kathimerini.gr
Athens Housing Crisis: Abandoned Buildings and Lack of Social Housing
Athens faces a housing crisis despite numerous abandoned buildings, highlighting the lack of social housing programs and the need for repurposing vacant structures, contrasting with other European countries utilizing recovery funds for social housing.
- What is the core issue causing Athens' housing crisis, and how does this affect its citizens?
- Athens is grappling with a housing crisis despite numerous abandoned buildings. The city has many vacant properties—former factories, hotels, and protected buildings—while simultaneously experiencing a housing shortage. This paradox highlights a failure to utilize existing resources.
- How do other European countries approach similar housing shortages, and what lessons could Athens learn from them?
- The problem isn't unique to Athens; many European capitals face similar challenges. However, Athens lacks a robust social housing program, unlike countries like Spain, Italy, and Portugal, which are using recovery funds to build thousands of social housing units. The absence of such a program in Athens leaves many vulnerable.
- What specific steps could Athens take to address its housing crisis using existing resources, and what are the potential obstacles?
- Athens could address its housing crisis by repurposing abandoned buildings into social housing. This would require mapping and assessing existing structures for suitability. The successful implementation of such a program would require significant investment and a shift in housing policy, potentially requiring the revival of organizations dedicated to social housing.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the issue as a failure of Greek policy, highlighting the lack of social housing and the abundance of abandoned buildings. This framing emphasizes the negative aspects of the situation and implicitly criticizes the government's inaction. While it mentions successful programs in other countries, the primary focus is on Greece's shortcomings. The headline (if there was one) would likely emphasize the crisis, further reinforcing this framing.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral, but the repeated use of terms like "abandoned," "sapίζουν" (they rot/decay), and "ξεχαρβαλωμένες" (dilapidated) contributes to a negative and somewhat alarmist tone. While these terms accurately describe the state of the buildings, more neutral alternatives could temper the overall negativity. For example, instead of "sapίζουν," a phrase like "are in a state of disrepair" could be used.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses on the lack of social housing in Athens and the abundance of abandoned buildings, but omits discussion of potential solutions beyond repurposing existing structures or the broader economic factors contributing to the housing crisis. While the article mentions other countries using recovery funds for social housing, it doesn't analyze the reasons behind this difference or explore potential political obstacles hindering similar initiatives in Greece. This omission limits the reader's ability to fully understand the complexity of the issue and potential pathways to a solution.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy by framing the situation as a choice between either maintaining high rates of homeownership or implementing social housing. It overlooks the possibility of complementary approaches or other strategies to address the housing shortage.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights a severe housing crisis in Athens, Greece, characterized by a shortage of affordable housing despite numerous abandoned buildings. This reflects poorly on the sustainable and inclusive urban development goals of SDG 11. The lack of social housing and the repurposing of existing structures are significant challenges to achieving sustainable urban development and ensuring adequate housing for all.