EXTROVERT ROADS

The Municipalities of Georgios Karaiskakis and Dropolis (Dropull Municipality) located within the eligible for the programme cross-border area, despite their location in different countries have common characteristics and problems. In particular the two extensively mountainous areas, are characterized by delayed development, depopulation, low level of infrastructure and geographical isolation due to inadequate transportation infrastructure. The two Municipalities, as shown on in their business plans, have included extroversion as a key lever for development. A main concern, thus, is to upgrade the accessibility infrastructure that will enable the life quality improvement for the residents, the primary sector products distribution, the access to the abundant natural and cultural assets and the activation of the tertiary sector.

The proposals’ strategic objective is to jointly create the extrovert development pathways for the disadvantaged areas of the two municipalities through upgrading accessibility infrastructure, increasing capacity and traffic, removing isolation, developing existing entrepreneurship, improving the quality of life and retaining the population.

The project’s expected outputs relate to:

• Implementation of improving the infrastructure of three municipal roads in the municipality of Georgios Karaiskakis, 2.80 km long,
• Implementation of improving the access road, 1,50 km long, towars the listed heritage site of the Byzantine Church Nativity of Mary in Kato Episkopi and the Radat village. Both projects include the rehabilitation works of the geometrical characteristics, drainage of rainwater, landslide protection walls and total reconstruction of the asphalt pavers in combination with the required marking and safety features. Road signs for access to neighboring municipal natural and cultural resources are also included.
• Intangible actions (opening and closing conferences, presentations in both countries),
• Web site (with information on the project, the intervention area, the cross-border programme), IT equipment. The joint project of upgrading the road network is able to obtain funding in order to deal with common challenges through joint interventions, establishing present and future cooperations.

In addition to the project’s tangible results and the direct cross-border impact to the public, the business and in general to the development prospects, this proposal is expected in times of recession to give a note of encouragement that can bring about a change of the current situation in the neglected municipal areas, while attaining added value and momentum in its strategic purpose.