With a clear political and self-directed message, Mr Municipality of Antiparos positioned against the investment model it integrates tourism and real estateasked for him suspension of any licensing process for strategic investments which is initiated without the consent of the local communities.
The resolution he issued the Municipality focus on his issue institutional protection of the islandswhich points out that the survival of the land and the societies is the limited and cannot be considered as an unlimited field of investment exploitation.
Institutional guarantees and the role of Municipalities are necessary
Among the main demands formulated, stand out:
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or mandatory participation of Municipalities in the opinion and approval of investment plans,
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the prediction that no project can be implemented no restrictions on carrying capacity,
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and the complete compatibility with Special or Local Urban Plans.
At the same time, the question about him was openly raised institutional review – even the elimination – of the framework of strategic investmentsespecially in insular areas, where the effects are often irreversible.
A common concern in the Cyclades
Antiparos’ resolution is based on the relevant recommendation previously issued by Municipality of Thirastressing that the issue is not related to an island but entire Cyclades.
In the relevant text it is pointed out that in recent years the so-called “strategic investments” in tourism they change the behavioracts as a vehicle to change the natural, cultural and social fabric of the islands. A framework built with the goal of sustainable development ends up being exploited private, at the expense of the public interest.
“The very existence of the islands is threatened”
At the center of criticism is off-plan large-scale constructionwith settlements and luxury facilities developed without urban planning, usually by:
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complex tourist accommodation,
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Organized hosts of tourist activities,
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and strategic investment through ESCHASE.
As described, in all these cases the choice of land is made by individuals and not by public planningwhile the OTAs are left without sufficient reason as to what happens within their borders.
Examples of behavior are discussed:
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on Iowhere a large part of the island is concentrated in the hands of an investor despite the negative decisions of the municipal council,
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on Applewhere strict measures are taken to limit construction,
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as well as Folegandros and he Anafiwhere the pressures increase.
Tourism or real estate?
The central position of the resolution is tourism, rather than acting as a lever creating additional value for the local communityconverted into a field is a large residential development for sale or lease. A model described as net real estatewith little benefit for permanent residents and serious effects on the landscape and social cohesion.
The Municipality of Antiparos clearly states that opposed to the inclusion of any project in the strategic investment regime, if it no acceptance in the local community and not controlled based on the carrying capacity and urban planning of the island.