New app spots beach licensing violations

Greece’s finance ministry has announced that beach licensing will be completed by May 15.

Spokesperson Omiros Tsapalos made the announcement, praising the effectiveness of the newly-launched MyCoast platform, designed to report irregularities.

The application uses polygons to show citizens which beaches are allocated for business activities and their extent. Its launch comes after a sweeping grassroots

movement that sprung in the summer last year, in response to the increasing privatization of beaches that riled locals for being driven out of beaches or overcharged for sun loungers and umbrellas.

“We’re talking about double the occupation of space than what’s stipulated in contracts, with specific square meters that were never adhered to by certain entrepreneurs, “ Mr. Tsapalos told a local broadcaster. “There are also exaggerations regarding the construction and placement of unauthorized structures.”

If umbrellas, for example, are seen beyond the designated polygons, the official explained, then a violation is clear.

The application allows citizens to report such irregularities, either anonymously or by name, aiding regulatory authorities in their enforcement duties.

The grassroots “petseta” movement – named after the Greek work for beach towel – gained momentum last year as residents, frustrated by the lack of free access to beaches, began laying their towels in protest against the commercial takeover of public spaces.

The beach towel revolt, as media dubbed it, saw demonstrators demanding the right to enjoy their natural surroundings without financial barriers.

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