Larnaca Municipality has announced that the redevelopment of the Agios Ioannis area has entered its final stage. The concluding phase will begin in September. The cost of the works is estimated at €6.272 million excluding VAT.
Larnaca Mayor Andreas Vyras and representatives of the municipal council met with residents and property owners affected by the works to explain the upcoming stage. It includes extensive road excavation works and the gradual introduction of traffic management changes as construction progresses. The project is aimed at a comprehensive upgrade of the area, from road infrastructure to public spaces.
Roads and pavements will be redesigned in favour of pedestrians
The redevelopment includes the repair and improvement of the road network, wider pavements and upgraded public spaces. At the same time, utility infrastructure will be modernised, including the relocation of services underground.
One of the main changes will be a new approach to traffic management. The Agios Ioannis–Mosque axis is planned to be converted into a pedestrian zone, public squares will be connected, parking areas will be reorganised and public transport routes will be changed. In this way, the area is expected to gradually shift from a model focused mainly on cars to a sustainable urban mobility concept in which priority is given to pedestrians, cyclists and people with disabilities.
More greenery and attention to historical heritage
The project also provides for the planting of new trees and an increase in green spaces. The redevelopment is intended to highlight the historical and cultural value of the area. Particular attention is being paid to landmarks such as the Church of Saint John the Theologian, the historic bathhouse and fountain near the mosque, as well as the Tuzla Mosque. By upgrading the streets and public spaces, the municipality hopes not only to improve everyday infrastructure but also to make the historic centre more attractive to residents and visitors.
The project is jointly funded by the Republic of Cyprus and Larnaca Municipality. The contract provides for 24 months to complete the construction works. Once the redevelopment is finished, the municipality hopes to breathe new life into the historic core of Agios Ioannis and create a new point of attraction in Larnaca.