ATHENS is reviving dozens of flagship fountains that were left abandoned and ruined for years in the city to improve people’s quality of life and the urban microclimate, a municipal official has said.

“Most of them were not in use, wrecked, with damages or very old techniques,” Evgenios Kollatos, vice mayor for urban green and public lighting, told Xinhua.

The fountains, sitting in central parts of the city, were left unmaintained due to austerity cuts during the 10-year economic crisis which started in 2009.

“All of them will be renovated now with new materials, lighting design and modern water jets. We hope that the water shows will captivate people day and night,” the official said.

Greece has been in a nationwide lockdown since Nov. 7, 2020 and quarantine fatigue is on the rise, according to pollsters. People are not allowed to leave the municipalities of their residence with the exception of work, health reasons and exercise during weekends.

The facelift of the fountains is deemed essential to improve the image of neighborhoods and residents’ psychology, despite the heavy impact of the pandemic on the Greek economy.

“The water element benefits individuals’ mental health. But it can also help lower the temperature of the surrounding area,” Kollatos said.

The renovation program, which is estimated to cost 2 million euros (US$2.4 million) and expected to be completed within the next six months, includes a series of construction, electrical and engineering works for a total of 34 fountains across the Greek capital.

The project was inaugurated a few months ago with the renovation of Omonoia square in downtown Athens and its signature fountain with an innovative and ecologically friendly design.

Fountains in many popular parts of the city and neighborhoods, such as Syntagma square in front of the Greek parliament, Truman square near the presidential mansion, and Metaxourgeio square in central Athens, have already got a new image.

(Xinhua)