The updated Sustainable Urban Development plan for Corfu Town has been approved for funding by the ESPA 2021-2027 Programme, with a total amount of 39,515,000 Euros.
Central Corfu Municipality's updated proposal (total budget 67,215,000 Euros), following the completion of the consultation during the tenure of Mayor Meropi Ydraiou, was submitted for approval to the Regional Management Authority in February. This submission aims to secure funds from the new ESPA Programme for the implementation of significant projects and actions in key areas of the local economy (tourism, entrepreneurship), culture, urban revitalisation, sustainable mobility, and resilience, under the Integrated Spatial Investment.
Among other projects, it includes those from the previous period transferred to the new one, such as the restoration of the Yiallina mansion, the Phoenikas Theatre, Villa Rossa, the Museum of Asian Art workshops, while new projects are also included, such as the Petsali mansion.
Platytera bypass
Infrastructure projects include the completion of the bypass road in Platytera, which has been stagnant for years (Margariti - Andreadis bypass), as well as the redevelopment of streets for smooth traffic flow (based on the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan) and public spaces in neighbourhoods of the town.
Additionally, there is provision for the establishment of an Observatory for measuring tourist carrying capacity, for the continuation of the International Festival, for the enhancement and protection of the forest, gardens, and biodiversity of Mon Repos, for the restoration of the Old Town Hall, while also included is the project for the reconstruction of the former slaughterhouse in Mandouki, which had been abandoned. Moreover, emphasis is placed on supporting the development of social entrepreneurship activities in priority areas.
Meeting at Regional Administration Headquarters
The core of all these was discussed yesterday morning at a working meeting convened at the Regional Administration Headquarters in Alykes by the Regional Governor, Yiannis Trepeklis, attended by the Mayor of Central Corfu, Stefanos Poulimenos, the Head of the Managing Authority, Kostas Aspiotis, and executive staff from the Region and the Municipality.
Mr. Trepeklis said that the old town, which is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, must have the best infrastructure to match its reputation. "We are planning a different approach, aiming to address the problems that the town faces and are known to all of us, from traffic to serious infrastructure issues and cultural aspects," he stated after the meeting. "Projects that have been stagnant for quite some time and have reached a level of risk concerning their future and progress, such as the Yiallina building and the Phoinikas Theatre. We are also initiating new projects, like the Petsali mansion, a series of projjects and bypasses within the town, such as Miltiadou Margariti - Platytera, a significant project that will ease traffic. From the funding programme, we will allocate approximately 39.5 million Euros, and with additional funding from sectoral sources, this amount could reach 67 million Euros, which of course involves other entities. However, the core responsibility for success lies with the Central Corfu Municipality.
On his part, Mr. Poulimenos stated that the projects and actions included in the Integrated Spatial Investment programme for Corfu Town can change the dynamics of the town, stressing that the Municipality is undertaking the significant obligation to prepare these projects.
