The goal, as explained by the president of EVEA George Mavroudis, is to redesign Famagusta in such a way that it can become a pole of attraction for young people, to become a horizon beyond 50-100 years, to create a modern city while maintaining the character of.
The EVEA leadership recently met with Mustafa Akinci and asked him to allow experts to enter the closed city to scientifically examine the behavior of the building materials of its buildings, more than 42 years after the invasion and occupation.
You recently presented to the Town Planning at the invitation of the Reconstruction Council the ideas of the Famagusta Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the future development and reconstruction of Famagusta…
Yes, it was an initiative of EVEA together with the bi-communal group for Famagusta. Our vision for the next day of return was recorded.
How did the idea start?
These proposals were presented at the invitation of the Reconstruction Council to participate together, as a city body, in the preliminary planning for the return. The idea was started by troubled Famagustans and concerns views on what will happen the next day. Discussions took place, thoughts and opinions were expressed, we also talked to Turkish Cypriot businessmen from Famagusta about how we see the operation of Famagusta after the solution, since the city functionally believes that it should be treated as a whole.
What do your suggestions include?
Problems are recorded, but also thoughts for solutions. For example, how to deal with erosion of the coastal front and increase the beach? The answer was given by Barcelona with its own experience. Another issue is transport. A tram connecting the two sides will have to operate so that the city can continue to function as a single entity, regardless of the administrative structure it will take after the solution.
Did you touch on the issue of the port and the creation of a marina?
Yes, our assessment from old studies has been that the port as it is today can not function as a commercial one. Modern ships can not dock, and it is very dangerous with modern machinery to damage the Venetian walls. If the Turkish Cypriots decide to make a new commercial port, it should be further north. The port of Famagusta as we knew it could become a marina or a cruise port.
Are you asking for the whole city within the walls to be declared an ancient UNESCO monument?
Yes, but not officially. It must be requested by a third country, which will also take the initiative.
Has not found a third country?
Unfortunately not yet, there must be the consent of the two leaders so that the country that will take the initiative is not exposed.
Are there any reactions?
No, but it may not be the right time for the conversation to unfold.
Is it the right time to discuss the vision for the reconstruction of Famagusta?
I believe so, because if we accept the words of the President of the Republic recently in the House of Representatives, 2016 will be a catalytic time for the solution of the Cyprus problem, so the time we have left is limited. The thoughts and suggestions that are made can be described as an exercise on paper, but they should be done in time and at the end of the day there should be as much preparation as possible.
Of course, all this also requires political decisions.
Yes, there is information for the political leadership, our negotiating team and they encourage us to move forward with the Reconstruction Council to get as far as we can, because some issues can not be addressed in a broader urban planning because there is no information. , such as the issue of the closed area of Famagusta. The contribution of the people of Famagusta themselves should be an important innovative process.
Is that why you met last week with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci?
It was an initiative taken by the Turkish Cypriots from Famagusta with whom we participate in the bi-communal initiative. There was a free discussion with Mr. Akindzi regarding the issue of Famagusta. Speaking about the possibility of resolving the Cyprus issue, he said that 2016 will be a critical year and perhaps the only one during which it could be resolved. He told us that he ran in the "elections" of the Turkish Cypriot leadership in order to be able to resolve the Cyprus issue.
Mustafa Akinci's firm position was to give back to its legal inhabitants the closed city of Famagusta. Did you raise this issue?
As this issue probably touches on future territorial adjustments and the talks are in a process of development, with this issue now being discussed, he was very sensitive about the closed area of Famagusta. However, we asked Mustafa Akinci to bring experts to the closed city to scientifically examine the behavior of building materials. To record after 42 years how the buildings that remained at the mercy of nature, in the rain, in the salt of the sea behaved. The opportunity should be given to make a record by academics of how iron, brick, concrete, etc. behaved. Mr. Akinci, due to the fact that he is also an architect, realized the importance of such research from an academic point of view and promised to discuss it with President Anastasiadis. Of course, permission must also be given by the Turkish Army.
Why is there a view that Famagusta is a difficult city to return to?
Regarding the issue of return in general, Famagusta will be the most difficult in terms of the fact that part of it has been closed for 42 years and the rest is inhabited by Turkish Cypriots and settlers. Therefore, there should be agreements in advance so that those living in Greek Cypriot homes can find the appropriate place for their resettlement. This process will take some time, it will not be done the next day. In the fenced area of Famagusta, which remained closed for 42 years, new infrastructure will have to be created such as hospitals, administration buildings or the infrastructure, electricity, sewerage, water must be repaired, all of which require a large cost to be done. but they are necessary for people to be able to return to their homes.
Do you see the people of Famagusta returning?
How many are alive today? If my parents, for example, decide that they want to return home and live, it will be their choice. I believe that Famagusta should be redesigned in such a way that it can become a pole of attraction for young people, who can settle in the city that will give them the opportunity to be employed. The design of Famagusta must be done with a horizon beyond 50-100 years, to create a modern city while maintaining its character.
