Nicosia, Cyprus. The technical chamber, Etek, has proposed transforming the Venetian moat and surrounding perimeter of old Nicosia into a continuous linear park from Paphos Gate to Famagusta Gate. The plan is part of a broader strategy to restructure and revitalise the capital’s historic centre.
Proposal framework
The proposal was submitted to President Nikos Christodoulides on Tuesday and sets out a framework in which the moat is developed as a continuous path for pedestrians and cyclists.
Etek said the intervention is intended to create a unified urban system rather than isolated green segments.
Standards and implementation
The report said that without common technical standards, including lighting, signage and furniture, the project risks becoming fragmented.
“The linear park must be delivered in phases with a unified design identity and guaranteed maintenance,” the report says.
“Otherwise, the result is disconnected interventions that do not form a coherent whole.”
The report recommends multi-year funding arrangements for the pathway, staged construction and continuous monitoring to avoid partial delivery or abandonment.
Broader strategy and oversight
The proposal forms part of Etek’s strategy for the capital, which also includes education facilities and cultural hubs.
Etek also proposed the establishment of a watchdog operating under a presidential mandate to oversee implementation across ministries and local authorities.
The office would conduct quarterly reviews and produce an annual public report on progress.