Why has Athens become the world's most popular capital, the concrete jungle?

 This weekend, highs of 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) are anticipated according to the forecast.

a picture shows a wildfire burning alongside homes in the community of Irini, which is located around 80 km east of Athens

Athens, a concrete-heavy metropolitan city, is becoming known as one of Europe's trendiest cities. Experts are concerned since the city has not adopted vital environmental advances despite its susceptibility to severe heat.

The Greek capital is experiencing a hot week, and locals and visitors may only find relief on cafe patios in the evening when the sun sets. 

Highs of 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) are predicted for this weekend, forcing officials to partially close famous monuments like the Acropolis and significant parks.

Heat islands have unfortunately developed as a result of the growing urbanisation of Athens, and the city's worrying lack of green space is a contributing factor. 

Only 0.96 square metres of green space per resident—far less than the nine square metres per person suggested by the World Health Organization—results from the city's significant dearth of parks and trees. 

Despite being surrounded by hills and rivers, the metropolis is dominated by concrete buildings, leaving little area for vegetation.

The ongoing development projects place further burden on Central Athens, which is the second-most populous district in Europe after Paris. Urban planners regret that the main obstacle to maintaining priceless natural spaces in Greece is the country's development boom.

The outcomes of efforts to address the environmental catastrophe have been inconsistent. While Athens named its first climate czar in 2021 to lead initiatives for adapting to climate change, urbanisation projects still conflict with environmental objectives.

 New metro stations have necessitated the death of trees, and lengthy construction has forced the postponement of necessary green areas.

The absence of a well-coordinated plan and political will has made it difficult to reverse this depressing trend. 

Green projects and citizen participation must be prioritised immediately, according to environmental experts.

Budget cuts that have affected public services and put Natura protection areas under jeopardy all throughout Greece have also made their impact.

Athens must strike a careful balance between urban expansion and environmental preservation in order to ensure a greener and more sustainable future. 

To make Athens a more resilient and ecologically conscious city, it is imperative to prioritise green infrastructure, engage the community, and build a shared commitment to environmental conservation.