Strovolos has entered a development trajectory eighteen months after Stavros Stavrinidis took office as mayor, though the municipality faces significant revenue losses from the transfer of building permit responsibilities to Nicosia District Local Government Organisation (EOA).
When the new administration took over, it found “prolonged stagnation, both in matters concerning the city’s image and in creating new infrastructure for residents”, Stavrinidis told philenews.
The new municipal council has made specific interventions aimed at more effective and citizen-friendly service, staffing the Citizens Service Office whilst emphasising cleanliness and green space maintenance in the city.
Parish councils were established so citizens have direct access to the municipality, raising issues and problems directly with the mayor for resolution. “It was a pre-election pledge of mine to give voice to every Strovolos resident,” Stavrinidis said.
€870,000 for athletic centre
Infrastructure upgrade projects have advanced, including the Glafcos Clerides Municipal Athletic Centre with new padel and basketball courts and a professional-grade track. The project secured around €870,000 from the Interreg Greece-Cyprus VI 2021-2027 programme.
Problems haven’t disappeared but are on a trajectory of being addressed, with the mayor and municipal service increasing their pace.
On the significant revenue lost from issuing building permits—a responsibility now transferred to Nicosia’s EOA—Stavrinidis said this represents “a major modernisation challenge for Local Government, which we all want to succeed, whilst acknowledging that weaknesses exist that need correction”.
At Union of Municipalities level, Strovolos is claiming financial support for maintaining the main road network, “as now provided by the new Municipalities Law”. This work was previously done by the Public Works Department. The municipality’s position is that the road network maintenance amount should be included in the state grant to municipalities.
Another issue is the inflationary readjustment of the state grant. “Our position is that securing the administrative and financial autonomy of municipalities is important, so that the Reform benefits residents,” Stavrinidis said.
Tseriou Street works delayed five months
Works on Tseriou Street are proceeding normally, the mayor said. The eastern section of Phase A has been delivered to traffic, whilst works extend to the western section from the petrol station to Myrtiotissa Street. During school holidays, interventions at the junction with Strovolos Avenue were completed.
Any large-scale technical project faces difficulties and delays, Stavrinidis said. “On this project, mainly due to utilities, there was a delay of about five months. Utility coordination is required, daily traffic arrangements, observance of health and safety measures, and maintaining the road’s commercial viability.”
Traffic remains two-way, all premises and businesses are accessible, and “works proceed with the goal of best possible completion without needless inconvenience”. The disruption is temporary but the project’s benefits will be permanent, he added.
New social services building planned
A new Social Services building and nursery are planned on Piraios Street, where the Adult Centre of the Multifunctional Municipal Centre already operates. The new building will house a nursery responding to family needs, aiming to boost employment, and a Social Services Centre concentrating all Multifunctional Centre activities including the Counselling Centre, family and individual food support services, the Neighbourhood Social Worker and the Adult Centre.
ETEK is currently supporting the municipality for the architectural competition tender.
The former slaughterhouse plot on Makedonitissa Street, owned by the municipality, opens new development possibilities. A masterplan has been developed with Frederick University examining possibilities for property utilisation. Within the year, the municipal council will proceed with an architectural competition for implementing the chosen solution.
For the former SPE Strovolos buildings in the municipality’s historic core, a usage permit is already available. The small building has been upgraded and hosts European innovation and sustainability promotion programmes with the Cyprus Institute and University of Cyprus. After the main building is leased, a building upgrade is planned. “Our vision is for it to host activities of the municipality’s social programme and Strovolos Open School,” Stavrinidis said.
Seven parks to get sports upgrades
A tender has been awarded for upgrading sports facilities in seven municipal parks, following the Municipal Athletic Centre upgrade. Works have already been completed at Takis Zembylas park. Basketball court upgrades are planned at Acropolis, Skirona, Agnoumenon, Polydefki, El. Pantelidi and Agios Neofytos parks.
Within the next year, other park infrastructure will be upgraded, with plans for playground replacement and upgrades, flooring and lighting enhancement.
Pedieos park priority
Upgrading the Pedieos Linear Park is a priority, as the largest part of the urban park falls within Strovolos’s municipal boundaries. The project, undertaken by Strovolos with Nicosia and Lakatameia municipalities, aims to showcase the capital’s green lung.
“The design was done with absolute respect for the area’s biodiversity, the history of Pedieos, and its importance to residents and visitors. The Pedieos project is a comprehensive and sustainable approach to the Linear Park,” Stavrinidis said.
The park upgrade includes extensive planting of 19 hectares—equal to 27 football pitches. Sensors and smart city systems will be installed for safety and biodiversity protection, whilst accessibility will be enhanced with pedestrian bridges, new bicycle parking and other infrastructure.
The project is being implemented under the THALIA 2021-2027 cohesion policy programme, co-financed by the European Union, and is currently at the construction study stage.
Bridge contract expected in 2026
Within 2026, the construction contract is expected for the urban planning project at the Alexandroupolis Street bridge, to be implemented by the Public Works Department along with the primary road connecting Archangelos and Strovolos avenues.
The mayor acknowledges problems in the area due to heavy rainfall. Temporary traffic management measures are taken by police in such incidents, whilst municipal crews are on standby for extreme weather. At the Agia Marina bridge, no similar flooding problem is recorded.
Pet registration drive
On the fact that many pet owners don’t declare their pets to the municipality, leaving them unregistered, Stavrinidis said there is unfortunately a lack of awareness on the issue. Many citizens don’t realise the small amount of €20 per year “returns in practice to animal care and welfare”.
Last year, public awareness efforts were made. Notices were sent to dog owners registered with Veterinary Services with microchips to proceed with registration in the municipal registry. Owners who haven’t proceeded with dog marking and registration are given notices when detected by the Municipality’s Prevention Team. In case of non-compliance, extrajudicial fines are issued based on legislation provisions, with the aim being compliance not punishment.
Vision for European-standard municipality
Stavrinidis’s vision is “a Strovolos worthy of its residents. A municipality of European standards, with quality infrastructure, a complete pavement network, clean public spaces and upgraded greenery offering moments of joy and rest. A municipality with a human face, close to residents, that listens to their needs and responds to them”.
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