EUKN Policy Lab

Compact City Planning

Instruments

“The development of positive planning in Cyprus, the present existing instruments in use and

first thoughts to improve it”

Theodoros Hadjigeorgiou

Town Planner Officer A’

Assembly Member & NFP EUKN EGTC

1. Cyprus: Existing Situation

Regulation and management of Development through:

• Local Plans• Planning Instruments

Urban Sprawl: (a) Problems with:

• Affordable public transport• Affordable housing• Accessible public services

The National Strategic Reference Framework for Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 programming

document for Cyprus

1. Land speculation, adequate access

2. Traffic problems and almost total absence of public transport systems

3. Parking problems

4. Lack of adequate cultural and community facilities and amenities

5. Lack of enough urban parks, green areas and public spaces

6. Lack of adequate public infrastructure in tourist areas

7. Lack of enough urban parks, green areas and public spaces

8. Delays in the implementation of urban infrastructure

9. Degradation of the urban space and environment

10. Lack of basic urban utilities

11. Mixing of incompatible uses

Urban Sprawl:(b) Impact (OECD) in:

• Social cohesion• Economic value• Environment value

Urban Sprawl:(c)• leads to greater distances, generating more demand for travel and

expenditure on improving transport systems.

• leads to changes in urban densities, most commonly a reduction in densities in the urban core and an increase in densities towards the periphery.

• usually involves the conversion of previously rural land into urban use

2. Urban Sprawl

3. Existing Planning Instruments

The Department of Town Planning and Housing:• Develops a limited number of social housing units • Reconstructs villages destroyed by earthquake (Statos - Ayios

Photios), land sliding (Kivides) or dam construction (Alassa)• Develops new housing areas and subdivisions for the displaced

families due to the Turkish invasion in Cyprus in 1974• Supports housing schemes by advising District Officers • Plays also a leading role in the rehabilitation of historic centres• Promotes the Urban Land Consolidation (U.L.C.) bill• Through Local plans provides incentives for the development of

affordable housing

The District Officers

The Cyprus Land Development Corporation

Cyprus Housing Financing Agency

Questions for exploration:

• What are the incentives that local/ planning authorities can provide to the private sector to play a more active role in the urban development of Cyprus and achieve the objectives of local development plans? 

• What are the policy tools that can improve the practice of urban planning in Cyprus and guarantee a sustainable development of Cypriot urban areas?

Thank you