The Kyrenia and Ayios Epiktitos (Catalkoy) local councils are launching a survey among residents in preparation of the creation of the long-awaited Kyrenia blueprint.
According to a media release from the Kyrenia council, pollsters will be visiting homes in Kyrenia and Ayios Epiktitos asking the residents to fill a survey with economic and social questions. Head of the Kyrenia council Nidai Gungordu stated that the survey would help officials assess the area, its economic and social character, and therefore determine the vision for future investments.
He added that the survey would also help the local councils determine the current problems in Kyrenia and Ayios Epiktitos and go ahead with steps to increase the quality of life.
Gungordu called on residents to cooperate with the pollsters and give them the correct information to the best of their knowledge.
Due to the lack of a Blueprint, the Kyrenia region has become plagued with rapid, unplanned construction especially in the last couple of years after a ‘White Area Decree’ in 2011, allowed for up to 10-storey buildings in central and downtown Kyrenia.
Kyrenia local council, in cooperation with the Turkish Cypriot town planning department and the Ayios Epiktitos local council began work on a Kyrenia blueprint in March. The plan, which will help Kyrenia to be developed in the proper and orderly way, is expected to be finalised by February 2017.
‘White Area Decree’
The ‘White Area’ covers areas west of Ayioi Iliofotoi (Zeytinlik) to just after Kazafani (Ozankoy). The decree has been criticised by many non-governmental organisations, activists and journalists as a tool for unjust enrichment.
The unfettered development of Kyrenia’s landscape and the issue of overbuilding has been a sore point for a long time.
The Kyrenia region has seen the construction of 25 new 10-storey buildings in the last five years, with permission pending for two additional 10-storey apartment blocks.
Many believe Kyrenia’s landscape has rapidly changed from one of a coastal town to a city with multi-storey buildings in a matter of a few years.
The developments go hand-in-hand with parking issues, diminishing green areas and similar problems that are making life harder for the area’s residents.
A recent change to the ‘White Area Decree’ in February by the Turkish Cypriot interior office served as a temporary remedy until the plan is completed.
The change reduced the height of new buildings to seven storeys’ from 10, while introducing new criteria for the density of buildings in an effort to ease congestion.
However, there is concern that the new right-wing National Unity Party UBP-Democratic Party DP coalition in the north may abandon the change by the former coalition and once again implement the ‘White Area Decree.’
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