A €28 million program is now in full swing to upgrade and restore old Nicosia. Mayor Charalambos Prontzos said the Municipality is working hard on projects to revitalize the walled city.
A funding agreement signed last December includes more work along the Green Line. This will improve pedestrian areas and restore building facades, with work set to start in the early months of the year.
University Presence as a Catalyst
The arrival of Kapodistrian University is boosting the area. The mayor mentioned that medical students studying near the new town hall are getting involved in the historic center’s life. The municipal student residences have also received great feedback.
Meanwhile, construction of a second municipal residence is moving forward, along with new accommodation spaces from the Archbishopric. About 250 private student residences are expected to be finished this year. Estimates show that by 2027, demand will outstrip supply, with licensed institutions already announcing positions for the 2026 academic year. The Municipality has asked the government to expand incentives for creating student housing.
Developments on Faneromeni Issue
Talks are ongoing about the Faneromeni issue, involving the Municipality, Archbishopric, University of Cyprus, and Ministry of Finance. Mr. Prontzos stated that a key goal is to have a public university in the historic center.
A positive vibe has emerged after support from the Archbishop for moving a university department to the old Faneromeni school, as long as there’s a strong daily student presence without new buildings. The updated plan includes the Department of Archaeology with around 200 students, following an agreement made in 2021 between the state, church, university, and Municipality.
Infrastructure Projects and Interventions
Infrastructure projects cover many parts of the old city, like upgrading Konstantinos Palaiologos Street and fully renovating the multi-story parking facility on Ariadne Street. Work is also happening around the old town hall, OXI market, and Agios Antonios market.
Safety and Living Conditions Inspections
Coordinated efforts involving various state services — including justice, immigration, police, fire brigade, tax authorities, and EAC — led to inspections of buildings with dangerous living conditions. Cases of illegal employment were found, and unsafe gas and electrical setups were removed.
The mayor talked about unacceptable exploitation practices by property owners against vulnerable people.
Cleanliness and Cross-Border Collaborations
The Municipality has also improved lighting, signage, and road surfaces while changing cleaning contractors with noticeable results.
The historic center, affected by division since 1963, remains a top priority. Proposals have been sent to the President for improving residents’ daily lives near the buffer zone.
An agreement with Turkish Cypriot Mayor Mehmet Harmanci is seen as very important. Supported by the EU and UN development program, it aims to extend Pedieos walking route northwards within the buffer zone as a significant bicommunal project.
“People today seek authenticity,” said Mr. Prontzos while sharing his vision for Nicosia within its walls.
