Corfu Integrated Spatial Development Plan to begin with the Phoenix and Yiallina Mansion
Corfu Town
07 Jun 2018
/ 13:37
CORFU. These will be the first of a series of projects that will be carried out in stages. "I am certain, "said the Mayor, "that when all the work is completed, Corfu will be a completely different town."
By the end of 2018 the restoration work on the Phoenix and the Yiallina Mansion will have been contracted out, Vassilis Kavadias told Enimerosi. Mr. Kavadias is Deputy Mayor for Tourism and head of the Integrated Spatial Development Plan (OHE) for Corfu Town. The work will be the first in a series of projects that will be carried out in stages.
As he explained at a press conference, OHE is an integrated development strategy for the town and not one where works are undertaken individually and in an unconnected way. The aim of this type of development is to improve entrepreneurship, not based on the established business model of recreation (sun and sea) but on culture and user experiences (historical sites, cultural routes, culinary festivals etc.).
Vassilis Kavadias pointed out that the Integrated Spatial Development Plan is being implemented in Corfu for the first time and that 40 organizations and bodies participated in the preparation of the proposal.
The development strategy focuses on the following:
- Promotion of the historical elements and periods that make up the town's identity.
- Development and promotion of 'new' urban landmarks in the town.
- The (gradual) development of a new field: creative and cultural economy, employment and business.
- Development of urban and cultural tourism, with the main focus being on the special identity, wealth of monuments and modern cultural creativity.
- Integrated management (initially) of Corfu Town as an internationally-recognized tourist destination with a specific cultural identity.
- The simultaneous attraction and intelligent management of multiple visitor sources.
- Sustainable urban development with an emphasis on the urban environment, traffic management etc.
Vaggelis Pitsas, Director of Corfu Municipality Organization and Planning, explained that the Integrated Spatial Development Plan had 5 basic axes.
According to the approval of the plan, the priorities for the distribution of funds are as follows:
Priority 1: Reinforcement of regional competitiveness with the development of entrepreneurship, innovation and Information & Communication Technology (European Regional Development Fund - ERDF) - 3.1m Euros.
Priority 2: Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development. (ERDF) - 20.5m Euros.
Priority 3: Development of transport infrastructure (ERDF) - 1.8m Euros.
Priority 4: Social integration, development of human resources and combating poverty and discrimination (European Central Bank - ECB) - 1.8m Euros.
Priority 5: Technical aid (ERDF) - 0.5m Euros.
Mayor Kostas Nikolouzos talked about the thinking behind OHE, saying that, "The efforts of the municipality over the last two years have been rewarded and the proposal that we put forward has been approved and funding guaranteed from several sources." He added that the total approved amount of 71m Euros was not the limit - according to the progress of the work, additional funding can be requested.
The Mayor thanked all those who collaborated in the development of the plan and the coordinators and organizations that took part in the 3 thematic groups that were created for the preparatory work. These 3 groups were Tourism and Entrepreneurship - coordinated by Kostas Tsoumanis, President of the Scientific Tourism Company; Exploitation of Cultural Infrastructure and Management of Cultural Capital - coordinated by Miranda Kaldi, professor at the Ionian University; Urban Rejuvenation and Sustainable Urban Mobility - coordinated by Nikos Triantos, President of the Technical Chamber.
"I am certain," the Mayor addedfinally, "that when all the work is completed, Corfu will be a completely different town."
In Greek:
As he explained at a press conference, OHE is an integrated development strategy for the town and not one where works are undertaken individually and in an unconnected way. The aim of this type of development is to improve entrepreneurship, not based on the established business model of recreation (sun and sea) but on culture and user experiences (historical sites, cultural routes, culinary festivals etc.).
Vassilis Kavadias pointed out that the Integrated Spatial Development Plan is being implemented in Corfu for the first time and that 40 organizations and bodies participated in the preparation of the proposal.
The development strategy focuses on the following:
- Promotion of the historical elements and periods that make up the town's identity.
- Development and promotion of 'new' urban landmarks in the town.
- The (gradual) development of a new field: creative and cultural economy, employment and business.
- Development of urban and cultural tourism, with the main focus being on the special identity, wealth of monuments and modern cultural creativity.
- Integrated management (initially) of Corfu Town as an internationally-recognized tourist destination with a specific cultural identity.
- The simultaneous attraction and intelligent management of multiple visitor sources.
- Sustainable urban development with an emphasis on the urban environment, traffic management etc.
Vaggelis Pitsas, Director of Corfu Municipality Organization and Planning, explained that the Integrated Spatial Development Plan had 5 basic axes.
According to the approval of the plan, the priorities for the distribution of funds are as follows:
Priority 1: Reinforcement of regional competitiveness with the development of entrepreneurship, innovation and Information & Communication Technology (European Regional Development Fund - ERDF) - 3.1m Euros.
Priority 2: Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development. (ERDF) - 20.5m Euros.
Priority 3: Development of transport infrastructure (ERDF) - 1.8m Euros.
Priority 4: Social integration, development of human resources and combating poverty and discrimination (European Central Bank - ECB) - 1.8m Euros.
Priority 5: Technical aid (ERDF) - 0.5m Euros.
Mayor Kostas Nikolouzos talked about the thinking behind OHE, saying that, "The efforts of the municipality over the last two years have been rewarded and the proposal that we put forward has been approved and funding guaranteed from several sources." He added that the total approved amount of 71m Euros was not the limit - according to the progress of the work, additional funding can be requested.
The Mayor thanked all those who collaborated in the development of the plan and the coordinators and organizations that took part in the 3 thematic groups that were created for the preparatory work. These 3 groups were Tourism and Entrepreneurship - coordinated by Kostas Tsoumanis, President of the Scientific Tourism Company; Exploitation of Cultural Infrastructure and Management of Cultural Capital - coordinated by Miranda Kaldi, professor at the Ionian University; Urban Rejuvenation and Sustainable Urban Mobility - coordinated by Nikos Triantos, President of the Technical Chamber.
"I am certain," the Mayor addedfinally, "that when all the work is completed, Corfu will be a completely different town."
In Greek:
