**Nicosia Mayor Calls for Greater Public Engagement in Local Plan Consultations**
Nicosia, Cyprus – Mayor Charalambos Prountzos has emphasized the need for increased public participation in the consultations regarding the city’s new local plan. Speaking on Friday, Prountzos expressed a particular desire to engage more young people in the process, stating, “Participation is a sign of a healthy society.”
The mayor's call for involvement comes after two consultations held at the Melina Merkouri Hall in central Nicosia and the municipal theatre in Ayios Dhometios. These sessions aimed to inform residents and organized groups about the planning process while gathering their feedback on the proposed local plan. Prountzos described the consultations as “excellent,” noting that each session lasted over three hours and featured a 20-minute presentation by the municipality’s advisers, followed by extensive public input.
To facilitate ongoing engagement, the municipality has implemented several digital tools. Participants can submit their views through a QR code and an online link created for this purpose. Additionally, comments can be made via the town planning department’s Ippodamos platform. Despite the relatively good turnout so far, Prountzos acknowledged that there is still room for improvement, particularly in attracting younger demographics.
“Participation is a central policy in an era of disengagement and social alienation,” he remarked, underscoring the importance of community involvement in the planning process. The mayor noted that the municipality’s technical team, which is the largest in Cyprus, is currently drafting the proposal for the new local plan. This team includes urban planners, transport planners, architects, engineers, and other specialists.
Once the proposal is finalized, it will be presented to the municipal council for approval, which will determine the final content of the submission. However, Prountzos raised concerns about the tight timetable set by the interior ministry and the town planning council, describing it as “very tight.” The deadline for submissions is October 18, following the circulation of the initial report in mid-June.
In light of the challenging timeline, both the municipality and the union of municipalities have requested a brief extension to the deadline, but they have yet to receive a response. “In any case, we are working to submit the application on time,” Prountzos assured, adding that it is essential for the process to be well-documented and transparent, especially given that many years have passed since the previous local plan was adopted.
The mayor's initiative reflects a broader commitment to fostering civic engagement and ensuring that the voices of all residents, particularly the youth, are heard in shaping the future of Nicosia. As the consultations progress, the municipality hopes to see increased participation and input from the community, reinforcing the idea that collective involvement is key to a thriving urban environment.