Land Allotment Patterns and Urban Features in Post-Second World War Athens: Existing Situation and Betterment Scenarios

The Historical Background Of Urbanization In Post-War Athens

The Second World War had in store for Greece large human losses and material destruction¹. The first post-Second World War period is characterized by the Civil War and the parallel attempts to reconstruct the country after the damages inflicted during the war. At the social level, these two issues among other effects resulted in large scale population movements and the attraction of considerable numbers to the larger cities. In this context, Athens increased its population by 23%. In financial terms, the first post-Second World War years signaled the full collapse of the country’s economy.

As far as the housing issue, the post-Second World War period witnessed the actions of C. Doxiades as minister of Coordination from 1948 till 1949 and at the Sub-Ministry of Reconstruction, where he continued his quest till 1951. However, the explosive conditions lead to the flourishing of illegal building during the decade 1946-55 (Table 1).

Source: SADAS, 1962:.7 & 10.