Limassol, Cyprus. Cyprus University of Technology (Tepak) is awaiting formal approval from the department of town planning for the concession of plots in the Berengaria area as plans advance for a research and innovation centre.
Project aims and cooperation
The project is being implemented in cooperation with the Cyprus Association of Research and Innovation Enterprises (CARIE) and is based on a memorandum already signed between the two sides. It aims to bring companies, researchers, students and specialised university infrastructure into the same space.
Status of plot concession and land use change
Speaking to Entrepreneurial Limassol, a periodical published by the Limassol Chamber of Commerce (Evel), Tepak rector Professor Panayiotis Zaphiris said the university considers the concession of the plots to be effectively agreed, although official approval has not yet been received.
Zaphiris said the land belongs to the Ministry of Education and that the process mainly concerns a change of use, allowing the area to be used by the university instead of for school facilities.
Local and ministerial correspondence
Zaphiris said the goal is to create a centre where companies can work directly with the university, while also giving students and start-ups access to an environment similar to those seen in technology parks abroad.
He said there was also a letter from the Municipality of Polemidia stating that it does not wish to use the site for schools as originally planned.
Zaphiris said CARIE president Tasos Kounoudes has sent a letter to the relevant ministries, with a positive response already received from the Interior Minister.
Next steps and planning competitions
Zaphiris said the department of town planning and housing has asked to first submit its position on the plots before the project can proceed further.
He also said Tepak has agreed with the Scientific and Technical Chamber of Cyprus (Etek) to launch architectural competitions for the spatial planning of both the Berengaria area and the university’s second pole at the old Limassol hospital.
He said the planning for Berengaria already includes space for the proposed innovation and research centre, while the wider masterplan will set out guidelines for the development of the area.
What do you think the research and innovation centre could change for companies and students in Limassol?
