Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus should move beyond measuring success in real estate by the number of projects completed and focus instead on how development affects daily life, according to Eleftheria Voskaridou, founder and managing director of Blackbook Agency.
She said the next phase of urban growth on the island should be judged by whether projects improve quality of life, create a sense of place and contribute positively to the surrounding city.
Shift from growth to impact
Voskaridou said Cyprus has experienced significant development over the past decade, with towers rising, neighbourhoods changing and real estate becoming one of the island’s most visible growth sectors.
After more than 20 years working with developers, investors, architects and consultants across Cyprus and Greece, she said the key issue is no longer only what is being built, but how projects are changing the way people live.
She said the strongest projects begin with a basic question that is often overlooked: who the development is being built for.
Challenges facing cities
According to Voskaridou, Cyprus has been successful in attracting investment and encouraging development, but the main challenge now is to ensure growth takes place in a successful and meaningful way.
She said that as cities expand, more attention is needed on what that growth looks like and how it affects everyday life. She identified infrastructure, mobility, public spaces, sustainability and quality of life as key areas requiring greater focus.
Voskaridou said the discussion should move beyond the number of developments being built and concentrate more on the type of environments being created.
Need for a broader urban vision
Voskaridou said new developments should be assessed not only as individual buildings, but also by how they fit into the surrounding city and whether they contribute something positive.
She said the central question for Cyprus is whether its cities are becoming better places to live and work as development continues.
Asked whether Cyprus is building cities with a long-term vision or remains focused largely on individual developments, Voskaridou said the country is moving in the right direction, but there is still room for a broader perspective.