athalassa park — athalassa park — The proposal to extend Glafkos Clerides Avenue through the Athalassa National Forest Park is raising significant concerns among Nicosia residents about potential threats to their life expectancy.
The Nicosia Municipality’s plan has come under scrutiny from political factions within the House Internal Affairs Committee, ignited by a submission from Democratic Party (DIKO) MP Christiana Erotokritou. This proposal, which aims to alleviate traffic flow, is being viewed as a potential threat to the environment and public health.
Committee Chairman Aristou Damianou emphasised the Parliament’s unwillingness to approve any urban development that could harm natural spaces. “We have not been convinced that all possibilities have been exhausted. It is the easy solution to increase traffic flow, but the aim is to deal with problems without sacrificing green spaces,” he stated firmly, asserting that under current data, the project should not proceed.
As the discussion unfolded, concerns deepened following testimonies from experts. Dr. Stavros Malas, President of the Cyprus Institute, presented alarming data indicating that the new road could increase exposure to Particulate Matter (PM 2.5) by 2.5 times. Drawing from research by NASA and the European Environment Agency (EEA), he warned that such an increase could lead to a reduction in life expectancy of six to twelve months for many in Aglantzia, with children facing the most severe impacts.
Christiana Erotokritou described the potential construction as an “irreversible mistake,” highlighting the Athalassa National Forest Park as the “largest green lung of Nicosia.” She expressed disbelief that in 2025, there would be discussions about reducing national forest areas to accommodate new roads. She announced plans for DIKO to propose an amendment aimed at blocking budget allocations for the project, framing the issue as not merely fiscal but also political and social.
Charalambos Theopemptou, from the Movement of Ecologists-Citizens’ Cooperation, voiced accusations against the Town Planning Department, suggesting a long-standing agenda to route roads through the park. He referenced previous unauthorised asphalt work within the park and argued that the current proposal is part of a larger scheme involving new junctions that would further encroach on green spaces.
Stelios Ioannou, representing the Initiative for Aglantzia, critiqued the logic behind expanding roadways to accommodate increasing vehicle numbers. He cited successful examples from European cities like Utrecht, Paris, and Barcelona, where urban planners are opting to reduce car traffic to create pedestrian-friendly spaces instead.
