Limassol Mayor Unveils Five-Axis Urban Strategy Focused on Coast, Mobility and Neighbourhoods

Limassol, Cyprus. Mayor Yiannis Armeftis presented on Monday a strategy for urban Limassol centred on upgrading public spaces, encouraging sustainable mobility and revitalising neighbourhoods. The plan rests on five core axes.

Five core axes

The axes are reconnecting the city with its coastal front, building a new sustainable mobility network that includes green routes, and regenerating Ayia Sophia Street while linking the linear Garyllis park to the sea. They also cover the continued regeneration of the historic centre of Ayia Fyla and the upgrading of public squares and parks.

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Coastal front

Armeftis said a cycling and pedestrian lane has already been created from Limassol Marina to Alexandria street. The new design aims to extend that link to the new wall and to promote the wider regeneration of the area.

He described the objective this way: “The goal is to create a continuous coastal front with greenery, safe walking and cycling routes, sports and recreation areas, which will strengthen the connection of the western districts with the sea and create new prospects for the area.”

Green routes

Planning for the green routes will move ahead with a single network of about 20 kilometres. It is intended to link neighbourhoods, schools, parks and commercial areas with the coastal front. The network follows the principles of the “15-minute city”, which seeks to give residents safe and attractive ways to make daily trips by bicycle or on foot.

The project is to include urban greenery and shading. It is also meant to act as an environmental upgrade that increases the city’s resilience to climate change.

Ayias Sofias street

The plan provides for upgrading Ayias Sofias street, covering roughly 5km of roads and pavements. It also includes a 2.5km bicycle path, the planting of 260 trees and the creation of 569m² of green spaces.

Historic centre of Ayia Fyla

Armeftis described the revitalisation of the historic centre of Ayia Fyla as the municipality’s fourth planned project. He said it is a municipal effort to upgrade public spaces while preserving the area’s cultural and historical identity.

The design is to include better access, the “reorganisation” of public space and the highlighting of what he called “elements of collective memory”. The aim is an upgraded historical core that keeps its character and identity while meeting the modern needs of residents.