Construction works have started on the first phase of the Pedieos River Project in Nicosia, according to the European Commission.
Implemented by United Nations Development Programme, this EU-funded effort marks the beginning of on-site improvements that will enhance public space, access to nature and the overall connectivity around the river flowing through Nicosia.
The first phase covers 1.2 kilometres of works, including a two-way bicycle lane, a sidewalk and a green belt forming an access route leading towards the river. Construction began at the end of November and is expected to conclude by the end of February 2026. When completed, this part of the project will offer safer and more comfortable walking and cycling path, said a Commission press release.
Connecting two halves
The work is part of a larger EU-funded plan to create a 3.7 km linear park in the northern part of Nicosia which will also connect to the southern parts of the city through the Ledra Palace crossing. The project will provide more places for leisure, improve the natural environment along the river and create shared public spaces that support everyday interactions. According to the press release, by bringing communities together, the project contributes to wider peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts in Cyprus.
The Pedieos River project builds on extensive preparatory work, including a feasibility study carried out by the European Commission in 2018-2019. UNDP finalised the design in September 2024, drawing on environmental studies and input from different stakeholders.
Trust and integration
“With this investment, the European Union aims to restore the river environment, enhance local biodiversity and support a more sustainable and better-connected urban landscape, while helping to foster trust through improved shared spaces,” said the Commission.
The project is funded under the EU’s Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, launched in 2006, which aims at facilitating the reunification of Cyprus by encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community. Particular emphasis is given to the economic integration of the island, to improving contacts between the two communities and with the EU, and to preparing the north for the EU body of laws (also referred to as acquis communautaire).