A CAPITAL city that combines its unique traditions with a European face. That is the vision behind the Nicosia Municipality’s plan to rejuvenate old Nicosia and the Nicosia districts.
“This vision has no political colours. It only focuses on the needs of our divided capital and our common goals, which will make the capital’s citizens proud of their town,” said Nicosia Mayor Michalakis Zampelas yesterday.
Zampelas presented the work that has been done so far on specified areas and listed a number of works that are planned for the future of the island’s capital.
Apart from the installation of drainage systems, sewage systems, road repairs and various other repairs that have long been needed in the capital, the mayor’s future plans also include the complete transformation of Eleftheria Square.
Zampelas informed reporters 1 that the architectural task of rebuilding the square had been given to internationally acclaimed architect Zaha Hadid.
The rejuvenation of the square aims to connect the old town from behind the walls with the new modern city.
“We aim to modernise the aesthetic view of the square and operate it in a way that will service pedestrians as an area of relaxation, social integration and public events,” the mayor explained.
For the time being, he said, priority has been given to the Kaimakli and Pallouriotissa “forgotten” areas, because rain water and waste from all over Nicosia eventually ends up in these districts.
Residents have continuously requested something be done about this, as the area seems to be constantly enveloped in a bad smell.
“The smell is indescribable. Sometimes it’s hard even to leave the house, it is that bad,” complained a resident of Kaimakli at the conference.
The same resident also raised another significant issue: that of dog waste. This has blown into a full-scale war between dog owners and disgruntled neighbours, who say it has got to the point where it is virtually impossible to walk down their street, without finding faeces scattered across the ground.
The mayor sympathised and informed residents that he would soon be installing contraptions around town, which will be equipped with plastic bags for dog owners to use once their pet has done what it needed to do.
