By A. Tsimplakis
The latest “shadow” hanging over Chinese multinational Cosco’s ambitious master plan for the Piraeus Port Authority (PPA) emerged abruptly this week, after press leaks disclosed that the country’s powerful Central Archaeological Council (KAS) will consider designating practically all of the port city of Piraeus, and parts of surrounding municipalities, as sites of “archaeological interest”.
A KAS session, initially set for Tuesday, was postponed after an outcry, mostly by municipalities, and a written request by the port authority’s management, which said it will require more time to respond to the prospect of declaring one of two of Greece’s most industrialized districts as an area of archaeological interest – a prospect that would mean stricter building license regulations and land uses.
The development come after a shipping ministry-affiliated committee last month did not approve a major portion of PPA’s master plan, namely, investments not foreseen in a concession contract with the Greek state, i.e. new hotels, a shopping mall, a ship-repair yard and a new logistics hub.
The prospect of most or parts of their municipalities falling under the culture ministry-affiliated but semi-autonomous KAS’ zoning guidelines also generated a sharp reaction by local mayors, including the municipal leadership of Piraeus.
