Filenews 11 December 2025
The Cyprus Architects Association calls on the competent authorities to ensure that new housing initiatives are fully aligned with the principles of the European Green Deal and the values of the New European Bauhaus, i.e. sustainability, inclusion and aesthetic quality. The Association's intervention comes after the government's decision to promote the construction of 500 residential units on state land, a development that is characterized as an "important first step", provided that it will be accompanied by integrated planning.
The Association emphasizes that, due to the scale of the project and its direct impact on the urban landscape, development must follow transparent procedures, with quality standards and active social participation. At the same time, there is strong concern about the decision to use the Design & Build method, which, according to the architects, limits the architectural dialogue, degrades the independence of the design and reduces the possibility of evaluating alternatives.
The Association notes that international practice for social housing projects prefers an Architectural Competition or at least a competition of ideas before choosing a Design & Build method. This, as mentioned, allows for the development of sustainable neighbourhoods, enhances transparency and informed choice of solutions, while contributing to creativity and the upgrading of public space.
It is emphasized that social housing is one of the most important challenges of our time and that the need for housing should not lead to mass production of housing without vision, which can create isolated and incoherent housing enclaves. Architects warn that such approaches go against the principles of a sustainable and socially balanced city.
In conclusion, the Association calls on the State to adopt in practice the values of the New European Bauhaus, pointing out that sustainability, inclusion and aesthetic quality are not a luxury, but a prerequisite for the creation of humane, healthy and functional neighbourhoods. He also declares that he is ready to cooperate with the Ministry of Interior and the competent bodies.
