Greece is facing widespread unrest as the popular island of Santorini prepares for significant regulatory changes aimed at curbing the impact of tourism.
The Environment Ministry has introduced draft legislation that would impose strict building restrictions within the island’s iconic caldera zone, sparking controversy among local business owners and residents.
The proposed law, currently under public consultation, seeks to halt new construction projects in the wider caldera area of Santorini and Therasia.
This includes a suspension on building extensions, swimming pools, and entirely new structures.
The move is part of a broader effort to protect the island’s fragile landscape, particularly after a landslide in April raised concerns about the stability of the caldera’s slopes.
Businesses operating within the caldera will also be required to conduct structural adequacy studies within a two-year deadline. Additionally, local planning authorities have been tasked with reviewing all existing building permits in the zone by the end of 2024.
Efthymis Lekkas, president of the Anti-Seismic Planning and Protection Organization (OASP), said: “This year, after the landslide in April, meetings of the intergovernmental committee were held specifically for Santorini, and, next, the issue of the stability of the slopes of the caldera was examined.”
The proposed legislation has sparked debate on the island, with some arguing the measures are necessary to preserve Santorini’s unique environment, while others fear the impact on the local economy, which heavily relies on tourism.