“The allocation of state funding was based on criteria that place Strovolos at a disadvantage,” Strovolos Mayor Stavros Stavrinides tells Politis, placing the issue of financing at the forefront at a time when the municipality is called upon to implement major infrastructure projects.
At the same time, works on Tseriou Avenue—causing daily disruption to thousands of drivers and residents—have been pushed back, with completion now expected in March 2027, provided no new unforeseen issues arise.
Despite the pressure, the mayor maintains that the municipality is on track to deliver significant interventions, such as the regeneration of the historic core and the largest pavement programme ever implemented. Against the backdrop of local government reform and expanded responsibilities, he also highlights the challenges as well as the priorities for the coming period.
On track for implementation
A year ago, in your first interview with Politis, you outlined an ambitious plan for Strovolos, with projects underway and steps aimed at improving residents’ daily lives. Based on current developments, where do things stand today?
We are currently on track with the implementation of two major infrastructure projects: the Tseriou Avenue works and the regeneration of Strovolos’ historic core. We stand alongside our residents and, together, we are transforming Strovolos through tangible projects.
The city’s image speaks for itself, reflecting the collective effort of the municipal council to improve everyday life. Complaint figures also point to progress, with 70% of issues reported to the municipality in the first quarter of 2026 either resolved or in the process of being addressed.
Commercial decline
You previously said that upgrades to Stavrou and Ifigeneias avenues were progressing, with the aim of boosting commercial activity. A year later, small businesses continue to close. What caused the delay, and when will professionals in the area see tangible results?
The upgrade of Stavrou Avenue is being promoted by the Department of Town Planning and Housing and is currently at the initial study stage. From the municipality’s side, topographical surveys of the commercial section are underway so they can be submitted to the department for the preparation of a regulatory plan.
We understand that businesses in the area are facing difficulties and that upgrading the area is important for strengthening commercial activity. However, projects of this nature require studies and approvals, which inevitably affect the implementation timetable. As for Ifigeneias Street, we have not yet received any update on how planning is progressing from the competent authority.
Delays on Tseriou
Residents continue to experience daily disruption. Can you explain exactly what is happening with the timelines? How much longer will patience be required?
There has been a delay in the Tseriou Avenue project; however, works are expected to be completed—barring unforeseen circumstances—in March 2027. Delays cannot always be predicted, as this is a live construction site where various factors may arise.
We assure residents that the municipality is acting, as far as possible, to avoid any unjustified delays.
Regarding the Alexandroupoleos bridge, you expected a tender to be issued in 2025. In 2026, the situation appears unchanged. When will residents see works begin?
The construction designs for the bridge on Alexandroupoleos Street, along with the primary road linking Archangelou and Strovolou avenues, were expected to be completed in 2025. These designs have now been finalised, and the project will be put out to tender within the current year. A feasibility study by the Department of Town Planning and Housing remains pending.
Progress in the historic core
The regeneration of Strovolos’ historic core has been under implementation since 12 January 2026 and is funded by the European Union and the THALEIA 2021–2027 Cohesion Policy Programme.
The project budget amounts to €5.6 million, including VAT. The contractor is Miltiades Neophytou Civil Engineering Contractors & Developers Ltd. Works are progressing well and on schedule in areas around the chapel of Agios Georgios and Agia Marina Street (Phase A).
Towards a more sustainable city
A year ago, you spoke about an extensive pavement programme and significant expenditure. Today, citizens still complain about gaps. Is there measurable improvement, or does the problem remain structural?
Our goal is to make the municipality more sustainable. Over the past year, we have implemented the largest pavement repair and construction contract ever undertaken, worth €2 million over two years.
The contract began in October 2025, and approximately €500,000 has been spent so far, covering interventions totalling 3,500 metres. So yes, there is measurable progress. For the first time, we are implementing a coordinated campaign in refugee housing areas, where large-scale repairs had not been carried out for quite some time.
The issue of pavements is indeed longstanding and extensive, but there is now stable funding, an annual contract and measurable output. I am not claiming it has been fully resolved, but progress is clearly recorded.
Connectivity and planning
You referred to “missing links” and new connections to the Linear Park. A year on, has anything tangible been achieved, or are we still at the planning stage?
The municipality has secured €235,000 in funding from the Ministry of Transport for the preparation of relevant studies, including the implementation of 30 km/h traffic-calming zones in the historic core and wider Nicosia area, as well as studies for cycling connections.
With these resources secured, the municipality can now move forward with planning these measures.
Lighting and smart systems
There were complaints about insufficient lighting and plans for an LMS system. Has anything been implemented in practice?
