A group of Engomi residents has submitted an extensive memorandum to the House of Representatives opposing government plans to develop the State Fair site, calling instead for its conversion into a national park serving as a “green lung” for Nicosia.
The Initiative for a Humane Engomi represents thousands of Engomi and greater Nicosia inhabitants seeking to transform the former State Fair grounds into a major urban park.
The memorandum condemns a 14 September 2022 Council of Ministers decision authorising extensive construction including offices, co-working spaces, hotels, conference centres, apartments, commercial establishments, restaurants, cafes, research and innovation centres, and bus terminals accommodating over 80 vehicles.
Current proposals mandate only 20% green space, including rainwater retention facilities.
Supporting infrastructure includes new avenues (including Makedonias Avenue), six roundabouts and large parking areas, prompting concerns about quality of life degradation.
Political support
Some institutional developments strengthen the initiative’s position:
- 30 April 2024: Former Nicosia Mayor Constantinos Yiorkadjis endorsed national park creation in writing
- 6 November 2024: Nicosia Municipal Council unanimously requested government plan withdrawal and municipal management for metropolitan park development
- December 2024: All parliamentary parties froze State Exhibition planning funds and suspended Macedonia Avenue construction financing during 2025 budget discussions
- 26 February 2025: Nicosia District Local Government Organisation President Constantinos Yiorkadjis and new Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos publicly opposed Makedonias Avenue construction
The initiative stresses that the State Fair site represents the final unified state parcel within Engomi municipal district boundaries in an already densely populated area. A conversion into a national park would provide long-term environmental, social and health benefits for the capital.
Government plan implementation would intensify pollution, noise pollution, light pollution and traffic congestion whilst dramatically affecting neighbourhood unity by severing internal connections through new avenues and junctions.
The memorandum references European and international commitments including the European Green Deal’s 55% emissions reduction target by 2030, the Biodiversity Strategy 2030 for increased urban green infrastructure, UN Sustainable Development Goals (particularly Goal 11 for sustainable cities), and the Aarhus Convention guaranteeing citizen rights to environmental decision-making participation.
The Initiative for a Humane Engomi states: “We are hundreds of active citizens who do not accept decisions about us, without us.” Signature collection continues targeting 2022 planning decision cancellation and urban forest creation serving all Nicosia.
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