Nicosia: A diverse and engaged group of stakeholders gathered at Strovolos Cultural Centre for a focus group discussion aimed at identifying critical issues and areas within the Pedieos River Master Plan that require immediate reconsideration. The Pedieos Master Plan is a vital component in shaping the future of Nicosia’s green infrastructure, public space, and environmental resilience. This collaborative activity, held under the framework of the TWIN2EXPAND project, marked a significant step in the ongoing co-creation process that integrates community insight with evidence-based spatial analysis.
According to Cyprus News Agency, this meeting marked an important step in the ongoing efforts of the SURF Lab to develop methods that actively incorporate community knowledge and perspectives, by combining qualitative data with data derived from quantitative evidence-based spatial analysis and findings from published research. Building on the outcomes of a previous focus group discussion in July 2024 and the recent in-depth spatial analysis research by the SURF Lab of the University of Cyprus, the session applied participatory methodologies to identify areas that should be considered as high priority and highlight topics requiring urgent attention.
The event comprised a comprehensive presentation of spatial analysis findings by Dr. Ilaria Geddes and Dr. Walid Abdeldayem, an engaging exhibition walk showcasing research findings and the work of participants from the TWIN2EXPAND 2024 Summer School, and a structured focus group discussion coordinated by Dr. Christina Panayi and facilitated by Michalis Psaras, and Marina Pasia.
Participants worked in two thematic groups: Environment, Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure and Public Space, Activities and Connectivity. The discussions were guided by urban challenges identified to date and concluded with a collective decision on the most pressing spatial priorities for the Pedieos Master Plan.
The group for public space, activities, and connectivity identified several priority issues, including connectivity with surrounding neighborhoods, greening and shading of routes leading to Pedieos, safety through acoustic and visual access along the park, the use of digital media to highlight the park’s benefits, fostering ownership through co-design, and ensuring quality and comfort of movement. These issues were mapped, and key areas requiring immediate reconsideration were identified.
The group working on environment, biodiversity, and green infrastructure noted the importance of revisiting broader environmental aspects across the park, such as the environmental footprint of interventions, waste management, safety concerns like lighting and flood protection, environmental education, and strengthening green areas. They emphasized ensuring a continuous chain of accessibility for people with disabilities.
The report summarizing the meeting’s outcomes will be shared with the participants and forwarded to the team working on strategic planning to contribute to reconsidering relevant issues.
The focus group involved participation from local residents and institutional representatives from the Cyprus Confederation Organization of the Disabled, Nicosia Inter-Municipal Development Company, Thiasos Architecture Studio, Agioi Omologites Elementary School, Organisation for Positive Urbanism, The Cyprus Institute, and Strovolos Municipality.
This event promoted collaborative urban planning, bringing together interdisciplinary expertise and local knowledge to inform the evolution of the Master Plan. It demonstrated how evidence-based planning and design practices, along with inclusive dialogue and community engagement, can enrich impactful, inclusive, and research-based planning and decision-making.
TWIN2EXPAND is funded by the European Union and UK Research and Innovation under the UK government’s Horizon Europe funding guarantee.