NICOSIA Mayor Eleni Mavrou yesterday presented her ‘Plans and Actions for the Development of Nicosia’ for the rejuvenation programme of the capital
“The Ledra Street opening gives hope for communication and co-operation for the development of the city,” Mavrou said. “Nicosia, as a capital and a city, pays daily the cost of the occupation and is entitled to much more than others.
The city needs big scope works of infrastructure to define it; works to make it stronger as an administrative, cultural, and commercial-financial centre”
Mavrou pointed to works that had already been completed, including the social-culture centre in Palouriotissa, the €2million renovation of the old retirement home over Famagusta Gate into the Municipal Centre of Social Services which recently hosted Cyprus Fashion Week, and several cultural centres and arts centres.
“The old town is the point of reference for Nicosia. The historic character of the area can be developed for the promotion of cultural tourism, education and trade and economic development plans.
“The recent acceptance of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture for the ‘Rehabilitation of the Walled City’ project was an important experience for our city and encourages all those who vision the development of Nicosia.
“Nicosia has the possibility of becoming a modern European capital and to participate in the construction of the prospect of reunification”
The Mayor also presented works that are scheduled to begin, including sports centres, pedestrian areas and bike paths, and community centres.
Mavrou hopes that “the implementation of these works will be carried out with the co-operation of the private sector and the Church.”
She added that the Municipal Council in a recent meeting also approved the systematic creation of pavements across the city. The first phase will start in the beginning of 2009 and will last three years. It covers 107 streets in different areas of a total length of 32,730 metres and it is estimated to cost around €32 million.
The Mayor also spoke of the construction of the new Town Hall in the centre of the old town as being a necessity for practical and symbolic reasons. The Antiquities Department has finished its excavations in the area and agreed with the Nicosia Municipality on the placement of the building.
She also highlighted to ambitious facelift for Eleftheria Square undertaken by world famous architect Zaha Hadid. “The transformation of Eleftheria Square and the surrounding area is designed to link the old city with the modern city. It will upgrade the aesthetic image of the Square and convert it into the focal point of city life”
Mavrou believes that, “The creation of a city centre based on the model of other European cities will make Nicosia a pole of attraction. It will create the necessary conditions for the development of a culture that will make everyone from Nicosia love their city and take pride in it.”
