Cyprus Ambitious plans

webbo · professor

Limassol unveils ambitious project to transform city centre
By Anna Hassapi

LIMASSOL Municipality yesterday unveiled plans for the transformation of the town’s historic centre and seafront, with a view to revamping the image of these areas, as well as better accommodating citizens’ needs.

This will be done through the overhaul of the town’s centre and sea reclamation area, as well as the creation of Garyllis Linear Park.

“These are ambitious and innovative projects because they aim significantly to alter the appearance of the town’s centre,” said Mayor of Limassol Andreas Christou.

The municipality will work on these projects in co-operation with Town Planning, and most of the funding will be provided by the EU structural funds. The total cost of the three projects will reach €22-24million, 85 per cent of which will be covered by the EU funds.

The municipality yesterday presented the preliminary plans for the town centre and sea reclamation area, while plans for the Garyllis Linear Park are being prepared. The completion of the sea reclamation and town centre projects will take approximately two years, while the third project is expected to start in 2010 and be completed by 2011.

“In June, the plans will be submitted to the government, and we aim to start work by 2009,” Christou added.

The plans for Limassol’s historic centre were based on an Area Plan, the traffic study conducted by Metsovion University for the placement of TEPAK, as well as on the Limassol Local Plan. The main aim of the project is the protection and projection of historic and cultural elements, as well as the town’s architectural heritage.

The project involves the development of a new and improved traffic network, which will encourage walking and the use of public transport, as well as the creation of 600 parking spaces. The town’s public transport network will be significantly improved, while walking will be encouraged through the creation of wider pavements and tile-paved areas

Four new squares will be created at the Mediaeval Castle area, Saripolou Street, University Square near the Town Hall, and the B’ Municipal Market square. The plans also encourage the placement of public service providers in underground sites.

The plans for the seafront area envision the creation of a multi-functional seaside park at the side of the current sea reclamation area. The area will be revamped through the creation of additional services for visitors, including cafes, bicycle lanes, pedestrian walks and a small theatre for cultural events. In addition, more parking spaces and benches will be created along the seafront strip.

Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2008

That's the extra parking places taken care of then.!!! Laughing

purdey · lecturer

They try and get rid of cars and then create more car parking ? I also thought they had spent millions around the castle, seafront. No wonder my friend Petros is jumping up and down with rage.

roseandchan · instructor

i'm outraged that eu funding is making limassol pretty.

rawk · instructor

I think we ought to apply for EU funds to make Limmasol more ugly!

rawk

Niki · lecturer

I'm delighted! The seafront area has the potential to be fantastic and I already love the area around the castle.

roseandchan · instructor

what about the eu tax payers? someone finds the money from somewhere. at the moment your new to the eu so your holding your hands out to reep the benefits, which other people have been paying for. see how you feel when turkey joins and your hard earned tax builds up resorts wasting money. e.u money should only be used for needed projects of infastructure and helping needy people, not so you can park your car.

cyprusgrump · lecturer

webbo · professor