On Monday, September 22, Yiannis Armeftis presented to Cyprus’s Minister of Interior, Konstantinos Ioannou, a strategic plan for urban renewal. The discussion focused on three priority areas: the seafront modernization project, relocating the shipyard outside the city center, and redeveloping the sites of the old hospital, the central police station, and the former post office.
New Seafront and Relocation of the Shipyard
The main goal of the coastal zone reconstruction project is to create a convenient, green, and fully pedestrianized space. According to the mayor, the city intends to abandon the idea of a wide coastal highway, instead turning the area into a public space open to both residents and tourists.
Relocating the shipyard is a key condition for the plan. Armeftis stressed that the shipyard will retain its economic role, as Cyprus is actively developing as a maritime services hub, with five modern marinas driving demand for vessel maintenance. Alongside the search for a new site for the shipyard, the authorities are preparing to announce an architectural competition for the best seafront redesign project.
On September 27, a large-scale campaign will begin to clean the seabed and beaches in the coastal area, serving as a preparatory stage for further recreational development. According to the plan, access to the new seafront will be restricted to pedestrians and public transport. Authorities are considering the introduction of special bus routes and are even exploring the prospects of rail-based transport.
University and New Public Spaces
Special attention is being given to the site of the former city hospital. The mayor emphasized that the municipality does not seek ownership of the land but supports the Cyprus University of Technology (TEPAK) project to establish a modern campus there.
In the future, the 42,000 m² site could be transformed into a mixed-use area with university buildings, administrative offices, research centers, and a spacious city square. The plan also envisions connecting this part of the city with TEPAK’s new campus near the Technical School and water tower.
The former police headquarters building may be converted into a modern conference center, with adjacent public spaces for meetings, events, and student activities. This approach aims to revitalize the city center and create an educational and business cluster serving the entire region.
Limassol — A City of the Future
According to the mayor, all the initiatives presented share a single goal: to build a sustainable, innovative, and welcoming Limassol, open to both residents and visitors. The concept is based on cooperation between the state, the municipality, and the private sector.
In the coming years, Limassol will undergo large-scale transformation. The city aspires to become not only the business hub of the Eastern Mediterranean but also a comfortable place to live, study, and relax, where modern infrastructure, nature, and culture are harmoniously combined.