Kyani Akti, Elis, GR
Aimilia Karkoulia, Katerina Roussou
Kyani Akti is a littoral coastal settlement, on the northern tip of Kyparissia Bay, 8km to the east of Katakolon harbour, 7km from the town of Pyrgos, in between the villages of Kavouri and Letrina in the prefecture of Elis.
The area’s ecological value and inclusion in the Natura 2000 network, contradicts with the linear illegal housing development that spreads along the coast. The structures, for primarily holiday use, were built in the last three decades. In their majority, they are self-built in stages on public land without any compliance to planning provisions. The characteristics of the informal settlement include the lack of any cohesive street plan and public infrastructure, fenced-in enclosures, subsequent annexes.
The hinterland of the informal coastal development is public land that emerged following the draining of Lake Mouria in 1969. The draining failed to create agricultural land suitable for crops’ cultivation. At present, the grounds are solely used for illegal grazing.
Through thorough mapping, critical issues were unveiled while the ecological, cultural and economic potentials of a reinstated wetland were defined.
Reconstructed Wetland
