Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos has outlined an ambitious vision to transform Old Nicosia into an authentic historic centre populated by students, visitors, residents and small businesses, backed by a €28 million regeneration programme signed last month.
The municipality signed the grant agreement on 19 December 2025 for additional Green Line regeneration projects in Nicosia’s municipal district, Prountzos told Phileleftheros in an exclusive interview. The funding will support pedestrian street renovations and facade restoration work beginning early this year.
The opening of the Kapodistrian University branch marks a turning point for Old Nicosia, according to the mayor. Medical School students now studying in a building next to the new town hall have praised their experience, with parents comparing the municipality’s dormitories to a hotel, Prountzos said.
The municipality is building a second dormitory to supplement existing facilities operated by the Archbishopric and approximately 250 private dormitories due for completion within the year.
However, these will prove insufficient as EKPA has already advertised positions for the 2026 academic year with all licensed schools recruiting, meaning dormitories will reach capacity by 2027.
The municipality has requested government continuation of the student dormitory incentive scheme, Prountzos said.
Faneromeni dispute
Behind-the-scenes efforts are underway to resolve the dispute over the University of Cyprus Architecture School at Faneromeni, involving the municipality, Archbishopric, university and Finance Ministry, according to the mayor.
Prountzos told Phileleftheros that bringing the major public university to the historic centre “has always been a fundamental objective to which we remain absolutely committed.” He said conditions are being created for a positive outcome and expects to reach a favourable agreement.
Infrastructure improvements
The municipality is upgrading Konstantinou Palaiologou street with full renovation of the multi-storey car park on Ariadnis Street, alongside smaller projects in the Old City and renovation of church buildings for academic use by universities.
Work is improving the area surrounding the Old Town Hall and the “Ochi” Popular Market, Agios Antonios Old Market and Agios Antonios Park next to Olympiakos stadium at Promachonas. The Agios Antonios Park contract has begun, whilst Agios Kassianos Park will be completed soon.
The School Board is investing in schools near and within the Historic Centre in line with its 2018 strategy to make them attractive to young couples again.
Early this year, the municipality will begin facade beautification work on pedestrian streets. Funding has been secured for full pedestrian street upgrades, with the Municipal Council to decide after dialogue with businesses and residents.
Security operations
A coordination scheme involving the Justice Ministry, Migration Deputy Ministry, Police, Tax Commissioner, Fire Service, EAC and the municipality has produced significant results in restoring legality and security through joint operations, according to Prountzos.
Authorities issued evacuation and sealing orders for buildings where people lived in illegal and inhumane conditions. Some buildings were evacuated voluntarily by owners after cooperation with authorities.
Operations uncovered tax evasion, illegal employment, residents living in Cyprus without the necessary permits who were deported, and dangerous gas cylinder installations and illegal electrical modifications that were removed.
Authorities found cases of overcrowding in unsanitary conditions. “Shameful situations, primarily for the owners, many of whom are getting rich through the exploitation of these people,” Prountzos said.
The municipality enhanced lighting, replaced street signs with ETAP, carried out asphalting and replaced cleaning contractors, with improvements now visible in Old City cleanliness.
Vision for authenticity
Prountzos wants Old Nicosia to become an authentic historic centre with students, visitors, residents and small businesses. The area from Trikoupi to Famagusta Gate already shows regeneration, helped by urban improvements and affordable rents that attracted young people and new businesses.
The municipality wants to see the same revival from Trikoupi towards Paphos Gate, whilst preserving landmark businesses including “Matthaios”, “Melissa”, “Zannetos” and “Tria Fanaria”.
The Historic Centre has experienced the consequences of division since Christmas 1963. The municipality has submitted recommendations to the President that could significantly improve the situation in and around the Buffer Zone, strengthen cooperation and trust between communities, and improve daily life for all Nicosia residents.
The start of extending the Pedieos linear park into the Buffer Zone and occupied Nicosia after decades of fruitless attempts, following an agreement with Harmancı supported by the EU and UNDP, points the way forward, according to Prountzos.
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