ETEK submits comprehensive Nicosia city center revitalization plan to the President

The Scientific and Technical Chamber of Cyprus (ETEK) has submitted a formal proposal to President Nikos Christodoulides aimed at revitalizing Nicosia's city center. The report, titled 'Upgrading the Nicosia Urban Center – Applicable measures, implementation mechanism and roadmap,' follows a series of structured workshops involving various professional, academic, and business stakeholders. ETEK identifies the lack of a centralized coordination and accountability mechanism, rather than a lack of ideas, as the primary reason for the failure of previous urban projects. The plan includes 12 specific measures, such as imposing taxes on abandoned properties and providing incentives to increase residency in the city center. Additionally, the proposal calls for a 'Delivery Office' to oversee implementation under direct political supervision. The report criticizes past ad-hoc interventions, specifically citing traffic changes on Makarios Avenue that were implemented without sufficient support infrastructure, such as public transport and perimeter parking. ETEK characterizes the project as a matter of national importance, stressing its potential impact on economic resilience, social cohesion, and the country’s image.