The Cyprus Environmental Movement on Tuesday added its voice to calls to stop the destruction of the landmark teacher’s bank building in central Nicosia.
The Teachers’ Savings Bank building is an emblematic Modernist building constructed in 1969 and designed by architect Pefkios Georgiades.
“Architectural heritage is the bridge between our past and our future. The demolition of this building does not only concern a single structure, but our identity and culture,” the movement said.
“We call on all those involved to assume their responsibilities and contribute to the protection of the cultural wealth of our country,” it added.
The Cyprus Architects Association was as equally scathing. “The ongoing degradation and destruction of architectural heritage is the result of a provocative lack of political responsibility and respect for our cultural identity,” it said.
Instead of taking action to preserve such important buildings, the state chooses to favour uncontrolled development, offering urban planning incentives that often work to the detriment of the city, they continued.
Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou on a Monday said he doesn’t think it is possible to save the building at the last minute.
In the past though, landmarks have been saved, including the Puglia building, which was saved by the intervention of citizens, environmental organisations and architects.
“Demonstrating that there is a possibility to save the building with immediate and coordinated action,” the environmental movement added.
It called for the freezing of the demolition of the building or any other historical building until its cultural and architectural value is fully examined as well as the immediate revision of the Nicosia city centre plan to eliminate further uncontrolled development of the city in the area of the bank building.
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