Larnaca municipality is executing or preparing to launch infrastructure projects worth approximately 30 million euros in the rapidly developing areas of Livadia and Oroklini, areas experiencing unprecedented property demand following the relocation of oil storage tanks.
The investment programme targets the two districts that have seen massive growth over the past two years, driven primarily by land freed up after the removal of petroleum storage facilities that previously dominated the coastal area.
Larnaca Mayor Andreas Vyras told Phileleftheros that the municipality views itself as unified and prioritises launching projects that are already mature whilst simultaneously developing new ones to ensure substantial development intervention in the municipal districts.
Historic centre restoration projects advance in Oroklini
Oroklini, a multicultural district home to residents from 33 nationalities, has one major project underway with four others planned, including one expected to begin within months.
The centrepiece is a 3.5 million euro historic centre restoration project that received recent approval from the Interior Ministry and will be co-financed by the EU.
Deputy Mayor of Oroklini Neophytos Fakontis said tenders for construction work will be announced within days, adding that the approval opens the path for completing the final three sections of the historic neighbourhood restoration project.
Old residences have already been converted into restaurants and galleries, whilst some houses operate as tourist accommodation. The restoration work is expected to begin in 2026 and will cover Georgiou Fotiou, Antheon, Anexartisias, Agias Aikaterinis, Andrea Demetriou and Eirinis streets.
A major coastal road project between Larnaca and Dhekelia is also advancing, though the third phase worth over 17.5 million euros will face justified delays of approximately 10 months, according to the Public Works Department.
The project will create a 3.5-kilometre road network including four traffic lanes, paved pavements, cycle paths, green spaces and four roundabouts, significantly upgrading the tourist area’s road network.
Livadia faces infrastructure challenges amid unprecedented growth
The Livadia area faces much larger infrastructure needs due to unprecedented development following the clearing of extensive land after the removal of oil tanks on the city’s seafront.
The area’s core restoration project is set to begin within weeks after contracts are signed with the successful contractor on Monday, 22 September. The urban development project, costing approximately 3 million euros, includes restoration work on part of Makarios Avenue, which will be paved, along with pavement improvements.
Deputy Mayor of Livadia Marios Armenis said recent meetings with the Larnaca mayor resulted in decisions to mature additional core-related projects including restoration of Agias Paraskevis Park and Agnoumenon Square, plus expansion of the Memory Museum of Basket Weaving.
Other major projects under implementation include creation of an Environmental Park and a peripheral municipal school. Among smaller projects, two of 12 reconstructed parks will be completed next month using funding exceeding 500,000 euros.
Key road project delayed until 2028
The most significant project for Livadia, the extension of Panagoulis Avenue, remains delayed despite interventions by Larnaca municipality.
Although classified as of primary importance, the extension has never been implemented, despite the Regulatory Plan being prepared since 2009. The project, originally estimated at 12 million euros, has become more urgent due to development and safety concerns arising from the large volumes of vehiclesusing a road with two schools.
“The project must proceed because there is tremendous development and it is a shame and unfair that appropriate infrastructure does not exist,” Armenis noted, adding that “people are at risk.”
However, according to a recent response from the Town Planning Department, the project is not expected to begin before 2028, representing delays of nearly 20 years.
The municipality is also completing flood protection channel beautification work costing 4 million euros for the first phase alone, which, beyond protecting Livadia from flooding, relates to the development of the former refineries area.
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