Formerly green areas have been made barren and Athens has begun to experience unprecedented problems with flooding as trees that once held back run-off from the mountains have disappeared. Because of the flooding, the government accepted the fact that much of the damage was man-made. Local environmentalists have convinced the Athens 2004 committee that some locations are too sensitive to be developed. Instead of building part of the Olympic Village on Mount Parnitha, with its pristine forest, the village will be constructed below the mountain in the Valley of Acharnes. But city officials complain there is no pleasing environmentalists, who are likely to find fault with plans to develop any plot of green space the capital has left.
Archaeologists have their own set of concerns.
The route of the subway line, which may be open to the public next year, was diverted twice to avoid running directly through the cemetery and the baths. But some discoveries had to be reburied so the metro could keep moving. You have to destroy something to proceed, and that is sad. Before bookmarking this page in your browser, click here . The Christian Science Publishing Society.