EUKN Policy Lab Compact City Planning Instruments “The development of positive planning in Cyprus, the present existing instruments in use and first thoughts to improve it” Theodoros Hadjigeorgiou Town Planner Officer A’ Assembly Member & NFP EUKN EGTC

1. Cyprus: Existing Situation Regulation and management of Development through: Local Plans Planning Instruments Urban Sprawl: (a) Problems with: Affordable public transport Affordable housing Accessible public services

The National Strategic Reference Framework for Cohesion Policy programming document for Cyprus 1.Land speculation, adequate access 2. Traffic problems and almost total absence of public transport systems 3. Parking problems 4. Lack of adequate cultural and community facilities and amenities 5. Lack of enough urban parks, green areas and public spaces 6. Lack of adequate public infrastructure in tourist areas 7. Lack of enough urban parks, green areas and public spaces 8. Delays in the implementation of urban infrastructure 9. Degradation of the urban space and environment 10. Lack of basic urban utilities 11. Mixing of incompatible uses

Urban Sprawl:(b) Impact (OECD) in: Social cohesion Economic value Environment value Urban Sprawl:(c) leads to greater distances, generating more demand for travel and expenditure on improving transport systems. leads to changes in urban densities, most commonly a reduction in densities in the urban core and an increase in densities towards the periphery. usually involves the conversion of previously rural land into urban use 2. Urban Sprawl

3. Existing Planning Instruments The Department of Town Planning and Housing: Develops a limited number of social housing units Reconstructs villages destroyed by earthquake (Statos - Ayios Photios), land sliding (Kivides) or dam construction (Alassa) Develops new housing areas and subdivisions for the displaced families due to the Turkish invasion in Cyprus in 1974 Supports housing schemes by advising District Officers Plays also a leading role in the rehabilitation of historic centres Promotes the Urban Land Consolidation (U.L.C.) bill Through Local plans provides incentives for the development of affordable housing The District Officers The Cyprus Land Development Corporation Cyprus Housing Financing Agency

4. Compact City Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Compact City characteristics: i)Dense and proximate development patterns; ii)Urban areas linked by an efficient public transport systems; and iii)Accessibility to local services and jobs Contributions of Compact Cities: i)Shorter intra-urban travel distances; ii)Less automobile dependency; iii)More district-wide energy utilisation and local energy generation; iv)Optimal use of land resources and more opportunity for urban-rural linkages; v)More efficient public services delivery; and vi)Better access to a diversity of local services and jobs.

Compact city includes a focus on: urban regeneration the revitalisation of urban cores the promotion of public and non-motorized transport extensive environmental controls, and high standards of urban management. Compact city policy targets: higher urban densities mixed-use and urban design quality

Compact city policies: Regulatory Fiscal Direct investment Partnership Informative Compact city policy strategy: Explicit policy goals by encouraging an urban area-wide strategic planning Encourage dense development Retrofit existing built-up areas Enhance diversity and quality of life Minimising adverse negative effects Compact city legislative and institutional instruments: Fiscal and monetary policy settings Administrative and institutional structures

Questions for exploration: What are the incentives that local/ planning authorities can provide to the private sector to play a more active role in the urban development of Cyprus and achieve the objectives of local development plans? What are the policy tools that can improve the practice of urban planning in Cyprus and guarantee a sustainable development of Cypriot urban areas?

Thank you