Polemidia is currently among the fastest growing areas of Limassol, with large private and public investments gradually changing the character of the municipality. The development of the Berengaria area, the creation of student dormitories and new university facilities, the development of new residential zones and significant commercial investments create a new landscape.
At the same time, growth is accompanied by serious challenges, the main ones being traffic, infrastructure needs, housing and the management of everyday life.
In an interview with "F", the mayor of Polemidia, Andros Theodorou, presents his vision for the municipality and states why he believes that Polemidia can develop into a university campus. He talks about the challenges created by the great change, the main one being the traffic problem, which is currently one of the biggest problems of the Limassol district that directly affects the Municipality of Polemidia.
"I have said many times that the Municipality of Polemidia is the municipality of development. Really, the developments we have in front of us today are huge", he underlines, saying that the development concerns the entire area of the municipality, from Berengaria and the livestock area to the commercial zones.
The developments that are underway concern both the private and public sectors, with investments in school units, university facilities and other specialized uses. These are the area of Berengaria, the livestock area, the vertical road of the port, but also commercial developments, such as those on Makedonias Avenue, Nikou Pattici and the area bordering the supermarket on Paphos Street. "There are large developments in the area of CUT, but also in the area of the hospital, where there is interest in creating private universities."
The mayor estimates that this development creates significant benefits for the municipality, as it enhances revenues and creates conditions for greater financial autonomy. "When there are such developments, there are also revenues to the municipality. Our goal is to become a more autonomous municipality, so that we can better respond to the needs of our citizens."
Polemidia as an educational hub
A central role in the new image of the municipality is played by the area of Berengaria, which is developing into an educational center. "Our goal is for the Municipality of Polemidia to become a university campus. Already, we have the area of Berengaria, where the CUT has erected 502 student dormitories. There will be the schools of Agriculture and Mechanical Engineering, as well as the Research and Studies Center "Eratosthenes"".
As he states, there is potential for further development of the area. "The Municipality is in cooperation with the CUT and the state for the further development of the area. We believe that more schools can be hosted in this area"
At the same time, educational developments are expanding further north, with the construction of the Jewish school where it is expected to accommodate about 2,500 people, while there is also interest north of the new hospital, where there are large areas that can be used. "There are large plots that private universities are looking for. In order for such a development to take place, large areas of land are needed and there is already interest from private individuals."
At the same time, as he told us, an application for preliminary views has been submitted to the EOA for a large private educational development in the area of House & Garden, which concerns the creation of a Primary School, Gymnasium and Lyceum.
The great challenge of infrastructure
The development of the Municipality of Polemidia creates new needs in infrastructure, with traffic being the biggest problem today. "We have a disorderly development in Limassol and not only in the Municipality of Polemidia. Perhaps at this moment as we speak, we have experienced it quite intensely as a municipality. Surely the biggest problem will be the traffic problem."
Mr. Theodorou notes that the main priority is the construction of the Northern Bypass. "All the mayors have agreed that our first goal is the construction of the Northern Bypass. For the Municipality of Polemidia, a large part concerns the Cooperative Street, which reaches Evagora Laniti and the new Technical School."
At the same time, he refers to the importance of the opening of Anthoupolis. "We are very close to the opening of Anthoupoli in September. It is a project that has been underway for 20 years and perhaps today it is the most mature project we have in front of us."
As he notes, the goal is to provide solutions to citizens who face daily trafficking problems. "We will provide solutions to the people who are currently trapped by the creation of the Paphos bypass road, in the area of Anthoupoli but also in a large part of Ipsonas, especially during peak hours."
Parking and the need for new infrastructure
The development that is underway in the Municipality of Polemidia creates additional needs, especially in relation to parking. The municipality is considering solutions, mainly in the area of Evangelistria, where increased traffic is expected due to the new university facilities. "There are some plots in Berengaria that border Panagia Evangelistria. We are thinking of asking the state for them and in cooperation with the CUT to create parking spaces, so that the area, the developments and the visitors who will come can be served."
At the same time, he also refers to the parking space created in the area of the former biological station of Berengaria. "The park and ride is taking place in our municipality, which was the biological station of Berengaria and I hope that it will serve a lot of people. At the same time, we are trying to find other spaces in the surrounding areas, outside the center of Polemidia, such as in the region of Macedonia, in order to create parking spaces and help the traffic problem."
Cleanliness is the biggest problem
In addition to the traffic problem, the mayor of Polemidia characterizes cleanliness as the biggest issue facing the municipality today. "From the first moment we took over, both I and the entire municipal council have been working collectively to develop this municipality. The biggest problem we face today is cleanliness."
