Filenews 11 September 2021 - by Angelos Nikolaou
The last available coastal area in Limassol, the area between the old and the new port, is going to be upgraded in quality through the changes that will be made to the Limassol Centre Area Plan. It is essentially the area of the old wine industries and other industrial premises, which remained stagnant in terms of development. Through the plans there is the prospect of shaping the future road network of Aktaia Odos, which will improve the accessibility on the coastal front west of the marina and will organically connect the new port with the coastal multifunctional park and through it, with the historical centre of the city. The Limassol seafront is one of the most important places of promenade, sports, relaxation and recreation for residents and visitors alike.
Speaking to "F", the mayor of Limassol, Nikos Nikolaidis, said that now there is a unique opportunity for this last part of the coastal front that remained unexploited, to be properly upgraded and create "a city within the city".
He added that this is an area of particular interest which is expected to be the economic centre of the city and be dedicated to the need of man for contact with the water element and the natural and built environment.
With special incentives, the existing listed buildings will be highlighted and exploited to be converted into museum, cultural and recreational spaces. With the implementation of traffic management measures, a wide waterfront will be created along the coast, with main use by pedestrians and cyclists and the definition of zones for the creation of office, residential and hotel units, in balance with the rest of the uses.
According to Mr Nicolaides, the road will not be two-way, but one-way, and emphasis will be placed on the media. In private plots it is allowed to develop hotel units, with balance in the uses of listed buildings. The state will provide the infrastructure with the embankment to the sea, the sewerage network and the roads.
This innovative element, mentioned by Mr. Nikolaidis, will bring differentiations in the plan of the Limassol centre area and in two other sub-areas.
The area between the old and the new port is one of the most important areas of the Limassol urban complex with special developmental characteristics. Incentives are proposed for the relocation of existing industries and the implementation of an integrated design of the area to become a complex pole/ space, acting in support of the centre and adapting to the challenges of new technology, economy and cultural development. Within the framework of this design, it is proposed to modify the existing urban zones (Eb6, Eb4, Ba4, Ka3, Ka4) as well as to differentiate the functional characteristics of the Aktaia Odos.
It is noted that following a recommendation by the Ministry of Interior, it was decided to issue a decree for the establishment of a White Zone for the area of the Limassol Centre Area Under Amendment.
The Limassol centre area plan has been completed by the Urban Council and the Strategic Environmental Impact Study (SEA) has been submitted to the Department of Environment. If a positive opinion is obtained, then the way is opened for publication. It is expected to be adopted in the first months of 2022.
The total area of the study area is approximately 4 km2, while the length of the coastal front abutting the coastline is approximately 4.5 km. It is noted that the existing area plan was approved in 2006.
Upgrading of zones in the wider area of the old Hospital
The area plan of the centre area under amendment, apart from the area from the old to the new port, includes the area from the old port to the GSO. Also, two new areas are incorporated and therefore the plan is expanded with new boundaries. The new areas that are included concern the north-western area of the centre west of Gladstonos Street. Essentially, this is a new area in which the siting of Higher Education Schools is proposed. There, it is proposed to implement the development of the second pole of TEPAK, which will be based on a General Spatial Plan (Master Plan) that will be approved by the Director of the Department of Town Planning and Housing, as a Planning Authority, taking into account the views of the Local Authority. This is an important urban intervention of the proposed plan, with a significant increase in the building coefficient in the area where the construction of the 2nd pole of cut is planned, a fact that will contribute to the increase of densities and at the same time to the increase of traffic and the required parking spaces. It is proposed to upgrade the development factors of the area where the siting of the second pole of TEPA K is planned. in the wider area of the old Hospital (A' Technical School, Third Urban School, old Hospital, etc.). Specifically, it is proposed to modify the Zones of Public Uses Aa4 and Aa6 to Aa10 (increase of DM from 0.50:1 and 1.0:1 to 1.60:1 and at the same time increase the number of floors to 5).
The second is the north-eastern area of the centre east of Agia Zoni Street where it is proposed to increase entrepreneurship and strengthen the existing economic pole
Replacement of existing aged buildings
With the aim of upgrading the aesthetic image of the coastal front defined by the section on 28th October Street (from the old port to the old GSO), new zones of public use (AA) are defined, which is expected to increase the level of public facilities since the construction of a Swimming Pool is being promoted by the Limassol Municipality in this area.
This area is characterized by tall buildings, many of them obsolete, which cut off the central area from the sea. It is proposed to exclude the coastal front from the Area of Special Character and its designation as an Area of Aesthetic and Qualitative Upgrading, as well as the granting of urban planning incentive (increase of the DS from 0,20:1 and 0,30:1) under certain conditions, under certain conditions, to encourage the qualitative upgrading of the coastal Zone 2a and Pa4a. In this way, the new buildings that will be erected will be able to have a height of up to 12 floors.
The implementation of this proposal will contribute to the aesthetic upgrading of the space (replacement of existing aging buildings) and on the other hand to the creation of visual escapes / openings to the sea, to avoid the impression of continuous construction along the beach. In addition, the free space at ground floor level will be increased.
Also, the proposed plan foresees the configuration of Ayia Napa Square and its connection with Agiou Andreou Street as well as with the coastal avenue. Therefore, any development of the plots inserted between the temple and the coastal boulevard should allow the direct visual connection of the temple with it and at the same time ensure the unhindered passage of the public between the surrounding area of the temple and the avenue.
