In Paphos, the installation of an elegant metal canopy over the Laiki Geitonias area, the city's historic commercial centre, has been completed.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Paphos Mayor Fedonas Fedonos stressed the importance of the project, saying that a city without a vibrant centre is a city without an identity.
The new structure covers Agora, Nikolaidis, Miaouli and part of Kyriakou Mavrou streets, which are home to dozens of shops, cafes and other establishments. The canopy is designed to protect workers and visitors from the scorching sun and provide more comfortable conditions for walking and shopping in the historic part of the city.
The Mayor noted that this project is another step towards transforming the centre of Paphos into one of the most attractive and visited urban areas in Cyprus.
We set this goal ten years ago and today we are confidently moving towards its implementation step by step, Fedonos said.
It should be noted that the Paphos municipality has invested more than €35 million in the development of the city centre in recent years.
More than eight major projects have been implemented, including the construction of housing in the People's Quarter (Laiki Gitonía) and the reconstruction of streets, buildings and public spaces. According to the mayor, there are now more than 65 shops in the area of the Municipal Market and the People's Quarter, including some that had been empty for decades. Thanks to the renovation, many of them have reopened.
Two small museums are due to open in the centre of Paphos in the near future. There are also plans to open a new vegetable market and launch programmes to renovate buildings, both facades and interiors. According to Fedonos, the recent approval of the construction of four small hotels in the city centre with 20, 25 and 32 rooms is particularly encouraging.
This is an encouraging sign. We are inspired to continue in this direction and believe in a bright future for the centre of Paphos, the mayor concluded.