MVP

Tag: urban development

  • Paphos public — Paphos public: Paphos Mayor’s Public Square Vision Faces Council Resistance

    Paphos public — Paphos public: Paphos Mayor’s Public Square Vision Faces Council Resistance

    paphos public — The mayor of Paphos, Phedonas Phedonos, is encountering significant opposition to his proposal for transforming the parking area on Konstantinou Kanaris street into a public square.

    • paphos public — The mayor of Paphos, Phedonas Phedonos, is encountering significant opposition to his proposal for transforming the parking area on Konstantinou Kanaris street into a public square.
    • The mayor acknowledged the complexities surrounding multi-storey parking due to the presence of many Turkish Cypriot properties in the area, which complicates any potential development plans.

    Diko councillor Agathi Savvidou, articulating the majority sentiment within the municipal council, has raised concerns that the initiative would exacerbate the already pressing parking shortage in the city’s centre. She argued for a more practical approach that prioritises the needs of residents, workers, and visitors alike.

    In her plan, Savvidou suggested optimising existing public parking facilities while ensuring that the character of the area is preserved. This strategy, she noted, would be backed by comprehensive technical and economic feasibility studies.

    “A multi-storey car park would provide substantial solutions to the chronic lack of parking spaces, enhance commercial and social activity, reduce traffic congestion and contribute to the sustainable development of our historical and commercial centre,” she explained.

    Despite the backlash, Mayor Phedonos remains optimistic about the approval of his proposal, which he characterises as a minor alteration affecting only 13 to 14 parking spaces. He acknowledged the concerns voiced by local shopkeepers about potential loss of parking but highlighted the availability of approximately 600 additional parking spaces in the vicinity, asserting, “this is not the problem of our commercial centre.”

    In a direct response to Savvidou’s assertions regarding the parking shortage, Phedonos was firm: “There is no shortage.” He further dismissed the call for multi-storey car parks as a populist move, stating, “When such needs arise, we have a plot of land allocated where we can create another 300 spaces without multi-storey buildings.”

    The mayor acknowledged the complexities surrounding multi-storey parking due to the presence of many Turkish Cypriot properties in the area, which complicates any potential development plans.

  • Nicosia Advances Sopaz Redevelopment and State Fair Grounds Transformation

    Nicosia Advances Sopaz Redevelopment and State Fair Grounds Transformation

    Nicosia’s Ambitious Plans for Urban Renewal

    Nicosia is pressing ahead with the Sopaz redevelopment and the future of the old state fair grounds, two projects seen as interconnected developments poised to reshape the capital.

    • Nicosia is pressing ahead with the Sopaz redevelopment and the future of the old state fair grounds, two projects seen as interconnected developments poised to reshape the capital.

    Community Support for Green Spaces

    According to a report from Philenews, the municipality is treating these projects as complementary to each other. Mayor Charalambos Prountzos highlighted a municipal survey indicating that 90 per cent of local residents favour transforming the state fair grounds into a metropolitan park. This proposed park would cover an impressive 250,000 square metres, addressing a long-standing shortage of green space in Engomi, which has increasingly become dominated by housing and concrete.

    Plans Moving Forward

    The government, alongside local community and parliamentary support, appears to be shifting towards the park concept. Relevant studies for the park are anticipated within the next two to three months. If approved, it would stand as the largest park in Cyprus, while only around 10 per cent of the area would remain dedicated to cultural, sports, educational, and exhibition uses.

    Transitioning the State Fair Grounds

    While the state fair moved to Makedonitissa in the early 1970s, the old grounds have hosted various events, from exhibitions to concerts. The new plans mark a significant departure from a cabinet decision made in September 2022, which aimed to establish a “research and tech zone” featuring offices, a hotel, and a conference centre. Local opposition has also led to the shelving of a proposed park-and-ride station near the site.

    Strategic Steps for Sopaz Redevelopment

    Simultaneously, progress at Sopaz is gaining momentum. The municipality has engaged an international consultancy to conduct a viability study, scheduled for completion in 2025. Additionally, there are plans to merge at least four state-owned plots with existing land, expanding the redevelopment area to over 300,000 square metres. This project envisions an exhibition and conference centre, along with facilities for sports, culture, housing, and green spaces.

    Improving Accessibility

    Accessibility to Sopaz is being enhanced with the ongoing reconstruction of Famagusta Avenue, which will directly connect the site to the highway via the University of Cyprus. This infrastructure improvement aims to facilitate easier access from both the city centre and surrounding areas.

    Public Sentiment and Future Engagement

    The interconnection of the state fair grounds and Sopaz redevelopment has seemingly unlocked their progress. The municipality asserts that the state fair can function as a green lung for Nicosia while temporarily accommodating a limited number of pavilions until all exhibition activities transition to Sopaz. Public sentiment is strongly in favour of the Metropolitan Park, with residents expressing eagerness for its creation on social media, especially as Nicosia ranks low among European capitals for green space.

    Involving the Community in Decision-Making

    Local authorities are committed to holding public consultations and presentations, ensuring community involvement in shaping the project. The government is expected to appoint a representative to a tripartite committee alongside the municipality and council to oversee the final planning and decision-making process.

    Presidential Support for Urban Development

    President Nikos Christodoulides has indicated his backing for these initiatives, linking them to a broader plan of over 80 projects worth more than €1 billion for Nicosia and its suburbs. In June, he described this programme as a “coherent and progressive plan” aimed at tackling urban challenges while enhancing the quality of life for residents.