An Analysis and Review of the Divided City of Nicosia, Cyprus, and New Perspectives

ABSTRACT

Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus for the last ten centuries, is currently Europe's last divided city, with the northern (Turkish) and southern (Greek) sections separated by a UN buffer zone. This continuing division is central to the city's ongoing problems, restricting development and creating complex problems for future planning.

Despite the divide, and continuing political uncertainties, a substantial proportion of the Cypriot population are hopeful of future reunification, and efforts are being made on both sides to revitalise Nicosia in an integrated fashion. One significant achievement has been the formulation of the Nicosia Master Plan, a ground-breaking, bi-communal template for the city's revitalisation. This article provides background information on Nicosia's historical evolution, urban structure and current conditions, before focusing on some of the recent planning initiatives and programmes, namely the Nicosia Master Plan and its complementary rehabilitation programme. An overview and interpretatation of political-administrative and planning structures for Nicosia provides a sound basis for discussing the possibility of creating a more sustainable city.