A proposed bill to revive abandoned and declining rural settlements has drawn sharp criticism from environmental and urban planning experts, who warn it could fuel real estate speculation in fragile Greek island areas.
The legislation expands a dormant 2014 framework, allowing private investors and housing cooperatives to develop areas of up to 20 hectares near such villages, including existing settlements and adjacent rural land, for residential, commercial and tourism uses.
The Environment Ministry says the plan aims to combat depopulation through organized planning and regional development. Critics argue it uses the demographic crisis to promote large-scale construction. Urban planning expert Nikos Belavilas described the measure as “a horizontal urban plan” extending across Greece’s off-plan areas.
Experts also object that the measure was included in unrelated legislation concerning state water utilities, warning it could affect thousands of small communities.