No serious or widespread complaints have been recorded regarding lighting or safety in the Linear Park. At present, the park’s lighting is connected to street lighting, and no smart management system is yet in operation.
The installation of a Light Management System (LMS) is included in the broader plan to upgrade the Pedieos Linear Park under the THALEIA 2021–2027 programme, implemented in cooperation with the municipalities of Lakatamia and Nicosia. This system will allow lighting to adapt to user presence, improving energy management and protecting biodiversity.
Strovolos on the move
The door-to-door programme was implemented in five primary schools. Are there measurable results? And, more importantly, what else has been done to reduce reliance on the private car?
The “Strovolos on the move” initiative is a new effort to reduce the use of private cars. In cooperation with the Ministry of Transport, we are collecting data on routes and the real needs of road users—particularly parents transporting children to afternoon activities—in order to provide targeted solutions and bring about meaningful change in the road network.
An awareness campaign is currently underway, inviting residents to submit their data via an online platform. Decisions will be taken based on the results.
Strovolos at a disadvantage
You had expressed strong disagreement with the criteria for the allocation of state funding. Has there been any correction, or does the municipality remain at a disadvantage?
The allocation of state funding was based on criteria that place Strovolos at a disadvantage. There was no horizontal increase across all municipalities, despite an overall increase of 55% in total funding—from €75.6 million before the reform to €117 million afterwards.
Criteria such as land area and population density were not given the weight they should have been, while greater emphasis was placed on factors such as remote or disadvantaged areas, as well as capital and metropolitan municipalities.
As a result, Strovolos—a purely urban municipality with high population density—saw its funding rise from €6.5 million to €9.3 million, an increase of 43%, as this criterion was weighted at just 8%.
The reform has also introduced new responsibilities, particularly the maintenance of the road network and primary roads. The additional €743,244 allocated for 2026 does not fully cover the associated costs.
Consultations are ongoing between the Union of Municipalities and the Ministries of Interior and Finance to establish a unified funding framework based on a fixed percentage of the state budget, taking inflation into account.
Furthermore, the level of funding to be provided by the Department of Environment for the transition to the “Pay As You Throw” scheme remains uncertain, and is expected to impose additional capital and operational costs on municipalities.
Digital transition
You were expecting the Smart Cyprus project to be awarded. Has there been progress? And how “smart” is Strovolos in practice today?
Beyond its participation in the national Smart Cyprus project, which aims to introduce smart parking systems, Strovolos has made significant progress in digitising its services.
Through the Novoville app, residents can submit complaints and suggestions instantly and track their progress in real time. Additionally, the municipality has digitised its central archive through the “Evagoras” programme of the Union of Municipalities of Cyprus and has upgraded its technological infrastructure with modern networking equipment, cybersecurity solutions and IP telephony.
Stray animals and infrastructure
The expansion of the shelter and incentives for sterilisations were part of the plan. Have they been implemented? Where do things stand?
The expansion of the temporary dog shelter in Paliometocho is underway. New exercise areas have already been constructed, and an application for licensing has been submitted.
At the same time, awareness actions are being carried out to address animal abandonment. The municipality also runs a sterilisation programme for stray cats, aiming to sterilise 500 cats annually at its own expense, while securing lower prices for residents through cooperating veterinarians.
Neighbourhood wardens
The neighbourhood warden scheme, presented as a solution to illegal waste disposal, has been in operation since 1 March. What are the results?
The number of wardens has increased from four to eight, each assigned to a specific geographical area, improving response times and strengthening the municipality’s presence in neighbourhoods. Staff have been trained and act as the municipality’s “eyes” on the ground.
They also have the authority to issue on-the-spot fines. The key objective, however, is a change in mindset—working together towards a cleaner, greener municipality and a better quality of life.
Cleanliness as a matter of mindset
You said that new reform tools would help reduce the problem. A year later, has there been improvement?
There has been noticeable improvement in the speed of identifying and managing abandoned vehicles and objects, largely due to the increased number of wardens.
The municipality is making full use of the tools provided by legislation, with continuous monitoring and action. Ultimately, the most important factor is changing public mentality, which will gradually happen through collective effort.
Fire safety responsibility
A year later, Fire Chief Nikos Longginos has claimed that 75% of factories do not comply with fire safety measures. As a municipality, what have you done?
Fire safety inspections fall under the responsibility of the Fire Service. Following local government reform, building licensing controls are no longer the municipality’s responsibility but fall under the Nicosia District Local Government Organisation, in accordance with the law.
However, the municipality remains in contact with the relevant authorities regarding industrial and commercial areas and reports any issues identified. Where problems are detected, the competent authorities proceed with inspections and require compliance, as provided by legislation.
This article was originally published on the Greek-language Politis website.