They are dismantling the pedestrian street that crosses the Municipalities of Nicosia, Strovolos and Lakatamia, known as the Pedieos Linear Park, in the sense that they will dig at a depth of about one and a half meters in order to form a new road surface that will replace the existing material (pouri).
The replacement of the material, which is a broken small-grained aggregate, is done because it is easily damaged and therefore often needs maintenance. The excavation and replacement of the material has a cost and contributes to the launch of the project to €30 million. Although it is not the only change that costs the redevelopment of the pedestrian street, which extends over a length of 11.8 kilometers.
The excavation is considered shallow and is considered necessary for the installation of the necessary infrastructure (irrigation and water supply network, electrical and smart city systems). As for the road surface itself, it will be paved with a suitable (also) water-permeable material which is suitable for hiking and cycling and is more durable. Two separate lanes will be formed on the pedestrian street, one for pedestrians and the other for cyclists, with a width of 2 meters each. According to the study (I.A.CO Environmental & Water Consultants Ltd), in some places where there is more space, the lanes will reach up to 2.40m. width. In the middle of the two lanes, new poles will be placed for the lighting fixtures and landscaping will be done with shrubs or small trees.
Interest was aroused from the beginning by the configuration of 14 pedestrian bridges that are proposed and for the purpose of informing the citizens, depending on the area they live in, we record the points of their installation:
The first will be formed within a Buffer Zone in Nicosia, the second on Nikou Georgiou Street, in Agioi Omologites (upgrading of an existing crossing), the third on Olympiados and Stratigou Ioannou Tsagaridis streets (Agioi Omologites), the fourth on Kolokotroni Street (Presidential Palace area), the fifth on Strovolos Avenue ("Agrotis" bookstore area), the sixth on Elia Venezi and Vosporou (Strovolos) streets, the seventh on Elaionon Street (Strovolos).
The rest fall within the boundaries of the Municipality of Lakatamia as follows: The eighth on Anagenniseos Street (PAEK stadiums), the ninth in the area of the Fire Station, the tenth at the height of the stadiums of the "THOI Lakatamias" Association, the eleventh at Ioannis Kapodistrias Street (upgrade of an existing one), the twelfth next to the Health Center (Lakatamia), the thirteenth at Sporadon Street and the fourteenth at the height of the Anthoupoli High School.
Construction projects are expected to begin in July 2027 and be completed by February 2029.
Phase B, which includes the remaining areas, will be executed at a later stage with construction works expected to start in December 2028 and be completed in June 2030.
The study area was divided into 15 sub-areas, from the beginning of the linear park next to the new Archaeological Museum, to the area of Anthoupolis.
It is noted that the existing Linear Park is planned to be extended by about five kilometers and includes a new pedestrian / bicycle path on the north/west bank of the river (where there is available space) and the connection of the project with the parks of Agios Dimitrios in Strovolos and Michalakis Sophocleous in Lakatamia. The project will be extended to Anthoupolis.
Along the entire length of the Linear Park there will be access for the disabled.
For the safety of visitors, where it is not possible to create a pedestrian bridge, light-controlled pedestrian crossings will be formed in a curve (at the height of the sidewalk) with a floor of cobblestones or other material in the color of the sidewalk to give a sense of continuity. In addition, as stated in the study, smart light-controlled crossings can be installed (especially in places where increased attention is required due to traffic flow) which will include motion sensors, LED lighting, surveillance cameras and audible alerts, to ensure the smooth and safe passage of citizens, with a particular focus on inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities (PWD).
Creation of new playgrounds and refreshments with natural materials
In addition to the disabled, emphasis is also placed on children and among the actions that will be formed are Nature playgrounds or natural playgrounds or more simply we are talking about the creation of a playground with an adventure character. The aim is to improve health and learning in childhood. For this purpose, toys will be placed with natural materials (wood, rope) and the possibility of climbing so that the user has the feeling of being among the trees. The soil in these spaces will remain natural or be paved with sand, without the use of hard surfaces.
And because when children play, adults must have something to pass the time or enjoy their coffee, and so on, kiosks – shops – refreshments will be formed. In particular, small prefabricated kiosks and refreshments made of natural materials (e.g. wood) are proposed to be in harmony with the environment and will be used for the sale of various products. As stated in the study, these constructions will be light, without the need for a permanent foundation and with a small footprint. The kiosks will have an area of 9 square meters each, while the refreshment stands 30-50 sq.m. Refreshment stands will offer beverages or ready-made snacks, while the relevant developments will not concern restaurants or large cafes.
Of course, it remains to be proven in practice whether the refreshment stands will be converted into restaurants and so on.
And because we live in Cyprus, where we have learned to enter everywhere with our cars, a new fence is proposed along the river (where necessary) in order to prevent motor vehicles from entering the riverbed. There will be an exception to controlled points through which there will be access for municipal crews and emergency vehicles.
Low walls of concrete or natural stone are proposed in gabions 40 cm high along residential – landscaped areas which can also be used as seats. It is also proposed to install metal mesh along uninhabited – unformed areas.
It is also proposed to configure the entry points with metal submersible bollards, which allow the entry of ambulances to predetermined points. In addition, in places where the pedestrian street is near the riverbed where there is a significant altitude difference, wooden fences will be installed to protect visitors from falling.
