Integrated Sustainable Urban Development in Cyprus: EU Regional Funds Projects

1. EUKN POLICY LABThe European and Global Urban Agendas and their Relevance for Cyprus European Regional Development Fund Examples of Integrated Urban Interventions Christiana Syzinou European Funds Unit Ministry of Interior, Cyprus

2. CONTENT • Introduction • Reasoning for Integrated Sustainable Urban Development • Indicative actions • Examples of completed projects (2007-2013) • Examples of ongoing projects (2014-2020)

3. Introduction European Funds Unit • IB for Priority Axis Sustainable Urban Development of the OP “Competitiveness and sustainable development” 2014-2020 (€120million) • Evaluation of the projects in cooperation with the Local Authorities • Monitoring the progress of the projects etc

4. Reasoning for Integrated Sustainable Urban Development Problems Cities Face • Economic (recession, poverty, unemployment) • Social (aging, immigrants) • Environmental (sustainable transport, parking) • Cultural (cultural centers, accessibility to sites) • Other Urban (green spaces, facades/roofs, noise, shading)

5. CY ISUD AXIS THEMATIC OBJECTIVES

6. Specific Objectives in Urban Areas • Encouragement of business activity (3a) • Improvement of the attractiveness of areas of cultural interest (6c) • Regeneration of the build environment (6e) • Improvement of mobility (7c) • Enhancement of Social Services (9b)

7. Indicative actions under Specific Objectives Encouragement of business activity (3a) • Redeveloping and reusing of traditional municipality markets • The provision of modern information and communications technologies • The creation of Entrepreneurship Centres. • Interventions in commercial neighbourhoods and the creation of organised spaces for the promotion of local traditional products.

8. Indicative actions under Specific Objectives Improvement of the attractiveness of areas of cultural interest (6c) • Restoration, enhancement and reuse of existing cultural buildings • Creation of new cultural /multipurpose centers • Cultural walks for the exploitation and promotion of religious, historical and cultural elements • Restoration of other buildings of the cultural Reserve of urban areas (e.g. traditional hostels) and the development of new uses of a cultural character

9. Indicative actions under Specific Objectives Regeneration of the build environment of deprived areas (6e) • Restoration of the facades/roofs • Regeneration of squares or other open public spaces to improve the accessibility • Pedestrianization, restoration and maintenance of built environment in deprived areas • Regeneration of deprived neighborhoods and upgrade of their specific unique and cultural elements of their built environment • The creation or upgrading of green spaces and gardens

10. Indicative actions under Specific Objectives Improvement of mobility (7c) • Creation/extension of cycle paths • Extension and upgrading of networks of pedestrian streets • Interventions and improvement of the infrastructure and the quality of the roads and traffic arrangements • Interventions to improve the mobility of people with disabilities • Upgrading of traffic lighting systems in junctions and crossings for pedestrians/cyclists

11. Indicative actions under Specific Objectives Improvement of Social Services (9b) • Upgrading of the services provided to elderly • The establishment of Centers for Creative Aging • Reception Centers for the homeless • The renovation of unused buildings to accommodate social services

12. 2014-2020Implementation Project Selection Process- Priority Axis 6 • preparation and adoption/approval of the Strategic Plans for an Integrated Sustainable Urban Development • Variation in the distribution of responsibilities to Local Authorities (Municipalities)  

13. Implementation 2 Process for the Adoption of the Strategic Plans • Invitation to the local authorities for drafting the Strategic Plansby TPH • Preparation of Strategic plansby LA • Evaluation • Adoption of Strategic plans

14. Implementation 3 Project selection process • Designation of the Local Authorities as Intermediary Bodies • Preparation and publication of calls • Evaluation of proposals • Validation of proposal evaluation • Issue of the Project Financing Decisions • Complaints handling.

15. Examples of completed projects (2007-2013) • New Pedestrian Zones • Improved traffic management • Restoration of Streets, Buildings, squares and other public spaces • New street furniture and tree planting • New electricity, telecommunications and water connections/provisions • Preservations and highlight of the traditional architecture of historic centers • Restoration and reuse of traditional buildings for cultural use 11 projects-€109million

16. Examples of completed projects (2007-2013) • Creation of dynamic in towns • Entrepreneurship strengthening • New Business Attraction • Jobs creation • Attractiveness for residents and visitors • Youth attraction • Air quality for residential and commercial areas • Development of private Initiative (houses/shops restoration) • Redefining of the historical centers as a place of different uses (entertainment, recreation, cultural activities) • Preservation of environment and cultural identity

17. …and of course there are more to comeThank you Christiana Sizinou European Funds Unit Tel: + 357 22409920  csizinou@moi.gov.cy http://www.moi.gov.cy/efu