Dimitris Lambrianides *
Once a bustling stadium, the old GSP site in the heart of Nicosia has been reborn as a park with shops and parking, a project that adds to the capital’s ongoing transformation into a modern, safe, and above all accessible city, particularly for people with mobility challenges and wheelchair users.
But the effort doesn’t end there. Next on the agenda is the long-awaited upgrade of Evagorou Street’s sidewalks, a project that will connect the former GSP site with Makarios Avenue, Stasikratous, and the surrounding streets, ultimately creating a seamless central district in Nicosia where everyone can move around with comfort and safety.
Today, Nicosia sets an example for how Cyprus’ other cities can become more human-centered, built for walking rather than driving. Just two decades ago, however, the capital looked nothing like it does now. For people with mobility disabilities in particular, the change has been dramatic: today they can visit the city center with family or friends, find covered parking with accessible restrooms, and enjoy the streets with comfort and safety.
Blue card holders (those entitled to use disabled parking) park free of charge in all municipal lots across Nicosia. Each space is equipped with an intercom system, offering round-the-clock assistance from a representative. Such a level of service is important, as the quality of service in managing infrastructure is just as crucial as the creation of the infrastructure itself in order to attract citizens.
Equally important has been the reconstruction of sidewalks. Since 2015, the Municipality of Nicosia has completed many projects constructing safe and uniform sidewalks in various neighborhoods, reaching almost 100 kilometers in length. Such infrastructure creates and complements the chain of accessibility that allows citizens, especially those with mobility difficulties, to move easily and safely in their neighborhoods or toward the city center. The reconstruction and creation of new sidewalks is an absolute necessity if we are to offer citizens a network of safe pedestrian routes.
Surrounding municipalities, however, continue to struggle with problematic sidewalk networks. Too often sidewalks end abruptly at vacant plots, narrow to unsafe widths, or are blocked by overgrown plants, in some cases treated by homeowners as extensions of private property. We hope that soon all municipalities will give proper importance to the reconstruction and creation of suitable sidewalks.
In addition, we expect Parliament to give police officers and traffic wardens the tools for more effective monitoring and reporting of those who park illegally on sidewalks. Our request is for them to be able to issue fines based solely on taking a photo and sending the ticket. We hope soon to see positive developments and that the problem of illegal parking will finally be addressed responsibly and without hypocrisy. The goal must be to protect sidewalks for use by pedestrians, especially the elderly, children, and persons with disabilities.
Disability is, to a large extent, a social construct, the result of cities and buildings that were not designed for everyone. In the center of Nicosia, where accessibility is prioritized, you feel less “disabled,” because movement is possible, simple, and safe.
We thank those who worked at the Municipality of Nicosia and the government departments for bringing us to this level, and the European Union which generously funded these projects. Special thanks to the members of the municipal councils whose decisions have transformed the heart of Nicosia with care and humanity.
*Dimitris Lambrianides, President of the Cyprus Paraplegic Organization.