It is possible;
Yes, these two things could be combined, looking at what a modern city is in the long run, taking into account the relevant idea of the "smart city", which is purely a matter of technological upgrades. For example the traffic system in the city when there is traffic congestion, the recording of water, electricity, bus traffic are all part of a smart city which is not something we will discover, there are already great applications such as in Barcelona and Stockholm. Personally, I see that Famagusta should become a pole of attraction for young people.
What is your relationship with the Turkish Cypriots?
Our relations are good. Discussing in recent years with the Turkish Cypriots, they also see that the issue of the reconstruction of Famagusta is very important as well as its function as a single city.
Is there a special mobilization of the Turkish Cypriots for Famagusta?
Yes, the fact that they have a very large university, its students number 30.000, may also play a role. All these students live in Famagusta seven months a year. In the summer when the university is closed, the city almost dies.
Famagusta, which was a pioneer in the tourism sector today, was turned into a campus?
Yes, and this creates seasonal problems, which is why we believe that the new Famagusta should be a pole of attraction for young people where they can do business in new areas such as technology, alternative tourism, etc. In addition, Famagusta has the largest concentration of monuments. It is Salamis, Apostolos Barnabas, Engomi, Alasia, the city within the walls, the Venetian walls, all these make the greatest archeological concentration.
What is the identity of the city that must be preserved?
The response we get from the world, especially from the older generations, is that they do not want to change anything in Famagusta. This is an emotional view because the city after 42 years of occupation can not be the same. The traditional center of the city could be preserved, such as for example the old market, the Grocery of Famagusta, Ermou Street, Dimokratias Street, the Lyceum of Greek Women, the First High School of Famagusta. The GSE could become a park.
Famagusta was the city of orange…
Yes, the city with the windmills, which are no longer left.
The bi-communal study "Hands on Famagusta" has been completed, which includes the model from Salamina to Deryneia…
Yes, this study has been done in collaboration with academics of the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Cyprus and academics from the occupied territories. The study has recorded all the buildings that exist in Famagusta. The height of each construction, how many floors it is. Thousands of hours were spent by volunteers, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots of architectural schools. The purpose was to record all the buildings, because buildings that did not have the final approvals are not presented in the maps of the Land Registry.
Was the closed city also recorded?
Because access was not possible, the buildings were recorded via satellite and various other tools. By determining the shadow of the buildings at the moment, the heights of the buildings were calculated. The study allows Internet users to put their own ideas about Famagusta. It can be found on the Internet under the name "Hands on Famagusta".
What is the response?
Very positive, especially from young people who visit the site. Famagusta has been divided into several parts so you can see it. For example, the city within the walls, another part the coastal front, another part the port, the area of Agios Memnon, the area of Agios Loukas. It is an interactive model that allows you to see how it is right now and put your own ideas for Famagusta. A new video is released that develops the whole program. Famagusta has always been at the forefront of the political issue.
The people of Famagusta were for years with a suitcase under their bed…
Yes, which in the end unfortunately stuck. Many times, especially in the first years, we said that today or tomorrow we will return to Varosi. What these studies and initiatives achieve is that people think about the next day. People, after so many 42 years, have now begun to worry about the difficulties they will have to face the day after their return.
Such as;
As if a settler lives in my house, how soon will I be able to return? It is a reflection. If my house is in the closed city of Famagusta, how soon will I be able to go and what repairs should I do? Can repairs be made?
Who will pay the cost to build your house?
To be honest, I do not believe that the heavens will open and money will run on a personal level to repair our homes. These will come from the owners.
Will the banks give loans?
My assessment is that yes. Speaking with a specific bank, he has shown great interest in the possible solution of the Cyprus problem and the reconstruction of Famagusta. A hotel that was a living business, tomorrow when there is a solution will need repair, I believe that the banks will be able, perhaps in cooperation with foreigners, to finance the reconstruction of Famagusta. But we still do not know how much money will be needed.
Is this a matter of policy or yours?
It is certainly not the politicians who will find the cost, which is why the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have been instructed to make a first estimate of the cost of the solution. Especially Famagusta, which has had its closed part for 42 years, the cost of reconstruction will be the highest.
What actions can you take as a Chamber of Commerce and Industry?
Our role is informative. With the various studies that have been done and are being done, people should be systematically informed in order to prepare for a possible solution and what they will face. We attach great importance to informing the public, which is why a joint presentation was recently made in the Town Planning of the vision of EVEA the day after the solution and the study of "Hands of Famagusta". All these initiatives will help people to understand and think about the next solution.
What will be your next move?
At the invitation of the Reconstruction Council, working groups will be set up that can record the problems and present solutions. One problem is the sewerage, another the coastal front, the traffic, the public buildings, we want hospitals, schools, all this will be recorded in categories, there will be discussions between the professionals involved such as architects, urban planners, etc. to express views on possible solutions. The proposals that will be made can be differentiated.
Do you feel that this time is different?
Yes, because the declared positions of the two leaders have given the stigma that 2016 will be a catalyst for the solution. If this year passes without reaching a solution, I believe that the future chances for a solution will be almost non-existent.
Interview with Antigoni Solomonidou Drousiotou
Source: Liberal