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Limassol Targets Metropolitan Park Expansion Across Multiple Areas

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 18, 2026

Limassol Mayor Yiannis Armeftis has unveiled an ambitious proposal to integrate the Polemidia Forest Park in Ayia Fyla with adjacent municipal land, aiming to establish a metropolitan park that bolsters urban green space and promotes sustainable development.

Strategic Expansion For Urban Green Space

The proposal targets approximately 40,000 to 50,000 square metres of land currently occupied by the Limassol recruitment training centre (KEN). The mayor emphasized that this initiative marks the preliminary step in a broader transformation, designed to extend the benefits of a sizable suburban park to the entire metropolitan area. In a conversation with Entrepreneurial Limassol, a publication by the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Evel), Armeftis detailed that these plots, potentially unused by the defence ministry, have already been identified on maps forwarded to Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas.

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Navigating Governmental Coordination And Institutional Planning

The mayor’s plan includes upgrades to public infrastructure around the existing forest park, aimed at supporting walking, running and other recreational activities. Discussions with Defence Minister Palmas remain at an exploratory stage, with the ministry expected to review the proposal based on the submitted plans. Armeftis also referred to a meeting with Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou in 2025, noting the need for a coordinated master plan under the ministry’s jurisdiction, as the Ayia Fyla forest falls within its remit.

Regional Collaborative Efforts For Sustainable Development

The initiative forms part of a broader regional collaboration involving the municipalities of Limassol, Amathus and Polemidia, alongside academic partners including the University of Cyprus, Cyprus University of Technology and Frederick University. Current efforts focus on securing the required land before finalising a master plan that will define the metropolitan park’s boundaries.

Mayor Armeftis said the phased approach reflects international practices, where military infrastructure is relocated to support long-term urban development.

The Polemidia forest area is planned as the first phase of the project, with future expansion expected to connect surrounding areas, including the Polemidia dam and other green zones across Limassol. The initiative, first introduced in 2022 under the “Integrated Limassol Development” framework, addresses urban expansion while supporting environmental planning.

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Bitcoin Surges 23% In A Week As Investor Optimism Returns

by News Editor

August 21, 2026

Bitcoin was on track for a weekly gain of around 23% on Friday as a series of positive macroeconomic and policy developments boosted investor sentiment.

The cryptocurrency was trading about 6% higher at roughly $77,000, up from around $62,800 at the start of the week. Crypto-related stocks also rallied, with Coinbase and Circle gaining more than 9%, while Strategy rose 7%.

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Macro Factors Fuel Rally

Bitcoin’s latest surge began Wednesday after Treasury yields fell sharply following a major intervention by the U.S. Treasury in the bond market. Lower yields eased pressure on risk assets and helped trigger a broader move into cryptocurrencies.

The rally was further amplified by a major short squeeze. Around $2.7 billion in crypto short positions were liquidated, according to CoinGlass.

Max Stuedlein, head of Partnerships at Sygnum APAC, said the move reflected an alignment of macroeconomic and policy catalysts, including the Treasury’s decision to increase buybacks of longer-dated government debt.

Clarity Act Boosts Sentiment

Investor confidence improved further on Thursday as the White House and crypto industry leaders made a final push to advance the Clarity Act in the coming weeks.

The legislation is widely viewed as a potential catalyst for the crypto market, although its chances of passing remain relatively limited.

Despite the rally, bitcoin remains well below its 2026 high of $94,820 reached in January and its all-time high of $126,198, set last October.

Analysts See More Volatility Ahead

Lucy Gazmararian, founder and managing partner at Token Bay Capital, said the crypto market may be approaching the end of its bear cycle.

She expects bitcoin could experience one more decline of around 20% before the market turns, pointing to historical cycles and the recent liquidation of heavily leveraged short positions.

Gazmararian also described bitcoin as a long-term hedge against monetary debasement, while warning that its short-term price remains highly volatile and driven by market cycles.