The sun., 1916-12-03
Mawson Tells
of the Wonderful
Work I'M
ming Which Is to
Make the Famous
Capital a Mecca
for Tourists and
Give the Ancient
Glories Of the
Acropolis Proper
Setting
Is CONTEMPLATED

Setting
~lNEN his choice for realization
AMONG all noble dreams UNI
folded by his work. the city
planner would probably select h re-
making Of Athens. with the thrcefold
object Of conserving and afording
their full value to the surviving
ruins % the glory that was Greece"
OF endowing with a new beauty. social
efficiency and commercial Potentially
the modern city and Of insuring cor
rect Development along these lines to
the greater Athens TO come.
This opportunity has been granted.
through trc patriotism and practical
vision Of NJ. Venizelos. to Prof. T. ii.
Mawson, the English landscape ar
chltect and expert in city planning.
who has completed the preliminary
studies and the grand scheme of the
work and has also drawn up In detail
the plans for the more spectacular
improvements to he undertaken i'm
medidtely. lie H. at present lecturins
at American universities and has his
headquarters at the Hotel Belmont.
The remainder Of his task, he esti-
mates. Will occupy five years. After
that he expects to be adviser TO the
architects. engineers and legislators
putting his ideas into effect. II Is un-
likely that he will view the completed
work. since the Greek national spirit
retains its independence of haste ana
the bondage of the time cause when
working out a great artistic enterprise
THE work" says Prof. Mawson. rs
10 ho paid for by the .Athenian people.
Quite frankly. il Athens were as rich
M one OF our Lancashire towns in
England would utterly IL SPAR or
their accomplishing anything. But be-
cause they are poor and have neces-
sarIly To practise rigid economy they
will accomplish all | suggest and more.
They viii first solve the practical prob
lens of design on paper in a true
scientific and aesthetic manner. ana
then. If necessary. take fifty or a hun
drcd years to accomplish their object
But they will not he so long in doing
the things Of immediate civic impor-
lance. They mean to build a a.
Athens, a seat OF government In keep
ing with the spirit of the old. to take
fuil advantage OF II seaport's grow
Ing possibilities In m and TO
focus the attention Of the world upon
a live and progressive city, hoping
Wien the war Is over To make 1t a
Mecca FOR tourists. and lille to
attract investors whose capital may
help them carry out the larger plan.
Modern Athens. Prof. Mawson ex-
plains, IS not more than eighty years
old
In 1884 II was only a poor village.
VIII some 500 huts or tenements con-
tsinlnS a mixed population OF say
Loo Greeks and Albanians,' he says
but tho population began to expand
~Forty-onc years later, in 1871, 1t was
5000. In 1889 il was nearly los 900,
Only seven years later it had risen Ia
u 600, or with the near villages al
most $4,000.
'To-day there are 200, 900 inhabitants
or more, a.d this is exclusive OF the
Piraus.'
Tie rapid growth continues. Prof
Mawsou's maps take account of a pop
ulation to be attained within the life
H''' u tne Younger generation WHic'
VIII double the present figures.
The expansion" he says, has mean
A necessary growth in house provision
~ has been managed by a hasty build
as o please policy that hurried.
sought To cope with pressing needs,
Added tn this came the stream o
wealthy tourists, and the FRY was eve
Tor more hotels. Soon there will be d.
rect communication with SalOnica. air'
once IL IL established the city of Athen
VIII be only fifty-four hours from Paris
something must he one to make a IA
sighted provision for the pilgrims.
Then YOU must remember that a
the close of the late Balkan wa an OK
tensive area Of new territory. very pro
%dnctivc. a added to Greece, increas
ing the scope Of its parliamentary rep
Fascination and demanding the cree
ton Of a more imposing government
centre, with numerous minister's
! buildings.
"Thr municipality, anxious to ex
press It's civic pride, wished To erect
city han, law courts and markets. TIL
merchants contemplate a new eS
Change. All are wise enough to sc
That these buildings must be planne