Athens resists as investors swoop on the city’s ‘neighbourhood of the gods’

<p>The district of Plaka dates to neolithic times but a new wave of development is luring more tourists – and local people are fighting back</p><p>In a neoclassical building in Athens on the oldest street of one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the western world, residents gathered last week with much on the minds.</p><p>Items on the agenda included noise pollution, congestion and other modern afflictions, but there was one that was met with instant relief: Haris Doukas, the city’s mayor, had decided to set up a taskforce to save Plaka, the ancient quarter at the heart of the capital’s historic centre.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2025/feb/15/athens-resists-plaka-investors">Continue reading...</a>