︎Urbanscapes︎

Kypseli is a densely populated area in the center of Athens. In order to cover the needs of population housing the main building type found in Kypseli, is polykatoikia. Although most polykatikias were built simultaneously, each one has its own intricate features. Each polykatoikia is a part of a bigger complex, known as the city block and connected through an uncovered inner courtyard. City blocks in Kypseli are formed in different typologies, shapes and sizes, along with their courtyards, that can be called urban voids, covering a great percentage of the total area of Kypseli. Inner courtyards, as well as rooftops are mostly underused and inaccessible spaces that contain either vegetation or mechanical components.
The majority of the ground floors of the city blocks, specially on Fokionos Negri pedestrian street have public uses, such as cafes and shopping stores, while the upper floors consist mostly of residencies and offices. The main public feature on Fokionos Negri Str. is the Municipal Market of Kypseli, that was built in 1937 and is currently working as an open communal space that hosts many different events and activities, playing a central role in the neighbourhood’s everyday life.