As he states, despite the efforts of the municipality, the uncontrolled deposition of pruning and bulky objects continues to create problems. "While there are the green points and there is the municipal service that can collect either rubble or pruning every day, unfortunately, they do not help us. We are cleaning an area today and on the same day there is rubble and pruning again."
Mr. Theodorou notes that the municipality has significantly strengthened the cleaning effort. "We have three trucks and all three are full every day. They go almost twice a day to Skyra Vasa to deposit objects or pruning in the green spots. The municipality often does no other job than cleaning."
Mayor of Polemidia
At the same time, he points out that the reform of Local Government has increased the responsibilities of the Municipalities without corresponding financial support. "The responsibilities we have undertaken after the reform are very increased and the money given to us by the state is much less than what corresponds to the obligations we have undertaken. It is not our goal for the reform to succeed through increases. We want it to succeed and the state has an obligation to support the Municipalities."
At the same time, he points out that the reform of Local Government has increased the responsibilities of the Municipalities without corresponding financial support. "The responsibilities we have undertaken after the reform are very increased and the money given to us by the state is much less than what corresponds to the obligations we have undertaken. It is not our goal for the reform to succeed through increases. We want it to succeed and the state has an obligation to support the Municipalities."
The merger of Pano and Kato Polemidia
Among the positives of the reform, the mayor records the merger of the two departments. "The positive thing is that the services have been merged. We are lucky because we have taken the apartment of Pano Polemidia." As he explains, Pano Polemidia has particular problems, as they are largely refugee settlements, with several houses remaining abandoned due to property and inheritance issues.
"There are problems, as several houses are abandoned, either because the owners have died or because there are issues with inheritances and relatives are not interested in their utilization." Despite the difficulties, Mr. Theodorou characterizes the merger as a natural development, as the two areas essentially form a single geographical unit. "Where the boundaries of the Municipality of Kato Polemidia stop, the boundaries of Pano Polemidia begin. With the merger, we can plan and implement projects more comprehensively."
In relation to the further development of the area, the mayor states that the main priority is to change the Local Plan and increase the building coefficients in Pano Polemidia. "Our goal is to give the opportunity to young couples and especially to families who are struggling financially, to be able to use their properties and build one or more floors. Today the rate is 70%. I think we can give the opportunity to go 100%, so that we can attract the new world again."
Relocation of livestock area and new residential development
The relocation of the existing livestock area is another big bet for the municipality. "By the end of 2027, several livestock farmers who want to leave the profession will be compensated. There is a plan from the state that will compensate about €900,000 to these people."
For those who wish to remain in the profession, he notes that the creation of the new livestock zone must proceed. "The state must speed up the process of expropriating the land that exists in the new livestock zone to the Vati area, so that those who want to remain in the profession can move."
At the same time, the old livestock area is being converted into a new residential zone. "About 12 to 13 houses have already been built. While a private individual has proceeded with the separation of about 200 plots and there are already some buyers who have submitted applications for permits to the EOA."
The mayor points out that this new development will require timely planning. "If we calculate that each residence will have two vehicles, in 10 to 15 years there will be a huge problem if the necessary infrastructure is not built."
The Turkish Cypriot plots and the housing issue
One of the most important issues affecting the development of the municipality is the large percentage of Turkish Cypriot plots. "About 60% of the municipality are Turkish Cypriot plots. This creates problems for rational development, because many times Greek Cypriot properties are enclosed by Turkish Cypriot properties."
Mr. Theodorou states that he has submitted proposals to the President of the Republic and the Minister of the Interior for the development of this land. "Many of these plots are located in the core of Polemidia and could be given to poor families and refugee families, so that prefabricated houses can be erected and part of the housing problem can be solved."
As he notes, the cost of housing has become one of Limassol's biggest problems. "A high-end prefabricated house can cost up to €70,000. Today, the purchase of a house reaches half a million and an apartment of €300,000. A young couple finds it difficult to both buy and rent."
The mayor emphasizes that changes in land uses are needed in order to make better use of the available property. "It cannot be that in 2026, in the center of Polemidia or on a road of primary importance such as the Northern Bypass, there will be plots that remain agricultural. Housing solutions must be provided and a change of use must be made where necessary."
In conclusion, he notes that the utilization of these pieces can be an important part of the solution. "With our suggestions, solutions can be provided and the housing problem can be solved to a large extent."
