Urban Landscape
The city is divided into the upper and the lower section, connected with roads and broad stairs. The upper section (Ano Poli) is the older and the more picturesque; however, the lower section (Kato Poli) is attractively laid out, according to the 1858 city plan, featuring a variety of squares. The most notable of these are the Psila Alonia and the Georgiou I Square . A number of exquisite neoclassical buildings are to be found, including the Apollon Theatre in Georgiou I Square, the Town Hall, the headquarters of the Local Trade Association and the Court of Justice. A replica of the city's emblematic old lighthouse - which was situated at the dock of Saint Nikolaos - rises at the end of Trion Navarhon street, near the temple of Saint Andreas.
In general, much of Patras' coastline is framed by roads and avenues running alongside; these include Dymaion Coast to the south and Iroon Polytechneiou Road to the north. Due to insufficient urban planning as well as institutional weaknesses on behalf of the City Council (mainly due to a lack of proper financial planning), some of the city's coastal areas are not in an ideal condition, with several areas illegally occupied by shops built along the coastline. This is contrary to what the Constitution of Greece of 2001 declares; that the Greek coastline is a "national treasure", and as such belongs to the Greek people.
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