Works on Nicosia’s ‘commercial triangle’ will see some roads closed for next four months

By Stefanos Messios

Nicosia municipality on Wednesday announced that due to the continued works on the commercial triangle linking Makarios Avenue, Stasikratos and Evagoras Phase B, the section of Annis Komninis Street between Makarios Avenue and Stasandrou Street will remain closed to traffic for about four months.

At the same time, Iras Street will be temporarily converted from a one-way to a two-way street to help alleviate the traffic congestion.

The junction of Makarios Avenue and Bouboulinas Street will also be cordoned off for the installation of new pavements. Pedestrian access will remain unhindered.

“This project has been made a top priority of the development strategy of the Nicosia municipality, their goal being to make the capital’s urban shopping centre more competitive, attractive and both human and environmentally friendly,” an announcement said.

The project has adopted a high criterion of sustainable urban planning in a bid to update the functionality and aesthetics of the urban centre with a new coat of paint, installation of urban furniture and lighting.

It also hopes to increase foot traffic and make the centre more accessible to the disabled by creating bigger and uniform sidewalks, hoping to eliminate the uneven points between private, public pavements and the road. There will also be an addition of small squares for outdoor activities and the integration of water elements.

Also, there will be an increase in available shading with the planting of large mature trees and applying the principles of bioclimatic design, while also increasing the hours when pedestrians can move comfortably, installing a holistic system “smart city” which will be owned by the Municipality and improving all utilities while moving them underground.

Aesthetically and functionally, a single space will be created, an external “shopping centre”.

The project implements the provisions / actions of the Integrated Mobility Plan of Nicosia and the Area Plan of the centre of Nicosia to promote sustainable transport, enhance sustainable mobility in the urban area of ​​Nicosia as well as reduce carbon dioxide emissions.