64 RESUSTAIN
Conclusions
We can see that the intentions of the project were to promote all aspects of sustainable development in the city of Nicosia. The public square is a project that can offer entertainment to all people independently of their income or social class. Especially if it is supported with additional infrastructure which make it physically and visibly accessible. In addition, a project like this, which makes the movement of pedestrians in the city more comfortable, can reduce the use of car and subsequently reduces the carbon emissions related to traffic. A landmark of iconic architecture can attract more tourism in Cyprus, which is, still, one of the main sources of income in our economy. However, bad management and wrong decisions affected negatively, for the moment, all of those aspects (society, economy and environment). Cypriots are not excited for the new project, but, rather, disappointed. Especially knowing that, in March 2013, while this project was at its beginning, many of them were losing their savings and jobs. A project that was intended, initially, to cost 6.5 million euros, then it was designed to cost 23 million and costed 37 million up to 2017 (without the underground parking in Omirou street). A feeling of trust and security of the public towards politicians and decision-makers is a key factor for social sustainability. In addition, we should consider that there are many other social and environmental projects that could be realised with the money that was spent on this project. The environmental cost from the construction of this project is quite important if we consider that
construction sector is responsible for a large percentage of CO2 emissions. The chosen materials in combination with the volume of this monumental piece of architecture are responsible for a large quantity of CO2 emissions, even if we consider only the production of the materials. The extended period of construction and cost shows that there had to be done additional works and transportations. Finally, the road diversions for the construction of this project have caused traffic jams, everyday, since 2012 and this led to additional CO2 emissions. Regardless the good intentions, the project seems to fail in all three main pillars of sustainability: The architects meant to provide a environmental friendly square with plenty of vegetation, the square however will be responsible for an increase in carbon emissions, they meant to attract people, however the long absence of the square in any form from the life of the city has estranged people with this part of the city, while the project has totally failed economically as it ended to be very expensive in construction and apparently costly in maintenance. We can’t say, with certainty, if Nicosia will, eventually, be benefited from this project or not. What we can say is that, it will take time to counteract the negative results that it caused in social, economic and environmental sectors and, according to the theory of sustainable development, it cannot be considered a sustainable project.
