Formulation of objectives and strategies

One of the main objectives of the design and construction of the theatre was that it should play a central role in the cultural network of the island and of the Aegean in general. Along with the traditional town, the windmills, the small chapels, the Archaeological Museum and the impending creation of a Museum of Modern Art and a Museum of Byzantine Icons, they would form a unique combination, rendering Ios one of the main cultural centres of the Aegean.  

The restoration and upgrading of the closed rubbish tip was the driving force for the improvement of waste management conditions, towards limiting environmental problems (protection from the impact of such sites) and towards creating the conditions for its environmental restoration by saving on natural resources (water) and high-cost external agents. 

The Greek Environment Ministry supported the Municipality of Ios and the University of the Aegean in their efforts. 

Mobilisation of resources

The Municipality of Ios,with the support of the Minister for the Aegean Sea,was able to secure financing for the project via the Environment Ministry. In particular, the construction of the theatre and the configuration of the surrounding area were incorporated in the "Environment" and"Protection and Elevation of Historic Centres, Traditional Settlements and Areas of Special Natural Beauty" projects. The contract between the Municipality of Ios and the Ministry was concluded in November 1995. 

The architectural study and the supervision of the construction were assigned to the German Professor of Architecture at Berlin University Mr. Peter Haupt, a permanent resident and a honorary citizen of Ios. The contribution of the GreekPlaywright Association was also considerable. 

Work commenced at the beginning of the year 1996. The theatre was constructed out of stone and white marble (abundant in this area) by local artisans, experienced in the use and processing of such materials.  

The University of the Aegean, along with the Municipality of Ios, which is active in the restoration, upgrading and monitoring of waste-disposal tips in Greece,including Ios, selected suitable types of vegetation for planting and was able to secure resources from the Environment Ministry. 

The plans of the Municipality of Ios for this specific area proved very popular with the inhabitants and schoolchildren of the island who helped in their attainment, via environment training lessons on the part of the students and manual labour on the part of the residents. 

Process

There was no access to the closed waste-disposal tip for the vehicles used in the project,since the waste had been carried there on donkeys. Therefore the first stage of the project focused on opening a road providing access to the site.  

Since the waste had not been buried in the proper, sanitary manner and had been dispersed over a wide area by the wind and stray animals, the schoolchildren and the local residents collected the rubbish and transferred it to the current waste-disposal tip of the island. Any remaining waste was covered by a layer of earth towards protecting the environment and planting new vegetation.  

The erection of the theatre on a former rubbish tip did not involve any stability problems to the construction, in view of the long period of inactivity and the thin layer of remaining waste on the ground.  

For reasons of sanitation, the toilets of the theatre site were constructed separately,using the same local materials and architecture. 

The participation of the Municipality of Ios in the project was decisive, including the actions taken to secure financing for the greater part of the project, the co-ordination of the various participants, and overall supervision.  

The contribution of the University of the Aegean focused on the scientific part of the restoration, and on upgrading and monitoring the closed waste-disposal tip.  

At the closed site, the protection of the environment from the impact of the waste had to be secured, while creating conditions for its re-integration in the natural environment. The need for special actions to protect the environment from the impact of the rubbish-tip mainly arose from the fact that certain waste items require considerable time before they are wholly degraded. 

A main element of the restoration process was the final covering of the site with a layer of earth towards securing the conditions for planting vegetation. 

In addition,the plants of the Greek flora that are most suitable for such sites, were recorded upon the installation of vegetation for the restoration and re-configuration of the site. 

A measurement station network was installed for determining the physical and chemical factors affecting waste-disposal sites.

The contribution of schoolchildren and local residents focused on voluntary waste-collecting,planting and manual works. The schoolchildren acquired extensive knowledge concerning the problem of waste-disposal -a universal problem, present everywhere in the world- through special environment training lessons on waste,its management and the places for its disposal.

The contribution of the Greek Playwright Association in completing the project focused on providing the Municipality of Ios with specialised know-how concerning technical aspects of the open-air theatre construction.