The town can΄t take it anymore - without limits, without a plan, without measure
CORFU. Corfu’s historic centre is not a commercial prize—it reflects our cultural identity.
Over the years, under the weight of unchecked tourism development, Corfu’s historic centre is gradually being transformed—from a place of everyday life into a space of consumption. This shift is no accident. It is the result of specific political choices, hasty regulations, and deliberate “interpretations” that serve the few at the expense of the many.
The historic centre is not a "commercial zone" for unrestricted exploitation. It is a shared, cultural, and experiential space—above all, a space of coexistence. We must defend this character.
The residents’ struggle is not “quaint” or “anti-development,” as it is conveniently portrayed. It is a moral demand: to return the town to its people—to those who live in it, love it, and care for it. To the visitors who respect its identity. To the residents who endure daily suffocation and decline.
Unfortunately, under the guise of “investment,” public space has become a prize for private interests: unchecked outdoor seating, illegal constructions, flashing advertisements, blocked pavements, restricted access, and a lack of basic regulation.
A town cannot be an endless café zone. Nor a passage for double-decker tour buses. Nor a car park. It is, above all, the living space of its people. And that must be a non-negotiable priority.
We recognise the pressures faced by small businesses. Their survival is vital to the local economy. But hardship cannot justify lawlessness. What is needed is fairness, moderation, and clear rules for all.
We cannot be complicit in the abandonment of housing, nor in the deterioration of daily life. Nor can we allow tensions between residents and business owners to serve as an easy political excuse for the lack of a coherent strategy or political will.
Public space belongs to all who respect it, use it responsibly, and care for it. It does not belong to those who treat it as a platform for quick profit.
The time has come for a new policy for the historic centre—one with clear rules, with people at its heart, and with guarantees for the coexistence of residents, visitors, and businesses. Drawing on international experience—like that of Brescia, Amersfoort, Potsdam, Toledo, or Dubrovnik—can provide tested solutions to shared problems.
Adopting such a policy is not merely an act of management; it is an act of responsibility. It is the necessary step to reclaim public space as a common good, to offer quality of life to both residents and visitors, to improve the visitor experience, and to support the local economy in a fair and sustainable way.
This, I believe, is the only path to ensure that our historic centre remains a place of authentic life, culture, and sustainable development—and not a playground for low-cost tourism.
A town with limits, with a plan, and with measure. A town—and an economy—with a future.
SOTIRIS MIKALEF
Former Corfu Mayor
