Nicosia invests €28 million in the renewal of the historic center

The Municipality of Nicosia continues to implement a large-scale program to renovate the old city with a budget of €28 million. This was announced by Mayor Charalambos Prountzos, who noted that the project is aimed at the comprehensive revival of the capital’s historic center.

In December, a grant agreement was signed providing for additional projects along the “Green Line”. These include the reconstruction of pedestrian streets and the renovation of building facades. The works are planned to begin in the near future.

According to the mayor, an important turning point was the establishment of the University of Kapodistrias in the old city. Medical students studying near the new municipal building have actively integrated into city life, and municipal student dormitories have received positive feedback from families.

At present, a second municipal dormitory is under construction, while facilities of the Archdiocese are operating in parallel, along with around 250 private student residences that are expected to be completed within a year. It is anticipated that by 2027 demand for student housing will exceed supply. In this regard, the municipality has appealed to the government to extend incentives for the construction of student housing.

Negotiations are also ongoing regarding the use of the Faneromeni area, involving the municipality, the Archdiocese, the University of Cyprus, and the Ministry of Finance. Prountzos emphasized that hosting a major public university in the historic center has always been a strategic goal of the city. The new proposal concerns relocating the archaeology department, which could attract around 200 students daily without the need for additional construction.

Infrastructure works in the old city are also gaining momentum. The reconstruction of Konstantinou Palaiologou Street is underway, the multi-storey car park on Ariadnis Street is being fully renovated, and projects are being implemented in the areas of the old town hall and the Ochi and Agios Antonios markets.

Special attention is also being paid to safety issues. Joint inspections involving the police, migration services, the fire brigade, and other agencies have identified illegal residence in hazardous conditions, illegal employment, as well as unsafe gas and electrical installations. Dangerous buildings were vacated and sealed.

The municipality has also improved lighting, road surfaces, navigation, and the cleaning system, which has already had a noticeable impact on the cleanliness and appearance of the city center.