AKAMAS IN ACTION
Lara Turtle Museum, Inia
8 February - 9.30am - 1pm
9.30-10am - reception and registration
10-1030am - Introductory Presentation
1030-11 - Presentation
11-1145am - Participatory activity
1145-1215 - Open discussion
1215-1 - Closing and acknowledgements
The team of J&G Engineering and Architecture is organizing an event entitled "Akamas in Action", which will take place on Saturday 8 February 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at Lara Turtle Museum and Educational Center, in Ineia, Paphos.
This event is held in collaboration with the TOPIO project, a European funded project focused on promoting sustainable practices and raising awareness about the importance of ecological and cultural protection of protected areas.
During the event, participants will be informed about the unique natural landscape of Akamas and the goals and work of the TOPIO project, as well as about the crucial role of citizen participation in the conservation of the Akamas forest and its unique biodiversity.
Update - Filenews by Dora Christodoulou
Landscape is a dynamic and multidimensional element, which is shaped by the constant interaction of natural and anthropogenic factors. However, in most cases, the importance of the landscape is overlooked during the design, creating interventions that affect its structure, functionality and aesthetics, often resulting in irreversible alterations.
The pioneering research project, entitled TOPIO, is a European project belonging to the category of Horizon programs, which is coordinated by Greek researchers and aims to develop techniques and methodologies for assessing landscape quality in areas of high environmental importance.
Seven European countries participate in the European Project, namely Greece with the Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (ITE-FORTH) based in Crete, Geosystems Hellas S.A. in Athens and the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature, Cyprus with J&G Engineering and Architecture Ltd., Italy with the University of Rome, Spain with the University of Seville, Portugal with the Technical University of Lisbon, Belgium with the University of Ghent and Estonia with the GEO University.
The project seeks to develop techniques and methodologies for assessing landscape quality in rural and protected areas, promoting their preservation and sustainable development. Within the project, special emphasis is placed on citizen participation and the use of advanced technologies such as geoinformatics and artificial intelligence. The project started on December 1, 2023 and ends on November 30, 2027.
Under the guidance of this high-level committee, TOPIO lays the foundations for a new approach to Landscape Management, integrating interdisciplinary research, technological innovation and citizen participatory process, with the aim of preserving Europe's Natural and Cultural Wealth.
"Akamas in Action" event
Within the framework of TOPIO, the team of J&G Engineering and Architecture Ltd. is organizing an event entitled "Akamas in Action", on Saturday, February 8, at the Ineia Turtle Museum.
This event aims to inform the public about the objectives and actions of TOPIO, with emphasis on the Akamas region, which is one of the seven study areas of the European Program.
The program of the event includes short speeches and activities aimed at highlighting the environmental value and importance of the landscape of Akamas. The coordinator of TOPIO, Dr. Dimitris Alexakis, from the Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH), will present the work and methods of practice, focusing on the example of Greece in the study of the area of Falasarna in Crete. At the same time, data and analyses concerning the landscape of Akamas will be presented, examining its natural, cultural and social dimension. The meeting will also be attended by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature, which deals mainly with the dissemination and dissemination of the program.
The Akamas peninsula is one of the most valuable natural and cultural landscapes of Cyprus. However, pressures from tourism, residential development and other human activities have led to alterations of the landscape.
Through TOPIO, information actions are organized for the public visiting and living in the wider area of Akamas, visits to the forest part through hiking, workshops and research activities aimed at informing and protecting Akamas as well as the active participation of the local community.
Also, partners from the University of Seville, the Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas and Geosystems Hellas have visited Akamas, while researchers from the University of Rome are expected to visit in April 2025 and in June 2025 from the University of Lisbon. The TOPIO project will seek to compare Akamas with other case studies in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Belgium.
TOPIO aims to put citizens at the heart of decision-making on landscape protection and management. The philosophy of the project is based on participation and new technologies, offering tools and knowledge for the sustainable development of rural and protected areas in Europe.
It focuses on the study of seven areas with different characteristics and challenges, using artificial intelligence and geoinformatics.
In Greece, Falasarna in Crete is an area that combines tourism, archaeological interest and agricultural cultivation. In Cyprus, the Akamas peninsula stands out for its unique biodiversity and its position as a national park. In Italy, an area of historical significance from World War II is being studied, while in Spain the focus is on an area with wind turbine installations. In Portugal, a rural area facing contemporary challenges is being examined, while in Belgium a peri-urban area with strong housing pressures is being studied. Finally, in Estonia, the project focuses on a Natura 2000 protected area.
TOPIO uses geoinformatics to capture and analyze landscapes, as well as artificial intelligence to assess the aesthetic quality of the landscape. One of the most innovative tools of the project is the creation of digital twins, which offer accurate representations of the study areas.
The event is a unique opportunity for the citizens of Cyprus to learn about the TOPIO project, participate in the debate on the future of the Akamas landscape and become part of a European effort that promotes sustainable development.
Participation in the event is free of charge, through optional registration.
The team of J&G Engineering and Architecture Ltd consists of the Architects Cristina Musacchio, Stella Koukossoula and Sofia Theodoridou, the Art Therapist Eva Manaridou, as well as the consultant Dr. Julia Tzortzi, landscape architect.
