Larnaca 2030, Presentation on Larnaca Sustainability, 22 Jan 2025

 

Larnaca – Green, Blue and colourful

The path to sustainability

 

Larnaca's journey towards defining its identity is truly fascinating! From being seen as an "underdeveloped poor relative of the other cities” to embracing its unique characteristics, the city has undergone significant transformations.

Until recently locals took pride in the city's rich history, with its consulates, aristocrats, the philosopher Zeno, and General Kimon, and accepted projects like the construction of the oil refinery and the small port, and Marina, as adequate gifts not demanding what the city really deserved.

The arrival of refugees in 1974 began to change the city's dynamics. Larnaca became the city hosting the majority of the refugees and the city of the sole airport of the state since the upgrading of an old colonial airstrip into the main airport of the country.

Over time, with growing awareness of climate change and the green transition, the city rediscovered its salt lakes, becoming known as the city of Alykes!

For years, Larnaca lacked a clear identity and vision, receiving little assistance or guidance from the state moving forward slowly and unsustainably.. Therefore, we had to proceed on our own.

Since the first decade of the new century with the assistance and guidance of internationally renowned consultants on projects funded by the EU, Larnaca has turned towards sustainable planning. The result was the development of Sustainable Urban Development Plans that defined a vision and identity for city. The latest Strategic Plan, which included the neighbouring municipalities and communities, now part of the expanded Larnaca Municipality, the 'Sustainable Urban Development Strategy for Larnaka 2021-2030' set three new development pillars for the city: Larnaca Blue City, Larnaca Green City, and Larnaca Humane City.

Larnaca can rightfully become the Blue capital city of the country, with its extensive sea shore, salt lakes, and Voroklini lake. The aquatic element in addition to its touristic and environmental attractiveness, offers economic opportunities in fisheries, shipping, marine archaeology, marine biology, and marine research and innovation. The establishment of the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI) in 2019 in Larnaca with its important achievements in Research and Innovation Nationally and Internationally has given Larnaca the driver’s seat in Blue Economy.

The planned creation of the School of Marine Sciences, Technology, and Sustainable Development of the Cyprus University of Technology, together with the long-awaited port and marina upgrades, confirm the city's leadership in the Blue economy!

Larnaca has also made significant strides towards the green transition, improving urban environment, resilience to climate change, promoting sustainable transportation, and waste management. Projects like small urban parks, the creation of the Salina Park, the regeneration of the Patichio Park, energy-efficient street lighting, energy buildings, waste sorting, an environmental centre, and the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan are transforming the city.

It's inspiring to see how Larnaca has evolved and continues to strive for a sustainable and vibrant future. It is of utmost importance that the projects identified to achieve the new vision of the city through the realization of the three pillars are based on the principles of sustainability, namely the cyclic economy, reserving resources for the new generations, mitigating the climate change, enhancing quality of life, and thus protecting and preserving the environment. Without sustainability our cities, our countries, our planet is destined for total destruction! We are fortunate that the faculty of Sustainable Development of the new School of CUT in Larnaca will nurture young scientists towards sustainable solutions.

Larnaca is Blue, Larnaca is Green. And together with the orange of the sunset over Stavrovouni, the pink of the flamingos, and the vibrant colours of local sports teams make Larnaca colourful. All these colours combine to create white, symbolizing light, purity, perfection, security, and prosperity. Colourful Larnaca is on a path to Sustainable success!