Mayor of Nicosia Charalambos Prountzos met with the President of the Scientific and Technical Chamber of Cyprus (ETEK), Konstantinos Konstantis, to discuss public space planning and major projects coming up in the island capital.
According to ETEK, Nicosia is currently facing a rare opportunity: the chance for a strategic redesign and development of its public space, with a focus on its functional and social revitalisation.
This momentum must not be lost or fragmented into piecemeal interventions, but rather be harnessed to breathe new life into the city – on the basis of quality, accessibility, participation, and sustainability, ETEK said in a press release.
During the meeting, it was highlighted that the concentration of major projects in key sites such as the State Fair, the SOPAZ area, and the Wholesale Market – combined with current urban interventions in the city centre – creates the conditions for an integrated strategy that will enhance quality of life, the local economy, social cohesion, and the city’s sustainability.
Konstantis also highlighted the importance of small-scale public spaces – such as squares, neighbourhoods, “pocket” parks, pedestrian streets, schoolyards, etc. – stressing that they make a significant contribution to citizens’ daily experience and quality of life.
He further underlined the value of holding open architectural design competitions, as well as the need for meaningful consultation with citizens in the context of the projects and interventions discussed, offering the Chamber’s support to the Mayor for these processes.
Konstantis thanked Prountzos for his participation in the Structured Democratic Dialogue workshop for Nicosia, organised by the Chamber, the findings of which will be jointly presented at a press conference in September.
For his part, the Mayor of Nicosia informed the Chamber of the next steps in project implementation, stressing scientific documentation and sustainability principles – positions fully aligned with ETEK’s policy on these matters.
As the State’s institutional technical advisor, ETEK declared its intention to actively support the Municipality in shaping and monitoring the projects and interventions.
Also present at the meeting were ETEK’s First Vice President, Platonas Stylianou, General Treasurer Elena Christodoulou Liasidou, and members of its General Council, Myria Constantinidou, Laura Nicolaou, and Alkis Dikaios.
