RehabiMed training course: REHABILITATION OF THE URBAN LANDSCAPE 7-14 November 2005, Nicosia DIAGNOSIS AND INTERVENTION ON URBAN FAÇADES THE NICOSIA EXAMPLE Athina Papadopoulou architect-conservator Introduction-Bi-communal projects Restoration of façades in urban regeneration Development Schemes and other public actions which involve restoration of façades Diagnosis and Intervention on Façades in Nicosia NMP Interventions The Philosophy NMP Interventions The Process Three Case Studies 1
Bi-Communal Projects Building bridges between the two communities 1978: Agreement for the preparation of a common sewerage system Finding ways of collaboration in order to resolve the problems of the divided city 1979: Agreement for the preparation of a common master plan for the city The Nicosia Master Plan Team 1981: A bi-communal multidisciplinary team of national and international experts was formed in order to prepare a physical Master Plan for Nicosia Study Area Aim: To improve the present and future living conditions of all the inhabitants of Nicosia 2
A DIVIDED CAPITAL Major urban issues: The division of the town into two separate urban parts The abandonment of the city s core adjoining the buffer zone The extensive urban sprawl towards the outskirts The Nicosia Master Plan A FLEXIBLE PLAN ADAPTABLE TO CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES First phase :1981-84 Formulation of a general planning strategy for Greater Nicosia Second phase: 1985 Preparation of a detailed operational plan for the City Centre 3
THE HISTORIC CENTRE Third phase: The walled city constitutes a common heritage for all the communities of Nicosia The historic centre is considered by the NMP team as the most important and precious part of the city For many years this area is subject to physical decay and socio-economic decline Revision Through continued dialogue and with the assistance of planning experts, the NMP team is currently revising the original Plan in light of the developments over the last twenty years, the needs of the city s contemporary users and the challenges posed by future development. The NMP New Vision initiative will define new short and long-term initiatives that will bolster the city s development as a centre of economic activity based on Nicosia s rich cultural heritage. REHABILITATION POLICY Preservation and rehabilitation as a multi-dimensional process Objectives: Protection of the architectural heritage Development and traffic management in harmony with the scale of the historic centre Rehabilitation of old residential neighbourhoods and provision of community facilities Revitalisation of the commercial core and increase of employment opportunities 4
Architectural Objectives Inventory of Architectural heritage Preservation and conservation of individual buildings and groups of buildings, with distinct historical, architectural and environmental qualities Restoration of façades in urban regeneration Urban regeneration is a multifaceted field of work which should deal with and resolve, economic, social, planning, architectural, conservation and heritage issues in order to be successful. The restoration of façades is only one of the tools to be used in this context. Restoring façades: - will provide the upgrading and enhancement of the physical environment at streetscape level - can save important architectural features - may raise consciousness of inhabitants about maintaining the quality of the built environment The restoration of façades will not magically revitalize an area unless used together with other regeneration actions to tackle economic and social problems. 5
Development Schemes and other public actions which involve restoration of façades in Nicosia Restoration of façades implemented by the Nicosia Master Plan funded by the Government and foreign donors. Economic incentives for shop-keepers in the walled city from the District Office of Nicosia. 5.000 ( 8.600) per shop façade. NMP office facilitates District Office scheme by approving proposals and conducting on site supervision minimizing time otherwise required for planning permission. NMP publication of illustrated guidelines for façade restoration addressed to property owners (funded by European Union through UNDP/ UNOPS-PFF). Diagnosis and Intervention on Façades in Nicosia Priority projects specified within the NMP objectives for urban rehabilitation of the walled city. Areas of façade restoration determined according to Architectural significance and degree of degradation Creating links between completed or proposed rehabilitation projects Availability of access to properties 6
NMP Interventions the Philosophy Safeguarding the authenticity of each façade Restoration of original elements to the degree possible Respect to historic phases Use of compatible and reversible materials and methods Accommodation of contemporary utilitarian needs such as public utility systems Public participation for the development of the proposal NMP Interventions the Process Historic research conducted Documentation and diagnosis of architectural and structural condition Research on materials carried out if necessary Coordination with public utility authorities Consultation with property owners Proposal of interventions developed, drawings and specifications and bills of quantities produced Public tender procedure carried out for private contractors Implementation and site supervision 7
Three Case Studies 1. Restoration of the façades of 18 residences in Archbishop Filotheou Street. 2. Improvement of building facades and shop windows in Onasagorou and Phaneromeni Streets. 3. Rehabilitation of Old Nicosia : The Phaneromeni Area, Phase I. 1. Restoration of the facades of 18 residences in Archbishop Filotheou Street Duration of project: November 2000- November 2001 Two construction contracts, north and south side of street Primarily ground floor residences Public utilities remained above ground Permission for interventions from owners and tenants obtained Tender procedures and award to two private contractors Funding from USAID through UNDP/UNOPS-Bi-communal Development Programme 8
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2. Improvement of building facades and shop windows in Onasagorou and Phaneromeni Streets. Project implemented in 2004 District Office of Nicosia economic incentives scheme for restoration of façades- 150.000,00 ( 260.000,00) available / 30 shop owners participated Permission for interventions from owners and tenants obtained Proposal and implementation by NMP following tender procedures for private contractor Partial underground placement of public utility infrastructure 10
3. Rehabilitation of Old Nicosia : The Phaneromeni Area, Phase I. Project implemented during June 2003-June 2004 Three construction contracts, two for façade restoration and one for redesign of roads and public utilities infrastructure-total cost 850.000,00 ( 1.500.000,00) Permission for interventions from owners and tenants obtained Proposal and implementation by NMP following tender procedures for private contractor Funding from European Union through UNDP/UNOPS-Partnership for the Future 11
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Restoring façades will remain skindeep if it is not part of a greater network of regeneration actions working towards the sustainable revitalization of the city. 14