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Larnaca’s €130 Million Revitalisation Plan To Transform The City Over The Next Two Years

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 27, 2025

Larnaca is set to undergo a significant transformation with over €130 million worth of development projects scheduled for completion in the next two years. These initiatives follow the collapse of a €1.2 billion port and marina project in 2024, marking a shift in the city’s future planning.

At the heart of the transformation is a new public university faculty dedicated to marine sciences, technology, and sustainable development, valued at €20 million. This project, funded by the government and the EU, is poised to reshape the area near the old Larnaca airport, pending cabinet approval in 2025.

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The city’s marina will also be revamped, with a €30 million renovation plan that includes dredging works set to begin in 2025. The municipality will soon launch an architectural competition for a new yacht club building and landscaping, with construction slated to start next year. Meanwhile, the Centre of Marine and Maritime Research Innovation (CMMI) will manage the facility temporarily until an investor is identified.

Several other projects are set to boost the city’s infrastructure and quality of life. Among them are the Tsiakkilero refugee settlement recreation park (€2.3m), Pattichion Park (€6.7m), and an elderly care home (€6m), all expected to be completed this year, alongside flood channel improvements in Livadia (€3.8m).

Looking ahead, four major projects totaling €34.6 million will break ground this year and be finished by 2026. Notably, a €23 million sustainable urban mobility plan will introduce park-and-ride facilities and cycling lanes, alongside the renovation of Livadia’s core area (€3.6m) and the historic Agios Ioannis quarter (€8m).

The commercial center’s €13.3 million transformation is progressing well, with work on historic squares and pedestrian zones expected to be completed by late 2026. Additionally, the €17 million third phase of the Larnaca-Dhekelia road project is on track to be finished next year.

However, three significant projects worth €18.5 million are facing delays, including the old hospital conversion (€10.5m), the Archaeological Park (€4m), and the Salt Lakes Environmental Information Centre (€4m), the latter of which is slated to begin in 2027.

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Call for Reform: Cyprus Faces New Challenges with Emerging Tobacco Products

by News Editor

May 31, 2025

In the face of a burgeoning variety of tobacco products, existing smoking laws in Cyprus are struggling to keep pace, as highlighted by Christos Minas, the president of the Cyprus National Addictions Authority (AAEK). On World No-Tobacco Day, there was a push for legislative reforms to comprehensively cover all tobacco forms, including non-nicotine alternatives.

Addressing Rising Trends with Effective Policies

Minas emphasized the surge in popularity of e-cigarettes and flavored products, particularly among the youth. The proposed legal updates aim to enhance enforcement efficiency against these emerging trends.

In collaboration with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) framework, the AAEK has established the first set of national guidelines for smoking cessation in Cyprus, crafting prevention and treatment strategies based on robust scientific evidence.

Educating Youth and Public Awareness Initiatives

Efforts are underway to raise awareness, with informative materials distributed to secondary schools across Cyprus. A public event in Nicosia highlighted the state’s ongoing commitment, providing carbon monoxide testing and expert advice on new tobacco products.

Recent data from the Cyprus general population survey 2023 indicates that 38% of smokers have used e-cigarettes recently, and the smoking initiation age remains at 18.

A Glimpse into Youth Smoking Patterns

According to the latest European school survey, 14% of Cypriot students aged 15-16 reported smoking traditional cigarettes last month. Although this rate is declining, Cyprus still ranks high in Europe for e-cigarette and hookah use among students.

The concern is global, with WHO reports showing over 37 million children aged 13-15 engage in tobacco use, driven by aggressive marketing in loosely regulated environments.

The urgency for reform is clear: before these trends solidify, proactive measures are necessary to protect future generations from potentially hazardous habits.