Community social characterization
Municipality of Strovolos is the second largest Municipality in
Cyprus after Limassol, with a population of over 70.000 inhabitants in an area of 25km2.
Governance in the pilot case
U-SOLVE hub in Strovolos Municipality will offer an ideal anchor for the implementation.
Motivation of the pilot
The Pedieos River in the urban areas of Nicosia is dry most of the year. However, the river contributed to some of the 38 floods recorded in Nicosia from 1960 to 2012. Along the urban portion of the river, a linear park is under development.
Local governance profile
CyI (TRANS-lighthouses), Municipality, University of Cyprus, NGOs, schools, sport associations, private.
Target group
Families, including kids and elderly people. Traditional construction business sector. Unemployed youth.
Existing NBS applications and initiatives
NBS in Nicosia: 65 organised parks have been created; More than 250 green places – 340,000m2 in total; 40,000 trees were planted in public areas; 32 green areas with amphitheatres, lakes, fountains and 65 playgrounds.
Small scale NBS testing
Systems to rehabilitate urban river spaces and their services
(biofilters, retention ponds, riparian vegetation).
Leverage resources for NBS
>Climate adaptation plan for the Pedieos River basin developed
with local stakeholders (FP7 Science and Society BeWater Project); Digital maps and models; ENI CBC MED U-SOLVE project to implement hub with Strovolos community.
Challenges raised during the preparatory meetings
Interaction with local governmental institutions is challenging.
There is uncertainty as to whether they will accept/support the participatory process and any results being generated as the foundation of a real, impactful and long-lasting intervention in the area.
Environmental Challenges
Mitigation of heat island effects, reduction of flooding, refuge for urban biodiversity. Heavy pressure of climate change.
Who owns the land?
Privately owned; church owned; government owned.
Social Challenges
The consolidation and improvement of the park is threatened by urbanisation pressure, expansion of roads and parking lots, degradation of semi-natural areas.
Related projects to create synergies
U-SOLVE; Urban PERIScOPE; NEB-Stewardship Lab, BeWater.
Economic Challenges
The construction sector represents one of the main industries
and sources of employment. This generates pressure on the
urban environment towards new development and expansion
at detriment of green and public spaces.
Possible local partners, associations, initiatives and champions to be engaged
Strovolos Municipality; Library; University of Cyprus; Church;
Local SMEs; NGOs; Schools and Educational Communities; Local Sport Associations.