Nicosia Municipality is pushing ahead with plans to open Makariou Avenue to private vehicles on weekdays, from morning until afternoon, arguing that easier access to the city centre could help increase footfall and revive commercial activity.
But let us start with the basics. Nicosia Deputy Mayor Chrysanthos Fakas, speaking yesterday on Politis radio, admitted that there is no study proving that bringing cars back to Makariou will increase commercial activity.
So why open it?
Why make a decision that will once again change the character of an avenue in which millions have been invested, without first trying everything that could genuinely bring people there?
At Christmas, Makariou fills up. When there are events, music, lights and activities, people come into the city centre.
So the public has not turned its back on the centre. People simply need a reason to go.
And the question is what happens during the rest of the year.
Where are the concerts? Where are the markets selling local products, the outdoor exhibitions, creators' markets, children's activities and festivals?
Why shouldn't Nicosia residents know that something will be happening on Makariou every weekend?
And when something is happening, people will shop, have a coffee and stay for a meal.
When we ask why more events are not organised, we are told that this is not the municipality's job. Shopkeepers, on the other hand, say it is not their responsibility either.
So whose responsibility is it?
The municipality does not need to become a concert organiser, nor do shopkeepers need to become event planners.
They should work together.
Hold a public consultation with residents. Commission a professional events company to develop an annual programme of activities and see, in practice, whether it can change the picture.
After all, the Academy of Urbanism, an independent London-based non-profit organisation specialising in urban planning, proposed night markets and events in its diagnostic study of central Nicosia, carried out in cooperation with Nicosia Municipality and the Team Nicosia initiative and revealed by Politis two weeks ago.
When it comes to traffic, the study points in the opposite direction.
It proposes restricting cars, introducing Park and Walk, potentially Park and Ride with free bus travel, and trialling car-free days, including on Makariou Avenue.
And yet here we are discussing bringing private cars back.
The logical course of action, before reopening Makariou to cars, would be to commission independent experts to carry out a comprehensive study.
Let them tell us what the avenue genuinely needs to regain commercial life.
Alternatively, try a full year of regular events and measure the results.
Give residents more reasons to go there.
Because if cars are allowed back, bringing traffic, noise and exhaust fumes with them, it may be very difficult to reverse course.
