The Department of Environment has issued positive approval for Paphos’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP), which aims to transform transport infrastructure across the greater Paphos area by 2030.
The SUMP covers Paphos Municipality, neighbouring municipalities of Geroskipou and Pegeia, plus 16 communities including Agia Varvara, Agia Marinouda, Armou, Achelia, Chlorakas, Kissonerga, Konia, Lemba, Mesa Chorio, Marathounda, Mesogi, Tala, Timi, Emba, Tremithousa and Tsada.
Five strategic objectives
The mobility strategy centres on five core objectives: economic efficiency of transport, accessibility and social inclusion, environmental sustainability, road safety, and quality of life improvement. Transport demand is projected to increase 17.1% by 2030 under current demographic and urban development trends.
Strategic Scenario 2, selected as the optimal approach from three alternatives, delivers the greatest positive impact across all five objectives. This scenario significantly enhances public transport, implements controlled parking management, and integrates environmentally-friendly solutions.
Major infrastructure developments planned
Significant developments scheduled through 2030 include the American University of Beirut-Mediterraneo campus, CUT expansion, Coral Beach Hotel & Resort additions, establishment of AUB Medical School, conversion of Paphos General Hospital to University Hospital status, and Neapolis University development.
Urban regeneration projects encompass historic and commercial centre renovations in Anavargos traditional quarter, southern commercial district of Paphos, Theoskepastis Square in Kato Paphos, and the Historic Centre & Museum of Historical Memory around the former Police Station.
Transport infrastructure
Key road infrastructure projects include the coastal highway connecting Chlorakas-Kissonerga-Lemba, Paphos western bypass road, Archbishop Makarios III Avenue in Geroskipou, improvements to Geroskipou traditional core and Kato Vrysi-Geroskipou, plus Phase III enhancement of Apostolou Pavlou Avenue.
Public transport improvements target major routes with increased frequency. Morning peak passenger volumes on Archbishop Makarios III Avenue will rise from approximately 100 to 250 passengers. Apostolou Pavlou Avenue will see increases from under 50 to approximately 150 passengers per direction, whilst Poseidonos Avenue passenger numbers will triple from 50 to 150.
Enhanced services on Ellados, Agapinoros and the Chlorakas-Kissonerga-Lemba coastal highway will double or triple existing passenger capacity.
Environmental impact assessment results
The Strategic Environmental Impact Study identifies 81 positive or neutral positive impacts from plan implementation, compared to only four negative impacts deemed reversible through appropriate mitigation measures.
Negative impacts occur primarily in environmentally sensitive areas affecting soil, groundwater and surface water, mainly due to interventions in areas lacking adequate infrastructure. Mitigation measures include detailed environmental studies for individual projects and area restoration following construction completion.
Monitoring and mitigation framework
Environmental monitoring measures include strict adherence to environmental conditions throughout all project phases, avoidance of work within or near protected areas, adoption of “green” technologies and climate-friendly designs, promotion of electric mobility and soft transport modes, public awareness campaigns and enhanced participatory processes.
The plan secures 85% EU Cohesion Fund financing through the “Competitiveness and Sustainable Development” operational programme, with 15% national funding.
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