Architects call for ‘immediate re-evaluation’ of Akamas construction

The Cyprus Architects’ Association on Friday called for an immediate re-evaluation of the construction being carried out in the Akamas area.

They added that the competent ministries and all parties involved should also evaluate “any subsequent projects, with the aim of forming a unified plan for Akamas based on international standards and transparent procedures”.

Plans should “respond to the local needs of the area, recognising and utilising the natural biodiversity,” they said.

They added that they “welcome any action aimed at demarcating the main road network within the Akamas national park, to safeguard the ecosystem from the negative impacts of visiting traffic.”

They also said they were “particularly concerned to see intense construction activity within an environmentally sensitive area, causing serious alteration of the landscape and soil.”

Additionally, they specialised consultants and experts must be included in the process of evaluating and planning works in the region.

This aligns with the words of ex-scientific advisor for the Akamas special environmental assessment Klitos Papastylianou.

He told the Cyprus Mail on Thursday that “if these actions are not undertaken promptly, soil erosion and irreversible degradation of habitat and land features will be the result.”

He also spoke of the “huge” ecological and financial damages are the fallout from the already-confirmed deviations from the planned roadworks.

Construction in Akamas has currently been put on hold by contractor Cyfield while the issues surrounding construction are being resolved.