs on the car glass and they will have to park to specific spots, marked with their plate numbers. Taxis and the tourist "train" will be able to operate as usual.
However, the whole plan has lost its dynamic characteristics since no uniformity and agreement in the action plan is obvious and especially in a level that will convince the citizens for its necessity. Luckilly the Technical Chamber, is constantly trying to persuade the local authorities of the enormous importance of the Unesco Action Plan for the economic development and sustainability of the Old Town of Corfu.
Croatia, Mavrovounio, which are our closest neighbouring competitors have already speedn up all efforts and according to their 10-year Strategic plan, they will be the two tourist hotspots of Adriatic area. What place in the competitive tourist arena is Corfu planning to achieve? Have we decided that or still we are still trying to think how to start discussing????
Time is clicking..... and Corfu is lacking behind. If you think otherwise please make your argument known by commenting this post.
1 comment:
I'm interested that you use the word "close" as though it was people, when what we hope for some rationing of access by cars. I always use a bicylce to enter the old town: http://democracystreet.blogspot.com/search?q=%22better+adapted%22
But there is an extensive global and European literature of practice on achieving carfree cities:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carfree_Cities
There is also a great deal about the concept of shared space in cities:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shared_space
Once the sheer volume of motorised traffic has been reduced by rationing, the cars and vans that are still allowed to enter the city can be encouraged to interact with walkers and cyclists through this practical philosophy.
The fact is that excluding cars from any city (unless it's Venice!) is very difficult because so many regard cars as status symbols and have become autodependent in their daily habits. A great deal of political will and skill will be needed to reduce the ridiculous overload of cars inside the old town. I wish every success to the city council and their partners in this excellent endeavour. the challenges are great and the problems often felt to be intractible.
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